Iowa Football Climbs in AP Poll Projections After Dominant Win Over Washington
Iowa Hawkeyes fans have reason to celebrate this week. After a commanding 41-24 victory over Washington, the team is projected to move up in the upcoming AP Top 25 poll, solidifying their position as one of the Big Ten's most dangerous teams this season.
The Week 7 rankings are set for a major shakeup after several top-tier programs suffered surprising losses. Texas, Alabama, LSU, Oregon, and Florida all fell last week, opening the door for teams like Iowa to climb the ladder.
Iowa's Strong Case for a Higher Ranking
The Hawkeyes improved to 5-1 with their win over Washington, and the projection from Yahoo Sports has Iowa moving from No. 20 to No. 19 in the Coaches Poll. But the real story is the momentum building in Iowa City.
Iowa's defense continues to be the backbone of the team, and the offense showed signs of life against Washington. The Hawkeyes are now positioned as a legitimate contender in the Big Ten West race, with a schedule that offers opportunities for further climbs.
Big Winners and Losers in Week 7
The biggest winners in this week's projected poll are UCLA, Iowa, and Kentucky. The biggest losers are Florida, LSU, and Oregon.
Kentucky's thrilling 35-34 overtime win over LSU was one of the games of the season, and the Wildcats are projected to enter the rankings at No. 16. UCLA's 17-15 upset of Oregon vaults the Bruins into the top 10 at No. 10.
For Iowa, the win over Washington was a statement. The Hawkeyes controlled the game from start to finish, and the voters are taking notice.
How Far Did the Big Names Fall?
Texas took the biggest hit, dropping from No. 1 to No. 5 after falling to Oklahoma 27-24. Alabama slipped from No. 6 to No. 7 following a 20-17 loss to Georgia. LSU plummeted from No. 10 to No. 20 after the overtime loss to Kentucky.
Oregon, which lost to UCLA, dropped from No. 13 to No. 22. Florida fell out of the rankings entirely after a loss that wasn't detailed in the source material.
What This Means for Iowa's Season
Iowa's path forward looks promising. With a 5-1 record and a defense that ranks among the nation's best, the Hawkeyes are positioned for a potential run at the Big Ten title.
The projection has Iowa sitting just outside the top 15, but with winnable games ahead, the Hawkeyes could be knocking on the door of the top 10 by November.
Full Projected Coaches Poll Top 25
Here is the full projection for this week's Coaches Poll:
- Georgia (6-0)
- Notre Dame (6-0)
- Miami (5-0)
- Ohio State (5-1)
- Texas (4-1)
- Indiana (6-0)
- Alabama (5-1)
- BYU (5-0)
- Ole Miss (4-1)
- UCLA (5-0)
- Texas Tech (5-0)
- Utah (5-0)
- Missouri (5-1)
- Tennessee (5-1)
- Mississippi State (4-1)
- Kentucky (5-1)
- Oklahoma State (4-1)
- USC (5-1)
- Iowa (5-1)
- LSU (4-2)
- Boise State (5-1)
- Oregon (3-2)
- Houston (5-1)
- SMU (4-1)
- Wake Forest (5-1)
Why This Matters for Iowa Fans
For Iowa fans, the rankings are more than just numbers. They reflect the team's progress under head coach Kirk Ferentz and the program's continued relevance on the national stage.
With the Hawkeyes' defense playing at an elite level and the offense finding its rhythm, Iowa is a team no one wants to face in November. The climb in the polls is well deserved, and there's plenty of room to keep moving up.
The official AP Top 25 will be released later this week. Iowa fans will be watching closely to see where their Hawkeyes land.