When you drop a twenty into a jukebox and play the same track on repeat, you get a pretty good sense of what's coming next. That's exactly the feeling surrounding the Iowa Hawkeyes as they enter another season. The question marks and storylines feel like a broken record: can the offense finally find enough rhythm to take the pressure off a defense that's always championship-caliber?

USA TODAY Sports has taken note, slotting the Hawkeyes into their too-early top 25 at No. 21 following spring practice. But the ranking comes with a familiar caveat—the offense remains a major question mark. For what feels like the last decade, Iowa's success has hinged on whether the offense can hover around 30 points per game, and this year that challenge is amplified with a new quarterback under center.

The battle for the starting job is between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown, both of whom split reps during Iowa's open spring practice. True to form, head coach Kirk Ferentz has kept things tight-lipped, and neither signal-caller has pulled ahead to stake a clear claim. Whichever one wins the job, though, will have a major advantage: a loaded backfield that ranks among the best in the Big Ten. That ground game should help ease the transition and keep the offense moving.

While the offense searches for answers, the defense is a different story. Even with key contributors moving on, Phil Parker's unit is expected to churn out another elite season. The strength lies in the secondary, where Zach Lutmer and Deshaun Lee lead the way. Lutmer is a true chess piece—he'll line up at safety, outside corner, slot corner, and even drop into the box against the run. That kind of versatility is a luxury that keeps Iowa in every game.

At No. 21, the ranking feels fair for a team with a proven defense and a backfield to lean on. The season will come down to whether the offense can finally change the tune. For Hawkeyes fans, it's the same song—but maybe this year, they'll get a new verse.