College Football Power Rankings: Iowa Hawkeyes Climb to No. 19 Ahead of Big Ten Play
The Iowa Hawkeyes are moving up in the college football world. After a dominant 55-0 win over Northern Iowa, Kirk Ferentz's squad now sits at No. 19 in the latest ESPN power rankings. The Hawkeyes enter Big Ten play with a 3-0 record, but questions remain about whether the offense has truly turned a corner or if the team will lean on its traditional formula of defense and special teams when conference competition heats up.
Iowa's ground game was the story against Northern Iowa, as the team eclipsed 400 rushing yards for the first time since 1997. Three running backs not named Kamari Moulton or L.J. Phillips Jr. all topped 100 yards and combined for six touchdowns. Quarterback Hank Brown also cemented his role as the starter, completing all 12 of his pass attempts.
The Hawkeyes' schedule gets tougher from here. They open Big Ten play against Michigan, a team that showed offensive firepower for the first time this season in a 52-point outburst against UTEP. That game will be a true test of whether Iowa's early-season success translates to conference play.
Texas Holds Top Spot Despite Offensive Concerns
The Texas Longhorns remain No. 1, but not without warning signs. Quarterback Arch Manning struggled through the air, completing just 17 of 33 passes for 164 yards against UTSA. Coach Steve Sarkisian said Manning 'fell in love with his legs' after the quarterback ran nine times for 50 yards, none of which were called runs. The Longhorns face a road test at Tennessee this week.
Ole Miss Jumps to No. 2 Behind Chambliss
Ole Miss delivered the biggest win of Week 3, beating LSU 32-24 in Oxford. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who was granted a sixth season of eligibility through a court injunction, completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for the game-winning 14-yard touchdown with 6:14 remaining. Chambliss is now an early Heisman Trophy front-runner.
Notre Dame, Georgia Round Out Top Four
Notre Dame moved to No. 3 after a 27-10 win over Michigan State, holding the Spartans to just 167 total yards. It marked the first time the Irish have held back-to-back opponents under 200 yards since 2023. Georgia sits at No. 4 after a 45-17 rout of Arkansas in its SEC opener, powered by 254 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Big Ten Teams on the Rise
Indiana checks in at No. 7 after shutting out consecutive home opponents for the first time since 1958-59. Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith broke the school's career receiving record in a 59-3 win over Kent State. Penn State, under first-year coach Matt Campbell, is 3-0 and outscored nonconference opponents by an average of five touchdowns per game.
Louisville, Mississippi State Enter Rankings
Louisville jumped into the rankings at No. 17 after a 41-31 win over SMU, despite racking up 110 penalty yards. Mississippi State entered at No. 21 after erasing a 16-0 deficit to beat South Carolina 41-34. West Virginia also cracked the top 25 at No. 23, its first 3-0 start since 2018.
Iowa's Big Ten Road Ahead
The Hawkeyes face a pivotal stretch to open conference play. After hosting Michigan, Iowa travels to Northwestern for the Wildcats' new stadium debut, then faces a tough stretch that will determine whether this team can compete for a Big Ten title. The running game looks improved, and Brown has been efficient, but the competition level rises significantly starting this week.
Full Top 25 Rankings
- Texas Longhorns
- Ole Miss Rebels
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Miami Hurricanes
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- LSU Tigers
- BYU Cougars
- USC Trojans
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Florida Gators
- Utah Utes
- Louisville Cardinals
- Oregon Ducks
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Michigan Wolverines
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Texas A&M Aggies
- West Virginia Mountaineers
- SMU Mustangs
- Missouri Tigers