The Iowa Hawkeyes are 6-2 on the season with only one loss in the Big Ten to the top team in the conference. They are one of the top five teams in the Big Ten and have been looking better and better each week; however, the AP Top 25 has not deemed them worthy of their rankings, but the College Football Playoff selection committee feels differently.
The Hawkeyes surprised everyone when they showed up at No. 20 in the initial rankings by the selection committee. In all honesty, the Hawkeyes have been waiting for this. Iowa is the only team to play Indiana, the top team in the Big Ten and the No. 2 team in the rankings, close this season, and each week, the offense has been getting better and better.
BREAKING: Initial College Football Playoff Rankings🚨https://t.co/nSJbXtt30A pic.twitter.com/RsQCtcadOG
— On3 (@On3sports) November 5, 2025
Now, with two losses, Iowa may not have a great shot at making it into the College Football Playoff, but crazy things always happen at the end of a football season. The Hakeyes, at this point, need to put their head down and just continue to win.
Looking at the rest of Iowa's season, they face No. 6 Oregon this upcoming weekend and then finish the season against Michigan State and Nebraska. The game against Oregon will be the most important, as a win against the Ducks could really improve Iowa's chances of being close to the playoff.
The Hawkeyes will also be keeping a close eye on teams like Indiana and Ohio State because if one of them loses a game or two, Iowa has a real chance to have a spot in the Big Ten Championship. If Iowa can get into the championship, then it could somehow steal a spot in the CFP with an automatic bid.
Either way, Iowa certainly surprised many with its ranking in the CFP rankings, and now it is time to just keep moving up.