Iowa Hawkeyes Projected to Climb in AP Top 25 Poll After Week 1
The Iowa Hawkeyes are expected to move up one spot to No. 21 in the next AP Top 25 Poll after a strong start to the 2026 college football season. The projection comes from College Football News, which released its Week 2 rankings prediction following the first full weekend of games.
Iowa opened its season with a win over Northern Illinois and is projected to improve from its current ranking of No. 22. The Hawkeyes are one of several Big Ten teams expected to make moves in the updated poll, which will be released Sunday after Week 1 games conclude.
How Did Iowa Perform in Week 1?
The Hawkeyes handled Northern Illinois in their season opener, improving to 1-0 on the year. The victory sets up Iowa for a modest climb in the national rankings, though the team remains outside the top 20 for now.
Iowa's defense, long the hallmark of the program under head coach Kirk Ferentz, will be tested as the season progresses. The Hawkeyes will look to build momentum in the coming weeks as they aim for a strong Big Ten campaign.
What Other Big Ten Teams Are Ranked?
Ohio State holds the No. 1 spot in the projected poll after a Week 1 win over Ball State. Oregon sits at No. 2, with Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas rounding out the top five.
Other Big Ten teams in the projection include Indiana at No. 6, Michigan at No. 16, and Penn State at No. 18. Iowa's projected No. 21 ranking places the Hawkeyes as the fifth-highest Big Ten team in the poll.
Which Teams Made Big Moves in the Projection?
USC moved up from No. 15 to No. 14 after opening its season with a win over Stanford in Week 0. Virginia made a significant jump, climbing from a tie at No. 48 to No. 24 after a dominant victory over NC State.
Oklahoma dropped from No. 10 to No. 11, while Miami slipped from No. 7 to No. 8. LSU moved up one spot to No. 10 despite a challenging Week 1 matchup against Clemson.
When Will the Official AP Top 25 Be Released?
The official AP Top 25 Poll will be released Sunday after the conclusion of Week 1 games. The rankings are voted on by a panel of sports writers and broadcasters from across the country.
For Iowa fans, the projection offers reason for optimism as the Hawkeyes look to make noise in the Big Ten this season. The team's next matchup will be crucial in determining whether Iowa can continue its climb up the national rankings.
What's Next for the Hawkeyes?
Iowa will look to build on its Week 1 victory and improve its standing in the polls as the season progresses. The Hawkeyes face a challenging Big Ten schedule ahead, with several ranked opponents on the horizon.
The team's performance in the coming weeks will determine whether Iowa can break into the top 20 and position itself for a potential conference title run. For now, Hawkeye fans can take pride in the team's solid start and projected rise in the national rankings.