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Iowa football: Hawks at 19th in coaches poll is the sweet spot

By Andrew Wade

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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For weeks, we have seen ranking predictions, but we finally have official rankings out, and the Iowa football team is 19th in the 2019 coaches poll.

The initial 2019 coaches poll has been officially released, and the Iowa football team can be found at 19th, which personally, seems like the sweet spot for the Hawks after a 9-4 season in 2018.

The Iowa football team is returning a key starters at a few key positions on the offensive side of the ball, and there is possibly more talent on the defensive side of the ball than we have ever had in Iowa City (I realize there have been some great defenses, and this comment is saying they have great potential, not that they are actually better).

In addition to seasoned veterans like 3rd year starting quarterback Nate Stanley, the Iowa football team is a star-studded team led by three possible first-round picks in AJ Epenesa, Alaric Jackson, and Tristan Wirfs.

Despite losing nearly half of their starters from last season, this was enough to convince the coaches around the nation that Iowa deserves to be in the first poll of the season.

Given that Las Vegas has Iowa projected at around 8 wins depending on the source, this opening ranking is spot on. I do fully believe the Hawkeyes have the potential to be much higher than this, but there is also a possibility they fall out of the rankings entirely due to their ridiculously tough road schedule. Here’s a quick breakdown of it:

  • @ Iowa State (#24)
  • @ Michigan (#7)
  • @ Northwestern (#25)
  • @ Wisconsin (#17)
  • @ Nebraska (#26)

When the Hawkeyes finish this season, if they manage to survive this schedule, there will be no doubt in the College Football Playoff committee’s mind about this team being battle-tested.

Next. Iowa's CFB playoff odds released. dark

The #19 ranking is the first time since 2016 that the Hawks have been ranked in the polls to begin the season. Hopefully, the result of 2019 is much different than that of 2016 though where the Hawks lost to North Dakota State and was embarrassed in their Outback Bowl game versus Florida.

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