Iowa Hawkeyes Drop Out of Top 25 After Ohio State Loss; Missouri, Minnesota Surge in Week 6 Rankings

The Iowa Hawkeyes have fallen out of the Top 25 college football rankings after a lackluster performance against Ohio State, while Missouri and Minnesota are the biggest risers in this week's updated projections. The Hawkeyes managed just 199 total yards of offense and a paltry 1.9 yards per carry in the loss, raising serious questions about the team's ability to compete with elite competition.

Iowa's struggles against the Buckeyes were evident from the start, as Ohio State built an early lead and never looked back. The Hawkeyes now face a critical road test at Washington, a program they haven't visited since 1963, and will need a strong showing to regain their footing in the national conversation.

Why did Iowa fall out of the rankings?

Iowa's exit from the Top 25 comes after a game where the Hawkeyes showed little fight against a superior Ohio State squad. The Buckeyes' defense dominated the line of scrimmage, holding Iowa to just 199 yards of total offense and forcing two turnovers. Iowa's inability to establish any running game, combined with the lack of explosive plays through the air, left the offense stagnant for most of the afternoon.

While Iowa's resume includes wins over Iowa State and Michigan, the loss to Ohio State exposed significant weaknesses that have now pushed the Hawkeyes behind other one-loss teams like UCLA and Minnesota in the rankings. The upcoming matchup at Washington is now a must-win for Iowa to avoid falling further behind in the race for a New Year's Six bowl berth.

Missouri headlines the biggest movers in this week's Top 25

The biggest winner of the week was Missouri, which throttled the Florida Gators in a dominant performance that has the Tigers firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. Missouri's offense totaled 560 yards with no turnovers, while quarterback Austin Simmons threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jamal Roberts added a career-high 211 rushing yards and three scores on 24 carries.

The Tigers now face a brutal stretch that includes Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Texas, and Georgia over the next month. If Missouri can navigate that gauntlet, they will have one of the strongest resumes in the country and a legitimate case for a top-four seed.

Minnesota enters the Top 25 after back-to-back Big Ten wins

Minnesota joins the rankings this week after impressive victories over Washington and Michigan. Head coach P.J. Fleck's squad has been one of the most entertaining stories in college football over the last two weeks, and the Golden Gophers now have a chance to make a real statement in the Big Ten West race.

Minnesota heads to Purdue this week before a bye, then faces a challenging stretch against Iowa, Indiana, and UCLA. The Oct. 24 showdown with Iowa in Minneapolis is shaping up to be a pivotal matchup for both programs, with the winner likely to control its own destiny in the division race.

Alabama, Ohio State remain atop the rankings with dominant offenses

Alabama continues to impress, scoring 45 or more points in every game this season and ranking second nationally at 49.4 points per game. Quarterback Keelon Russell has emerged as a top-five Heisman contender after another stellar performance against Mississippi State, and the Crimson Tide now face a massive test against Georgia this weekend.

Ohio State also remains among the nation's elite, led by wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who now leads the country in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The Buckeyes' defense was equally impressive against Iowa, holding the Hawkeyes to just 1.9 yards per carry and forcing two turnovers.

What's next for Iowa and the rest of the Big Ten?

Iowa's schedule doesn't get any easier, with a trip to Seattle to face Washington followed by a home game against Minnesota that could determine the Hawkeyes' fate in the Big Ten West. The Hawkeyes will need to find answers on offense quickly, as their inability to run the ball against elite defenses has become a recurring theme.

For the rest of the Big Ten, Ohio State and Indiana remain the teams to beat, with the Hoosiers routing Rutgers 47-15 behind a career-high 204 rushing yards from Turbo Richard. Indiana's Oct. 17 showdown with Ohio State is shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season, with both teams looking to solidify their playoff credentials.

Full Top 25 projections for Week 6

Here's a look at the complete Top 25 projections for this week, with Texas, Georgia, Miami, and Alabama leading the pack. Notable movers include Missouri jumping into the top five, while Florida and Mississippi State have fallen out of contention after lopsided losses.

• Texas
• Georgia
• Miami
• Ohio State
• Alabama
• Indiana
• Notre Dame
• Texas Tech
• BYU
• Utah
• Ole Miss
• LSU
• Oklahoma State
• Oregon
• Missouri
• Florida
• Boise State
• Kentucky
• Mississippi State
• USC
• Tennessee
• Houston
• Wake Forest
• UCLA
• Minnesota

As the college football season heats up, Iowa fans will be watching closely to see if the Hawkeyes can bounce back and reclaim their spot among the nation's best. With a tough road ahead, the next few weeks will be critical for Kirk Ferentz's squad.