Iowa Football Holds at No. 22 in Predicted AP Poll After Week 1
The Iowa Hawkeyes are projected to hold steady at No. 22 in the first regular season AP Top 25 Poll of the 2026 college football season, according to a new prediction from Sports Illustrated. With no major upsets in the opening week, the rankings are expected to see minimal movement at the top, keeping Iowa in the same spot it occupied in the preseason poll.
The first updated AP Poll of the season will be released Tuesday at 11 a.m. PT after the final week 1 games conclude Sunday and Monday. The Hawkeyes opened their season with a win, though the full details of their performance were not highlighted in the national analysis.
Where Does Iowa Stand in the Predicted Top 25?
In the projected poll, Iowa sits at No. 22, sandwiched between No. 21 Utah and No. 23 Houston. The Hawkeyes were also ranked No. 22 in the preseason AP Top 25 Poll, meaning voters are not expected to penalize or reward Iowa based on week 1 results.
The full predicted AP Top 25 Poll is as follows:
- Ohio State
- Oregon
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Texas
- Indiana
- Miami
- Texas A&M
- Ole Miss*
- LSU
- Oklahoma
- Texas Tech
- Alabama
- USC
- BYU
- Washington*
- Penn State
- SMU*
- Michigan
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Iowa
- Houston
- Missouri
- Florida
*Team scheduled to play Sunday or Monday
Michigan's Controversial Win Could Shake Up the Middle of the Poll
The biggest storyline of week 1 involves No. 16 Michigan, which narrowly escaped an upset against Western Michigan amid a controversial clock and review decision. The Big Ten conference issued a statement addressing the officiating, and voters may dock the Wolverines in the rankings despite the win.
The prediction has Michigan falling to No. 19, a drop of three spots. That movement could be significant for Iowa and other teams in the middle of the pack, though the Hawkeyes' position appears stable for now.
USC Rises, Iowa Holds Steady
USC is projected to move up from a tie at No. 14 to the No. 14 spot outright after two decisive wins, including a shutout of Fresno State. The Trojans have impressed early under defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, and their strong start gives them momentum heading into Big Ten play.
For Iowa, the focus now shifts to week 2 and building a case for upward movement in the polls. The Hawkeyes will need strong performances in the coming weeks to climb the rankings and position themselves for a potential high-profile bowl game.
What Does This Mean for Iowa's Season Outlook?
Holding at No. 22 is a solid starting point for the Hawkeyes, but the real test comes in conference play. Iowa's schedule includes several ranked opponents, and wins against those teams would provide the resume boost needed to move up.
With the Big Ten featuring three teams in the top six (Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana), the Hawkeyes face a challenging road ahead. However, a strong showing in the coming weeks could put Iowa in position for a top-15 finish by season's end.
Iowa fans can expect the official AP Poll to be released Tuesday, with the Hawkeyes likely maintaining their preseason ranking.