Iowa's slight jump in the AP Top 25 rankings is just about right after crushing NIU

Iowa opened the season at No. 21 in the AP Top 25 rankings and proved why they are one of the best 25 teams in college football in week one.

The Hawkeyes absolutely crushed the Northern Illinois Huskies, keeping them off the scoreboard and dominating in every facet of the game. Iowa's offense was humming, the defense was stifling, and the new-look special teams unit took a good first step in week one. While NIU was more of a speed bump than a challenge, the Hawkeyes took a rare week-one rankings boost.

Iowa moved up one spot in the AP Top 25 rankings to No. 21 overall

Iowa's top-25 ranking wasn't ever in danger in week one, but they will be tested in week two. Iowa welcomes hated rival Iowa State to Kinnick Stadium for a game under the lights in week two, but before kickoff, the Hawkeyes received a small boost in the rankings.

After Michigan fell completely out of the top 25 following a questionable win over Western Michigan in week one, everyone got a slight bump in the rankings, including the Hawkeyes. Iowa moved from No. 22 to No. 21 overall, just missing the top 20. While a win against Iowa State is massive for in-state bragging rights, Iowa likely won't move in the rankings until after a difficult week four matchup against Michigan in Ann Arbor. The early matchup against Iowa State is always a barometer for how well either program will do for the remainder of the season, and it will go a long way for Iowa if they easily handle Iowa State.

The Hawkeyes are an uncharacteristically massive favorite against the Cyclones, but they can't afford to overlook them. Iowa State isn't expected to win this game, and Jimmy Rogers is looking for an early signature win to kick off his tenure in Ames. What better way to start your career than knocking off a ranked rival in their building when you aren't expected to win? Iowa has all the pressure on them, and if they want to live up to that No. 21 ranking, they must take care of business against Iowa State. Regardless of how the matchup looks on paper, Iowa can't take Iowa State lightly, or the Cyclones could surprise them and win their fourth game in the past five seasons.

For now, the Hawkeyes sit at No. 21 in the rankings after a well-deserved boost after dominating NIU, and if they want to stay ranked, they can't let Iowa State hang around in week two and have any hope of completing a massive upset in front of a raucous Kinnick Stadium crowd.

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