Iowa Hawkeyes Set for Top-20 Showdown at Michigan as AP Poll Shakes Up
Iowa football fans have plenty to watch this weekend as the No. 17 Hawkeyes prepare for a marquee road matchup against No. 18 Michigan. The game headlines a Week 4 slate that follows a wild Saturday of upsets across the college football landscape.
The Associated Press Top 25 poll, released Sunday at 2 p.m. ET, will feature several new faces after a weekend that saw West Virginia knock off No. 25 Virginia and Kentucky stun Texas A&M on the road. Iowa enters the week unbeaten at 3-0, with a chance to make a major statement in Ann Arbor.
What happened in Week 3 that shook up the rankings?
The biggest story came out of Oxford, Mississippi, where Lane Kiffin's return to his former school fell short. Ole Miss jumped out to a 17-0 lead and held on for a 32-24 win over LSU. Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt, listed as doubtful on the injury report earlier in the week, scored two touchdowns in the losing effort.
Two ranked teams fell on Saturday. West Virginia beat No. 25 Virginia 38-27, while Kentucky took down Texas A&M 31-21 in College Station. Those results open the door for new teams to enter the poll.
Where do the Iowa Hawkeyes land in the AP Top 25?
Iowa sits at No. 17 in the projected rankings with a 3-0 record. The Hawkeyes face their toughest test of the season Saturday at Michigan, which checks in at No. 18. The winner of that game will have a significant boost in next week's poll and early Big Ten bragging rights.
Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood has led the Wolverines to a 3-0 start, including a home win over UTEP on Saturday. Iowa's defense will need to contain the young signal-caller in one of the most anticipated games of the weekend.
Which teams are projected to enter and exit the Top 25?
Mississippi State is projected to enter at No. 25 after a 3-0 start, while No. 22 Houston is likely to drop out after losing at Texas Tech on Friday night. Virginia also falls out after its loss to West Virginia.
Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas A&M round out the lower half of the projected rankings, with all three facing difficult conference matchups in Week 4.
Projected AP Top 25 for Week 4
Here is how the poll is expected to look when it is released Sunday afternoon:
- No. 25: Mississippi State (3-0) vs. Missouri
- No. 24: Oklahoma (2-1) at Georgia
- No. 23: Florida (3-0) vs. Ole Miss
- No. 22: Texas A&M (2-1) at LSU
- No. 21: Oregon (2-1) at USC
- No. 20: SMU (2-1) vs. Missouri State
- No. 19: Missouri (3-0) at Mississippi State
- No. 18: Michigan (3-0) vs. Iowa
- No. 17: Iowa (3-0) at Michigan
- No. 16: Louisville (2-1) vs. Wake Forest
- No. 15: Utah (3-0) at Iowa State
- No. 14: Tennessee (3-0) vs. Texas
- No. 13: USC (4-0) vs. Oregon
- No. 12: Penn State (3-0) vs. Wisconsin
- No. 11: LSU (2-1) vs. Texas A&M
- No. 10: Texas Tech (3-0) vs. Sam Houston
- No. 9: BYU (3-0) vs. Iowa State
- No. 8: Alabama (3-0) vs. South Carolina
- No. 7: Ohio State (2-1) vs. Illinois
- No. 6: Miami (3-0) vs. Central Michigan
- No. 5: Indiana (3-0) vs. Northwestern
- No. 4: Ole Miss (3-0) vs. Florida
What does this mean for Iowa's season?
A win in Ann Arbor would be Iowa's most significant victory of the young season and could vault the Hawkeyes into the top 15. The game also carries major Big Ten implications as both teams chase a spot in the conference championship game.
Iowa's defense has been stout through three games, and the Hawkeyes will need that unit to travel well against a Michigan offense that has found its rhythm. The matchup pits two of the Big Ten's most physical teams against each other in what should be a slugfest.
When is the Iowa-Michigan game?
Iowa and Michigan kick off Saturday at Michigan Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally, with kickoff time and network to be announced. Fans can follow along on the Big Ten Network or check local listings for broadcast information.
For Iowa supporters, this is the kind of game that defines a season. A road win against a top-20 opponent would send a clear message that the Hawkeyes belong in the national conversation.