Iowa Football was not handed any favors on their 2025-2026 schedule. After the release of the first AP Top 25 poll, the Hawkeyes learned how many teams could potentially be ranked when they face off this season.
BREAKING: Preseason College Football AP Poll🚨https://t.co/O9s1jHORyn pic.twitter.com/reBHuc3tL8
— On3 (@On3sports) August 11, 2025
The first AP Top 25 poll is led by No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Penn State, and No. 3 Ohio State, with the SEC leading all conferences with ten ranked teams, followed by the Big Ten with six.
Iowa's 2025 schedule is challenging, featuring four teams ranked in the first preseason AP Top 25 poll, three in the Big Ten, and one against rival Iowa State at the beginning of the season.
The Hawkeyes take on No. 2 Penn State, No. 7 Oregon, No. 20 Indiana, and No. 22 Iowa State, with the potential to face more ranked teams as the season progresses.
Iowa is flying under the radar to start the season, and that could play to their advantage as they play No. 22 Iowa State (week two) and No. 20 Indiana (week five) within the first five weeks of the season.
The Hawkeyes have a golden opportunity to knock off two ranked teams and jump into the AP Top 25 before the midway mark of the season.
It would give Iowa fans no greater joy than if Iowa goes into Ames on Saturday, September 7, and knocks off the Cyclones at home.
It would be even sweeter given their spot in the preseason top 25 and all the hype surrounding quarterback Rocco Becht.
The Hawkeyes also have a great chance to upset No. 20 Indiana if they are still ranked following their week four matchup with Illinois.
The Hawkeyes' success will hinge on the improvement of the Iowa offense under new quarterback Mark Gronowski and whether the Hawkeyes can improve in the defensive secondary.
The Hawkeyes' defense will be fine as long as Phil Parker is the defensive coordinator, but the offense will have to take a massive leap.
Gronowski has the pedigree and numbers to back up why he will succeed for the Hawkeyes, but the offense has a massive hole to fill after star running back Kaleb Johnson went to the NFL.
The running back group will be deeper this season, led by Kamari Moulton, but the group is largely unproven.
If Gronowski can effectively lead the offense and score upwards of 21 points per game, the Hawkeyes will take a big step forward.
The Hawkeyes are on the outside looking in after the first AP Top 25 poll, but have the chance to make some noise early in the season.