Kirk Ferentz previously set an expectation that Cade McNamara would be back and ready to roll for Iowa’s Week 11 game. However, that has not happened.

At his Tuesday press conference, the head coach announced the quarterback would not be ready to go for the trip to UCLA. While the absence of McNamara leaves the Hawkeyes thin at QB, it at least leaves the QB1 dilemma for a different day.

“Cade will not make the game. He will not be ready to go,” announced Ferentz. “So hopefully during the bye week we can get him back.”

Ferentz also labeled star tight end Luke Lachey as questionable for the game. He gave Lachey a chance to go but also said Iowa is preparing as if he will not be available.

“Luke I think has a chance. He’s practicing a little bit limited right now but practicing. We’ll see how it goes this week, I think he’s close,” Ferentz claimed. “But we have to plan to go without him and the guys stepping in to work at his spot have done a nice job.”

As for the QB position, fans are probably hoping there would not be any dilemma at all after the Wisconsin game. Brendan Sullivan, who has played regularly in tandem with McNamara, started and played the entire game to near-perfection.

Sullivan was efficient with his passing numbers with a turnover and provided a dual-threat with his legs as expected. His presence seemed to unlock the offense with strong numbers across the board, including red-zone efficiency, as the Hawkeyes scored 42 points in a rout of the Badgers.

Ferentz would not commit to Sullivan as the full-time starter after that performance, but it looks like the decision has resolved itself for this week.