College Football Reality Check: Hawkeyes' Rise Exposes Gap Against Elite Ohio State
Iowa's climb to No. 14 in the AP poll, its highest ranking since 2021, came crashing down Saturday in a 31-14 loss to No. 5 Ohio State. The Hawkeyes' only touchdown came in the fourth quarter, long after the outcome was decided, revealing a familiar gap between Iowa and college football's true elite.
The loss mirrors a broader pattern across college football in Week 5, where several teams that broke into the rankings discovered that measuring up to the sport's top programs requires more than a strong start. Mississippi State, ranked No. 16 and undefeated entering Saturday, was dismantled 56-23 by Alabama. Florida, fresh off a breakthrough win over Ole Miss, fell 45-17 to Missouri.
For Iowa, the challenge was Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, who hauled in 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns despite constant double teams. Smith's performance strengthened his case as the best player in college football.
“You've just got to [let] the Heisman voters or whoever it is know that I'm the best player in the country,” Smith said. “I've got to be there.”
What does Iowa's loss to Ohio State mean for the season?
While the loss exposed the gap between Iowa and the Buckeyes, it doesn't negate the Hawkeyes' strong start. Iowa remains a legitimate contender in the Big Ten West race, and the schedule ahead offers opportunities to build momentum. The key question is whether the Hawkeyes can learn from this experience and close the gap against other ranked opponents later in the season.
Alabama looks like Alabama again
Alabama's 56-23 rout of Mississippi State served as a reminder that the Crimson Tide remain the standard in college football. Quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground, displacing Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor as the breakout quarterback to watch.
The Tide have scored at least 45 points in five straight games for the first time since 2022 and are the only FBS team to reach 45 in every game this season.
First-year coaches making their mark
Of the 34 programs that started the season with a new head coach, only three remain undefeated: UCLA under Bob Chesney, Utah under Morgan Scalley, and James Madison under Billy Napier. Each took a different path to their current success, proving there's no single formula for finding the right coach.
On the other end of the spectrum, Northern Illinois' Rob Harley is the only first-year coach without a win, while several others are still searching for their first FBS victory.
Upsets and improbable finishes
FCS No. 1 Montana State suffered a stunning 35-34 loss to winless Idaho at the Kibbie Dome, ending the Bobcats' 19-game winning streak. The Vandals scored the winning touchdown as time expired, then converted a two-point attempt for the victory.
Harvard pulled off perhaps the most improbable ending of the season, using a hook-and-ladder play on a Hail Mary attempt to beat Colgate 17-14. Receiver Teigan Pelletier caught the ball six yards short of the end zone and pitched it back to Nate Bailey, who sprinted to the pylon for the winning score.
What's next for Iowa?
The Hawkeyes will look to bounce back and prove they belong among the Big Ten's best. With a manageable schedule ahead, Iowa has the opportunity to build a strong resume for the College Football Playoff conversation. But as Week 5 showed, potential only matters if it translates to results on the field.