Video: Kirk Ferentz on Iowa’s QB play during Kids’ Day at Kinnick
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz addresses the media following Kids’ Day at Kinnick on Saturday, August 10, 2024.
IOWA CITY — The preseason Associated Press college football poll top 25 has been released.
Did Iowa football find its way into the initial AP rankings heading into the 2024 college football season?
Iowa rankings update
Iowa football made the cut, landing at No. 25.
It is a relatively reasonable starting point for the Hawkeyes, though there is optimism that they can finish much better than that. With several key returners, Iowa is projected to have an elite defense again but the offense remains a major question mark entering the season under new coordinator Tim Lester.
More: Iowa football: Closer look at Saturday’s spotty quarterback play, with video from Kinnick
Development between now and the Hawkeyes’ regular-season opener against Illinois State on Aug. 31 is crucial.
AP college football rankings, preseason
Iowa is one of six Big Ten teams to be included in the preseason AP top 25. Two of the nation’s top three teams are from the conference — with Ohio State checking in at No. 2 and Oregon following right behind at No. 3.
The Big Ten also made up nearly half of the top 10 — with four teams in that group hailing from the conference. Penn State is No. 8 while reigning national champion Michigan ranks No. 9.
The other two Big Ten teams in the rankings were USC at No. 23 and Iowa at No. 25.
Of the teams ranked in the preseason AP top 25, Iowa is only scheduled to face one of them in the regular season. That comes in the form of a road matchup with Ohio State, which figures to be an uphill battle. But other than that, Iowa’s schedule projects to be fairly manageable.
Preseason rankings certainly are not an exact science, especially in the transfer portal era, meaning that Iowa’s schedule could become more difficult than it currently appears. Iowa is set to play a few teams just outside the preseason AP top 25 — such as Nebraska, Wisconsin and Iowa State — who could climb their way up the rankings.
Iowa’s marquee non-conference matchup comes against Iowa State. Despite being hit harder than Iowa by the state’s sports wagering investigation, The Cyclones built some momentum under Matt Campbell last season and could present a serious challenge for Iowa in Week 2.
Iowa’s Big Ten slate is as follows: Minnesota (away), Ohio State (away), Washington (home), Michigan State (away), Northwestern (home), Wisconsin (home), UCLA (away) and Nebraska (home).
AP top-25 Poll
Here is a look at the full preseason AP top 25.
1. Georgia2. Ohio State3. Oregon4. Texas5. Alabama6. Ole Miss7. Notre Dame8. Penn State9. Michigan10. Florida State11. Missouri12. Utah
A reminder that the College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams this season, meaning this is where the theoretical cutoff would be. That group of teams (and set of rankings) is determined by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.
13. LSU14. Clemson15. Tennessee16. Oklahoma17. Oklahoma State18. Kansas State19. Miami (Fla.)20. Texas A&M21. Arizona22. Kansas23. USC24. NC State25. Iowa
Others Receiving Votes
Louisville 111, Virginia Tech 77, Boise St. 47, SMU 33, Iowa St. 33, Liberty 32, Washington 23, West Virginia 17, Memphis 16, Nebraska 16, Wisconsin 15, UTSA 6, Tulane 5, Appalachian St. 4, Kentucky 3, Auburn 2, Colorado 1.
US LBM Coaches Poll
The preseason USA TODAY US LBM college football coaches poll top 25, which was released last week, looked similar from a Big Ten perspective. Iowa also came in at No. 25.
Like the AP poll, two of the nation’s top three teams are from the conference — with Ohio State checking in at No. 2 and Oregon following right behind at No. 3.
More: College football rankings: Where Iowa ranks in preseason top-25 poll
Iowa was also one of six Big Ten teams in the top 25 of those set of rankings.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
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Publish date : 2024-08-12 05:06:00
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