Iowa State, Hawkeyes Climb CFN Week 4 Rankings as Cyclones Roll, Hawks Shut Out UNI
The latest CFN Week 4 college football rankings are out, and Iowa's two FBS programs are trending in the right direction after dominant home victories. The Iowa State Cyclones moved up two spots to No. 69 after a 55-7 dismantling of Bowling Green, while the Iowa Hawkeyes jumped four spots to No. 33 following a 55-0 shutout of Northern Iowa.
The rankings, which cover teams 26 through 138, also highlight a strong week for several unbeaten programs and a few notable shakeups near the top of the list.
Iowa Hawkeyes Climb to No. 33 After Shutout Win
The Hawkeyes (3-0) continue to impress on the defensive side of the ball. Iowa's 55-0 blanking of Northern Iowa was the team's second shutout in three games this season, and the offense has shown signs of life with 55 points in back-to-back weeks.
Iowa now sits at No. 33 in the CFN rankings, up from No. 37 last week. The Hawkeyes face their toughest test yet with a trip to Michigan on the horizon.
Iowa State Cyclones Rise to No. 69 After Blowout
The Cyclones (2-1) bounced back in a big way after a Week 2 loss, cruising past Bowling Green 55-7. Iowa State moved up two spots to No. 69 in the latest rankings.
Head coach Matt Campbell's squad will look to build momentum as they prepare to host Utah in a key Big 12 matchup.
Unbeaten Teams Stack the Top 30
The Week 4 rankings from 26 to 138 are loaded with legitimate gripes, according to CFN analysts. Missouri, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech are all unbeaten and knocking on the door of the Top 25.
West Virginia made the biggest jump of the group, surging from No. 61 to No. 29 after a 38-27 win over Virginia. The Mountaineers (3-0) are one of the hottest teams in the country.
Virginia Tech (3-0) sits at No. 26 after beating Maryland 35-26, while Missouri (3-0) holds at No. 32 following a 27-17 win over Troy.
Oregon's Ranking Sparks Debate
The biggest controversy in this week's rankings centers on Oregon. The Ducks (2-1) moved up to No. 38 after an 84-0 shellacking of Portland State, but CFN analysts note that Tulsa remains unbeaten and beat Oklahoma State, who in turn beat Oregon.
That transitive logic keeps Tulsa (3-0) at No. 36, just ahead of Oregon, for now. The Golden Hurricane face Arkansas this week in a game that could settle the debate.
Other Notable Movers
Several other teams made significant jumps in the Week 4 rankings:
- Northwestern surged from No. 56 to No. 40 after a 41-7 rout of Colorado
- James Madison jumped 19 spots to No. 59 after beating San Diego State 26-13
- Middle Tennessee climbed eight spots to No. 120 after a 27-20 win over Nevada
- South Alabama moved up 22 spots to No. 95 after beating Ohio 41-36
What's Next for Iowa Teams
The Hawkeyes face their biggest test of the season Saturday at Michigan. A win would likely vault Iowa into the Top 25 conversation.
The Cyclones host Utah in a game that could define their Big 12 title hopes. Iowa State has won two straight against the Utes and will look to make it three.
For Iowa football fans, this weekend offers plenty of drama as both in-state programs look to keep their seasons on track.