We have Iowa Hawkeyes football this week!
After an eight-month wait since the last time we saw Iowa Football take the field, the Hawkeyes hit the field for their first game against UAlbany on Saturday, August 30, at 5:10 p.m.
The Hawkeyes are flying under the radar to start the 2025 season, beginning the campaign unranked.
Iowa received some votes for the AP Top 25 poll and has the opportunity to potentially knock off two top 25 teams within the first five weeks.
One is during a huge in-state rivalry against Iowa State in week two on September 7 (week three for Iowa State) in Ames, and the second is during week five during the homecoming game against Indiana on September 27.
Iowa State will most likely remain ranked ahead of the September 7 matchup, but there is a chance Indiana falls out after their game with Illinois before traveling to Iowa City.
The Hawkeye Football program has been consistently good for over a decade, winning eight-plus games every season, except for 2014 (7-6) and the COVID-shortened 2020 season (6-2).
After being consistently good for a long period, Iowa has earned recognition as one of the most underrated teams since 2014.
NEW: AP Poll Voters’ Most Underrated Preseason College Football Teams since 2014 via @Brett_McMurphy👀https://t.co/hqfQy9Q8Sy https://t.co/6YBbMtml77 pic.twitter.com/b2KbTwZGuF
— On3 (@On3sports) August 12, 2025
According to On3 Sports' Brett McMurphy, Iowa checks in at No. 5 on the list of the AP Poll voters' most underrated preseason teams since 2014.
McMurphy based his list of the most underrated teams on teams that did not start the season ranked, but improved their ranking, or ended the season in the AP Top 25.
McMurphy also stated that he assigned point values based on the difference between the preseason and final season rankings.
The Hawkeyes have been consistently good, improving their ranking when they start the season in the top 25.
Last season, Iowa started at No. 25 and climbed as high as No. 21, but finished the season unranked.
The Hawkeyes have a chance to make some noise this season after starting the season unranked and welcoming multiple solid teams to Kinnick Stadium this fall.