We have college football being played this month! Ahead of the upcoming season, multiple preseason watchlists and rankings have been released, with many of them favoring the Hawkeyes to make a jump this season.
Every major media pundit has released their opinions on what will happen next season, and the general consensus is Iowa Football will finish in the top half of the Big Ten. They have also been named as a dark horse team to make their first College Football Playoff.
If Iowa's offense can leap forward with new quarterback Mark Gronowski under center, the Hawkeyes will be a difficult team this season.
Gronowski was recently shown at practice dropping dimes to his receivers, and looks to be fully healthy ahead of Iowa's first game against UAlbany on August 30.
Everyone knows the strength of the Iowa program is rooted in their defense and special teams units. Iowa's defense took a small step back last season, and they are looking to return to the stifling form of defense everyone knows.
That begins up front with the defensive line, and the unit is being projected as one of the top overall units in college football.
Veteran college football writer Phil Steele released his top 25 defensive line units of 2025 list, ranking the Hawkeyes at No. 8 overall. Steele ranked Iowa behind Penn State (No. 3) and Michigan (No. 5) in the Big Ten.
Iowa's defensive line will be a strength of the program this season after returning three solid contributors from last season.
Aaron Graves, Ethan Hurkett, and Max Llewellyn returned to the squad this year, following a productive 2024-2025 season.
The trio combined for 111 total tackles, including 27.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks. They also forced a combined seven fumbles.
The success of the Iowa defense will depend on the defensive line to cause pressure on the quarterback and force bad throws. The linebackers and secondary will also have multiple new faces and will need the line to help set the tone.