Iowa's precarious spot in the AP Preseason rankings is right where they should be

With just a few Saturdays left until college football returns, we know where the Hawkeyes will begin the season in the AP Top 25 rankings.

The Hawkeyes are coming off a 9-4 season overall, but lost multiple key contributors after last season. Three of the five starting offensive linemen are now in the NFL, all four starting defensive linemen are gone, and we still don't know who will start at quarterback. While the program has a lot of question marks heading into next season, the AP Poll isn't doubting Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes.

The Hawkeyes are one of 8 ranked Big Ten teams, checking in at No. 22

Iowa finished the 2025-2026 season strong, and despite missing multiple starters and former key contributors, the roster still has a lot of talent. We got a glimpse of how good the offense can be when quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski torched the defense during the Kids Day open practice, and while the defense looked good, the unit still has a few kinks to work out before game one against Northern Illinois. The Hawkeyes have been flying under the radar due to the starting quarterback situation and the uncertainty on both lines, but the AP Preseason Poll got it right.

Iowa checked in at No. 22 in the AP Preseason Top 25 poll, the eighth Big Ten team in the rankings behind Ohio State (No. 1), Oregon (No. 2), Indiana (No. 6), USC (No. 14), Michigan (No.16), Washington (No. 17), and Penn State (No. 18). While some might feel the Hawkeyes don't deserve to be ranked because of several holes in the depth chart, that could not be further from the truth. The offense is poised to be one of the best overall units the program has had in a while, with weapons across the board, and the defense is traditionally solid under Phil Parker.

The defense will definitely be the unit to watch after it was hit hardest by departures, but that does not mean it lacks talent. Phil Parker always finds ways to get the most out of his unit, and it has ranked inside the top 10 in total defense in three of the past five seasons, ranking as high as No. 2 overall during the 2022-2023 season. The unit returns multiple players who are primed to earn expanded roles, including Zach Lutmer, Iose Epenesa, Cam Buffington, and Kenneth Merrieweather, among others, and did well in the transfer portal.

The defense signed multiple under-the-radar transfers, including DB Anthony Hawkins (Villanova), DT Brice Stevenson (Holy Cross), Edge Kahmari Brown (Elon), and safety Tyler Brown (JMU), all of whom should make an immediate impact. They aren't household names just yet, but by the end of the season, everyone will know who they are.

All the offensive skill positions are also very deep, especially at running back and tight end, something that the offense traditionally relies on. Even though Ferentz hasn't named a starting quarterback yet, it isn't as big of a deal because of all the weapons the offense has. Having so many weapons at the skill positions gives Ferentz plenty of time to sit on the quarterback decision and make sure it is the right one. Hecklinski was easily the MVP of the open practice last weekend, but Ferentz hasn't rushed to name a starter, and probably won't until we get closer to the first game.

Iowa's offense could be the determining factor in keeping the Hawkeyes in the CFP hunt

Normally, anyone hyping up the Iowa offense before the season would be called crazy, but the unit has the potential to finally be the deciding factor for the program this season. If the defense falters or takes a step back, the program is normally in trouble, but that might not be the case this season. Hecklinski looked extremely confident and carved up the defense during the Aug. 15 open practice, leading Parker to claim he doesn't enjoy going up against the Iowa offense to this point. The defense generally dictates how the Kids Day open practice goes, but it was the complete opposite this season.

Regardless of whether it was Hecklinski or projected third-string quarterback Jimmy Sullivan under center, the offense was rolling, and everyone got involved. The big-name players like DJ Vonnahme, Tony Diaz, and Reece Vander Zee made plays, but guys like first-year players Isaiah Oliver and Brady Schaffer had touchdown receptions, not to mention how good transfer running back LJ Phillips looked. The pieces are there, and if the starting quarterback and OC Tim Lester can get everyone on the same page, don't be surprised if the offense looks drastically improved this season.

Everyone has cautious optimism about the offense because, as Iowa fans, we have all been let down before and have been left wanting more. Even in years where Iowa had a top-10-ranked defense, the offense didn't carry its weight. No one is saying the offense will immediately vault into the top-10, or even the top-20, but just hovering around the top 40 to 50 would be good enough. If the Hawkeyes have balance on both sides of the football, there is a very good chance they end their CFP draught and make the field for the first time in program history.

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