Iowa Hawkeye Fans Believe: 21% Pick Iowa to Win Big Ten in 2026 Poll

While the Iowa Hawkeyes don't kick off their 2026 season until next Saturday, college football returns this weekend with a full slate of week zero matchups. And according to a new fan poll, Hawkeye supporters are feeling surprisingly optimistic about their team's chances in the loaded Big Ten Conference this year.

The Black Heart Gold Pants community poll shows 21% of Iowa fans believe the Hawkeyes will win the Big Ten title in 2026, placing them second only to Ohio State. That optimism outpaces both Oregon and Indiana, who each drew 17% of the vote from the Iowa fanbase.

Ohio State remains the favorite, but Iowa fans see opportunity

Nationally, the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes are the clear favorites, collecting 42% of the vote in the NCAA Reacts poll. Oregon follows closely at 38%, with Indiana at 13% and USC at just 3%.

Sportsbooks agree with that national sentiment. FanDuel lists the Buckeyes at +185 to win the conference, with Oregon next at +270 and Indiana at +290. USC sits a distant fourth at +1300.

The Hawkeyes, meanwhile, are 8th on that board at +5000. But that hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of a fanbase that has seen enough off-season hype around the Iowa offense to dream big.

Why Hawkeye fans are bullish on 2026

Several factors may be fueling this unexpected confidence. The annual Kids Day hype around the offense has generated genuine excitement about what this unit could accomplish. The memory of last season's struggles may also be fading, replaced by hope for a fresh start.

Or perhaps Iowa fans are simply ready for football season and feeling good about their team's chances in a wide-open conference race.

Whatever the reason, the Hawkeyes have a legitimate path to contention if the offense shows meaningful improvement. The defense is expected to remain among the best in the conference, and a manageable schedule could set up some pivotal matchups late in the year.

USC's tough road highlights Big Ten's depth

The Trojans open their season Saturday against San Jose State, but their schedule is a gauntlet. USC faces five teams ranked in the top 20 of the preseason poll, including three top-10 opponents: #2 Oregon, #1 Ohio State, and #6 Indiana on the road.

FanDuel has set USC's season win total at 8.5, which reflects just how deep the Big Ten has become. The conference features multiple legitimate national title contenders and very few easy weeks.

Hawkeyes open against Northern Illinois in sold-out Kinnick

Iowa begins its season next Saturday at 3:15 pm CT, hosting Northern Illinois in a sold-out Kinnick Stadium. The game will be broadcast on BTN, and fans are reminded that it's a gold-out, so gold attire is encouraged for those attending in person.

For a fanbase that clearly believes in this team, the opener can't come soon enough. If the Hawkeyes can take care of business early and build momentum, that 21% optimism might not look so unreasonable by November.

Here's hoping those fans know what they're talking about, because a Big Ten title run in Iowa City would be a story for the ages.