Hawkeyes land at No. 22 in AP preseason Top 25
The University of Iowa football team will open the 2026 season as a nationally ranked program after being placed at No. 22 in Monday’s Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll. The selection follows a 2025 campaign that concluded with a bowl victory and a top-20 final ranking.
Iowa finished the 2025 season 9-4 and closed the year ranked No. 17 in the final AP poll after defeating Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The preseason placement marks the Hawkeyes’ 12th time starting a season ranked under head coach Kirk Ferentz, who enters his 28th season leading the program.
What the ranking means for Iowa
Starting the year at No. 22 carries both recognition and expectations. It signals respect from national voters based on last season’s results and the program’s stability under a long-tenured coach, while setting an external benchmark the team will be measured against in early-season matchups.
It is also the Hawkeyes’ highest preseason ranking since 2021, when they opened at No. 18. Voters factored in Iowa’s bowl victory and the continuity of Ferentz’s staff as reasons to include the team in the Top 25.
Conference and statewide context
Iowa’s incoming ranking contrasts with in-state rival Iowa State, which did not appear in the preseason AP poll. The Cyclones went through a significant off-season shakeup when coach Matt Campbell accepted the head coaching job at Penn State, taking multiple players and assistants with him. Both Iowa and Iowa State are scheduled to open their seasons at home on Sept. 5, with the teams set to meet at Kinnick Stadium the following week.
In addition to the AP poll, Iowa also received recognition in the coaches’ poll released earlier this month, reinforcing the perception among peers that the program remains competitive entering the new season.
National Top 25 snapshot
The preseason AP Top 25 reflects national expectations and includes several perennial powerhouses near the top of the list. Leading the poll are programs that have consistently been in championship conversations.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State |
| 2 | Oregon |
| 3 | Georgia |
| 22 | Iowa |
What to watch this summer and early fall
As camp opens and the preseason progresses, several local storylines will determine whether the Hawkeyes can climb from their No. 22 starting point or fall out of the rankings:
- Player development and health during training camp, especially at key positions returning from the 2025 roster.
- How the coaching staff manages continuity in systems and schemes in its 28th year under Ferentz.
- Early nonconference results and the Sept. 5 home opener — results that often shape voters’ impressions in the first few weeks.
For fans and observers, the Sept. 5 opener and the subsequent home game against Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium will provide immediate context for whether the preseason ranking accurately reflects the team’s 2026 prospects.
The full preseason AP Top 25 includes Ohio State, Oregon and Georgia at the top, with teams such as Notre Dame, Texas and Indiana also appearing high on the list. Several programs received votes but did not make the Top 25, reflecting the competitive landscape across college football.
With the national spotlight back on college football, Hawkeye supporters will be watching practices, depth charts and the early games closely. The preseason ranking offers a baseline for expectations — but as every season shows, rankings can change quickly once games begin.
Coverage of training camp, roster updates and the Sept. 5 opener will follow as the calendar moves closer to kickoff.
