Spring ball has reached its conclusion, and the chapter now turns to training camp, which will be upon college football fans before they realize it. The summer doldrums have arrived, but for the Iowa Hawkeyes, a quarterback competition and a myriad of new faces from the transfer portal have given them enough to chew on during these next few months.
While Kirk Ferentz, Phil Parker, and Tim Lester remain on the coaching staff, the roster construction and the number of new faces suggest it could be the beginning of a new era for Iowa football. The Hawkeyes saw a healthy group go to the NFL, which has opened up spots for many new faces.
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Those new faces can shine under the lights or wilt with the pressure. Only time will tell, but one thing that is known right now is USA TODAY Sports’ belief in Iowa football ahead of the 2026 college football season.
In their 1-138 re-rank at the conclusion of spring practice, USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg is giving Iowa the benefit of the doubt due to their sustained success and slotting them as the No. 24 team in the country at the moment.
Iowa sits here with a high floor that is almost a lock to be at least eight or nine wins. Iowa has not won fewer than eight games since 2014, when it went 7-6, excluding the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season, which saw Iowa go 6-2.
Surrounding Iowa is a group of teams with question marks. At No. 20, No. 21, and No. 22 are Michigan, Penn State, and Utah, three programs with new head coaches. Sandwiching Iowa, Boise State is No. 23, while TCU is No. 25. After that, a quartet of Arizona State, Clemson, Washington, and Florida State reside, in a group of teams with high ceilings, but low floors.
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With the new faces Iowa is going to have, headlined by the unknown answer to the quarterback battle, it’s hard to knock this ranking. Iowa’s defense, led by defensive coordinator Phil Parker, gives the Hawkeyes the upside that few teams in the country have if the offense can click.
If the offense sputters and struggles against solid Big Ten opponents, it is a recipe for a Music City Bowl appearance for the Hawkeyes, which justifies being just inside the top 25 line.
The top five in the rankings consist of No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Georgia, and No. 5 Indiana, the defending national champions.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa football just inside top 25 of USA TODAY Sports 1-138 Rankings
