Coaches Poll Week 6: Hawkeyes Slide After Ohio State Loss, But Iowa Still in Top 25 Mix
The latest Coaches Poll has been a sore spot for college football fans all season, and Week 6 brings another chance for the voters to clean up their act. For Iowa fans, the big question is where the Hawkeyes land after a tough 31-14 loss to Ohio State in Columbus.
Our projection has Iowa dropping from No. 14 to No. 16, a modest slide that keeps the Hawkeyes firmly in the top 25 conversation. With a 4-1 record and a schedule that still features winnable Big Ten matchups, Iowa remains a factor in the conference race.
Iowa's Position After the Ohio State Loss
The Hawkeyes went into the Shoe and took their first loss of the season, falling to a talented Buckeyes squad. It wasn't a blowout, and Iowa showed fight, but the loss stings for a team with Big Ten title aspirations.
Dropping just two spots in our projection reflects the reality that Iowa is still one of the better teams in the country. The loss to Ohio State, currently ranked No. 6 in our projection, is nothing to be ashamed of. The Hawkeyes' defense remains stout, and the offense showed enough flashes to keep hope alive for the rest of the season.
What the Coaches Poll Got Wrong Last Week
Last week's Coaches Poll raised eyebrows across the country. LSU sat one spot ahead of Ole Miss, despite the Rebels beating the Tigers the week before. Oregon checked in at 15th while Oklahoma State fell out of the top 25 entirely. And the most glaring error: Penn State at 22nd while Wisconsin, a team that just won in Happy Valley, sat at 34th.
The Badgers' only loss came at the hands of Notre Dame, yet they were ranked nearly a dozen spots behind a Penn State team they beat on the road. It was the kind of ranking that makes fans question whether voters are actually watching the games.
Week 6 Coaches Poll Prediction: The Big Movers
If the voters correct course this week, expect some significant movement. Our projection has Missouri, USC, and Oklahoma State as the big winners, while Florida, Penn State, and Michigan take the biggest hits.
Florida's 45-17 drubbing at the hands of Missouri should send the Gators tumbling from No. 8 down to No. 19. Penn State's loss to Wisconsin last week should continue to hurt, and Michigan's struggles have them on the outside looking in.
Teams on the Bubble in the Coaches Poll
The most interesting storyline this week is the logjam of teams fighting for the final spots. Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Boise State, Pitt, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin are all in contention, but there's likely only room for two of them.
Our projection gives the nod to Kentucky and Oklahoma State, with the Wildcats sneaking in at No. 25 after an overtime win over South Carolina and the Cowboys coming in at No. 24 after a week off.
Full Week 6 Coaches Poll Projection
Here's how we see the top 25 shaking out when the new Coaches Poll is released:
- Texas (4-0)
- Georgia (5-0)
- Notre Dame (5-0)
- Miami (5-0)
- Indiana (5-0)
- Ohio State (4-1)
- Alabama (4-1)
- BYU (3-0)
- Texas Tech (5-0)
- Ole Miss (3-1)
- LSU (4-1)
- Utah (4-0)
- Oregon (3-1)
- Tennessee (4-1)
- USC (4-1)
- Iowa (4-1)
- Mississippi State (4-1)
- Missouri (4-1)
- Florida (4-0)
- SMU (4-1)
- Houston (4-1)
- Duke (4-0)
- UCLA (4-0)
- Oklahoma State (3-1)
- Kentucky (4-1)
What This Means for Iowa's Season
For Iowa, the path forward is clear. The Hawkeyes control their own destiny in the Big Ten West race. A strong showing in the coming weeks could push them back up the rankings and into contention for a conference title game berth.
The loss to Ohio State isn't a season-ender. It's a measuring stick. Iowa knows where it stands against elite competition, and now it's about stacking wins and letting the rankings take care of themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Iowa stay in the top 25 after the Ohio State loss?
Yes, our projection has Iowa at No. 16, a two-spot drop from No. 14. The Hawkeyes' 4-1 record and competitive showing against a top-tier opponent should keep them comfortably in the rankings.
Who are the biggest risers in the Week 6 Coaches Poll?
Missouri, USC, and Oklahoma State are projected to make the biggest jumps. Missouri's dominant win over Florida should move them up significantly, while USC's victory over Washington and Oklahoma State's return to the poll are also notable.
Why was last week's Coaches Poll so controversial?
Voters had LSU ahead of Ole Miss despite the Rebels' head-to-head win, and Wisconsin was ranked 34th after beating Penn State, who sat at 22nd. These inconsistencies frustrated fans and analysts alike.
John Damon is a contributor to Just The News Iowa.