Iowa dropped from the top five to No. 7 in the Yahoo Sports Big Ten power rankings after a frustrating 13-10 loss at Minnesota on Saturday, and the Hawkeyes now face a Halloween showdown with a surging Wisconsin team at Kinnick Stadium.
Just when it looked like the quarterback controversy in Iowa City had been settled, it flared up again. Both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski struggled against the Gophers, and the result was Iowa losing Floyd of Rosedale for another year.
Where the Hawkeyes stand
Iowa sits at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play. According to Hawk Fanatic, the Hawkeyes dropped two spots in that outlet's rankings, partly because the conference is loaded with teams that are wildly inconsistent and vulnerable this season.
The national polls were even harsher. Sports Illustrated reported that Iowa slid 10 spots in the Coaches Poll, down to No. 24, barely staying ranked after the showing against Minnesota. The AP Top 25 punished the Hawkeyes even more severely.
Yahoo Sports compared this season to the chaotic 2007 campaign, noting that upsets are happening at a remarkable rate across the country and the Big Ten has an unusual cast of contenders as a result.
Costly mistakes doom Iowa in Minneapolis
The numbers from Saturday tell the story. As Hawk Central detailed, Iowa committed four turnovers and had a punt blocked, mistakes that made a road win nearly impossible. The 10 points were the second-worst scoring output since Tim Lester took over as offensive coordinator in 2024.
Yahoo Sports wrote that a lot of tough internal questions need to be asked in Iowa City this week, starting with the quarterback position.
Who is rising in the Big Ten
Minnesota moved ahead of Iowa at No. 6 thanks to the head-to-head win, though the Gophers face a brutal closing stretch. P.J. Fleck's squad improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Wisconsin jumped to No. 5 after a signature win for Luke Fickell. The Badgers earned an impressive 24-7 victory over USC and own Big Ten wins over Penn State, Michigan State and the Trojans, per Hawk Central. Wisconsin's offense still has questions, but the defense is carrying the team into November.
Ohio State remains the clear favorite at No. 1 despite a bye week. The Buckeyes are 6-1 and 4-0 in league play, though questions remain about how they handle the loss of quarterback Julian Sayin.
Surprise contenders emerge
UCLA sits at No. 2 with a 7-0 record, and Bob Chesney has a realistic path to an undefeated regular season in his first year, doing it with a backup quarterback. Indiana is No. 3 at 7-1, though the Hoosiers need to fix an offense that looked shaky in a near-disaster at Michigan.
Northwestern, at 6-1, is the surprise of the conference. Nobody outside Evanston imagined the Wildcats in playoff contention in late October, but if they can survive a tough closing schedule and reach 10 wins, they have a legitimate case for the College Football Playoff.
Wisconsin and Minnesota surging into the top six while Iowa, Oregon and USC all suffered upset losses made for one of the wildest weeks of the season, as Eleven Warriors noted in its rankings.
What's next for Iowa
The schedule does not get easier. Iowa hosts Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium on Halloween, and the Badgers arrive with momentum and a defense capable of controlling the game. If Wisconsin can win in Iowa City, Yahoo Sports warned, watch out for a late-season run.
USC fell to No. 8 after being pushed around by Wisconsin, and Lincoln Riley's seat is warming with the Trojans missing the playoff unless they upset Ohio State. The crosstown rival UCLA being firmly in the playoff picture only adds to the pressure in Los Angeles.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Iowa in the Big Ten power rankings?
Iowa fell to No. 7 in the Yahoo Sports Big Ten power rankings after losing 13-10 at Minnesota on Saturday.
Why did Iowa lose to Minnesota?
According to Hawk Central, Iowa committed four turnovers and had a punt blocked, and the 10 points were the second-worst output since Tim Lester became offensive coordinator in 2024.
Who does Iowa play next?
Iowa hosts Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium on Halloween. The Badgers are 5-2 after beating USC 24-7.