Iowa moved up one spot to No. 4 in Yahoo Sports' Week 6 Big Ten power rankings after dismantling Washington 41-24 on October 11, with running back Kamari Moulton piling up 208 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The Hawkeyes improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, and according to Yahoo Sports, they remain one of the top teams in the league with a favorable schedule ahead.
Where the Hawkeyes Stand After Week 6
Yahoo Sports bumped Iowa from No. 5 to No. 4 following the win over the Huskies. The ranking cites the Buckeyes as the only Big Ten team to beat Iowa so far, and the outlet's analysis says the Hawkeyes have a relatively easy path forward.
The toughest remaining games on Iowa's schedule, per Yahoo Sports, are a road trip to Minnesota, a visit to No. 25 Northwestern, and the home finale against Nebraska. The outlet also praised the team's on-field product, writing that the Hawkeyes are fun to watch.
The victory over Washington also came at a cost to the Huskies. Washington starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr. left the game with an injury, and Yahoo Sports noted the Huskies are now spiraling at 3-3 overall and 0-3 in Big Ten play.
How the Rest of the Big Ten Shaped Up
Ohio State held the top spot after a 45-16 home win over Maryland. Quarterback Julian Sayin threw for 242 yards, including a 68-yard completion to Nate Roberts, and the Buckeyes held the Terrapins to just 64 passing yards.
Indiana stayed at No. 2 after surviving Nebraska 20-17. The Hoosiers trailed by two scores in the fourth quarter before rallying, capped by a 44-yard Nick Marsh touchdown reception. Head coach Curt Cignetti's squad is now 6-0.
UCLA made the biggest jump near the top, climbing three spots to No. 3 after winning 17-15 at Oregon's Autzen Stadium, even with the Ducks playing backup quarterback Dylan Raiola. The Bruins are 5-0 and beating teams by large margins, including a more than 50-point win over Maryland.
USA Today's Week 6 Big Ten rankings similarly describe Oregon as a team in free-fall, with former five-star recruit Raiola benched mid-game after completing just 6 of 19 passes against UCLA.
Purdue and Northwestern Rising
Purdue jumped four spots to No. 10 after snapping a Big Ten losing streak that dated back to 2023. The Boilermakers destroyed Minnesota 41-13 and beat Illinois the week before, and they now sit at 2-1 in conference play.
Northwestern climbed three spots to No. 8 in Yahoo's rankings after a 45-14 win over Ball State. Quarterback Aidan Chiles has thrown nine touchdown passes, rushed for six more, and has yet to throw an interception through five games. The Wildcats are ranked for the first time since 2020, and coach Chip Kelly has the team running Wing T formations that are confusing opposing defensive lines.
The Indianapolis Star's Week 6 rankings also place Indiana and Ohio State in the top two, setting up a top-five showdown when the Hoosiers host the Buckeyes on October 17.
What It Means for Iowa Going Forward
Iowa's only conference loss came against Ohio State, currently the No. 4 team in the AP poll, which keeps the Hawkeyes in strong position in the league race. The AP poll has Iowa at No. 17 and the Coaches poll at No. 16.
Minnesota, which faces Iowa after its bye, was blown out by Purdue and dropped two spots to No. 11. That matchup could go a long way toward deciding where both teams land in the conference standings.
Readers can find more on the week ahead in college football, including Iowa's open date, in our coverage of