How 2026 Iowa Hawkeyes Stack Up Against the Best Teams of the Decade
As fall camp gets underway in Iowa City, the 2026 Hawkeyes are generating serious buzz among fans and analysts alike. With a new template for success taking shape, it is worth asking: How does this year's squad compare to the best Iowa teams of the 2020s?
The decade has been marked by consistent winning, but the path has shifted dramatically. From lockdown defenses to explosive rushing attacks, each season brought its own identity. Here is a breakdown of how the 2026 team stacks up against every Hawkeye team from 2020 to 2025.
2020: The COVID Short Season
The 2020 team went 6-2 in a pandemic-shortened year. After dropping the first two games, they rattled off six straight wins. The passing attack was solid, with Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Sam LaPorta, Brandon Smith, and Tyrone Tracy forming a reliable core. Tyler Goodson led the ground game, and the defense ranked No. 6 in scoring.
Winner: 2020 Iowa. This defense was loaded, and Goodson was already an NFL talent. Given a full 12-game season, this team had 10-win potential.
2021: The Turnover Machine
The 2021 squad went 10-4, powered by Tyler Goodson's breakout season (1,151 rushing yards) and a defense that intercepted 25 passes. Jack Campbell emerged as a star with 143 tackles.
Winner: 2021 Iowa. Jack Campbell and that defense were next level. They forced turnovers and held teams to minimal success. The offenses are close, but defense wins the day.
2022: The Offensive Struggle
The 2022 team went 8-5, but the offense was historically bad. Iowa threw for just seven touchdowns and averaged only 3.0 yards per carry. Fortunately, Jack Campbell and Cooper DeJean led a defense that allowed just 13.1 points per game, winning games single-handedly.
Winner: 2026 Iowa. The offense was that bad. It was brutal to watch. The 2026 Hawkeyes have too much talent to only score 17.7 points per game.
2023: The Gritty 10-Win Team
The 2023 team went 10-4, led by Deacon Hill at quarterback. While the stats were not pretty (48.9% completions, 1,661 yards, 9 touchdowns, 11 interceptions), the team found a way to win. Leshon Williams and Kaleb Johnson led the ground game, and the defense, anchored by Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson, allowed just 14.8 points per game.
Winner: 2026 Iowa. The quarterback play should be better than that. The defense does not have to be up to this standard, but it does not need to be.
2024: The Kaleb Johnson Show
The 2024 team went 8-5, powered by Kaleb Johnson's 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Walk-on quarterback Jackson Stratton stepped in heroically. The defense held opponents to 17.8 points per game and grabbed 16 interceptions. Kaden Wetjen emerged in the return game.
Winner: 2026 Iowa. This team uncharacteristically blew multiple double-digit leads. That is not something Iowa does, and it should not happen again.
2025: The Most Underrated Team
The 2025 squad went 9-4, led by quarterback Mark Gronowski, whose dual-threat ability opened up the offense. The defense ranked No. 8 nationally, doing it more by committee than individual standouts.
Winner: 2025 Iowa. As Curt Cignetti said, this team was the most underrated in America. Iowa had College Football Playoff teams on the ropes but could not close. Still, this team was closer to the top than any this decade.
What It Means for 2026
The 2026 Hawkeyes have a clear template: a competent offense paired with a top-tier defense. If the quarterback play improves and the defense remains elite, this team could be the best of the decade. Fall camp will reveal whether the pieces fit together.
Iowa fans have reason to be optimistic. The 2026 squad has the talent and the recipe to compete at the highest level. The question is whether they can execute when it matters most.