Dear Old Gold
Fansided

A preseason media poll has Iowa Football finishing in the top half of the Big Ten

"Cleveland dot com" is bullish on the Hawkeyes to finish just after multiple 2024 Playoff teams
ByJordan Underwood|
Sep 14, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Max Llewellyn (48) reacts with defensive end Brian Allen (90) as defensive lineman Aaron Graves (rear) looks on during the third quarter against the Troy Trojans at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Max Llewellyn (48) reacts with defensive end Brian Allen (90) as defensive lineman Aaron Graves (rear) looks on during the third quarter against the Troy Trojans at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

'Tis the season for preseason rankings lists. As the 2025-2026 college football season inches closer, preseason rankings continue to be released.

Numerous rankings are bullish on Iowa lineman, both on offense and defense. Returning starters Aaron Graves (Lott Impact Award), Logan Jones (preseason Big Ten), and Gennings Dunker (preseason Big Ten) have all been named to preseason award watchlists.

PFF College has also ranked Dunker as the best returning tackle in the Big Ten, and Ethan Hurkett and Max Llewellyn as the No. 2 and No. 5 best returning edge rushers in the Big Ten.

A new player for Iowa is getting mixed rankings, with some ranking him very highly and others not ranking him nearly high enough.

Iowa transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski has been a big topic of discussion since transferring to the Hawkeyes from South Dakota State in January. Everyone agrees that he has the capabilities to be a solid addition for the Hawkeyes; they just disagree on where he should be ranked.

PFF College is high on Gronowski, ranking him the best returning quarterback in the Big Ten, while On3 Sports' Andy Staples ranked him as the No. 10 overall quarterback in the Big Ten before next season.

Outside of player rankings, many experts believe the Hawkeyes will finish the season in the top half of the Big Ten behind the 2024 playoff teams and a few other teams sprinkled in.

Another preseason media poll conducted by Cleveland.com has the Hawkeyes finishing No. 7 in the Big Ten, behind 2024 College Football Playoff teams Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State, as well as Illinois and Michigan.

Iowa has a tough schedule this season, with a stretch of five games against three 2024 playoff teams (Indiana, Penn State, and Oregon) and two rivalry games (Wisconsin and Minnesota).

They must also replace star running back Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers) and have a completely revamped quarterback room, led by projected starter Mark Gronowski.

If Iowa can flip the script on offense with Gronowski under center, and the defense can revert back to its 2023 form, the Hawkeyes can make some noise in the Big Ten and have a chance to make their first College Football Playoff.

The rankings favor the Hawkeyes to finish in the top 10 of the Big Ten, but on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff picture.

More Hawkeyes News:

Home/Iowa Football