The buzz around the Iowa Hawkeyes is palpable. It seems like just a matter of time before they secure their long-awaited spot in the College Football Playoff.
Last season, they were tantalizingly close, missing the 12-team cut by a mere five points against Indiana and Oregon. That's right, just five points stood between them and a potential playoff berth.
Now, as we look ahead to the 2026 season, Iowa is being whispered about as a Big Ten sleeper. But instead of speculating about the schedule, let's zero in on what Iowa can actually control. After all, college football has a way of surprising us-just look at Indiana's rise a few years back.
Iowa's defense is where it all begins. This unit has been a rock, consistently keeping the Hawkeyes in games with their ability to shut down drives, force turnovers, and even put points on the board themselves. Their defensive discipline sets a high floor for the team, making them a tough out for any opponent.
Then there's the running game, which is poised to be a force this season. With a backfield brimming with talent, Iowa could easily surpass last year's 2,300 rushing yards.
With a new quarterback at the helm, the ground game is likely to be leaned on even more heavily. Imagine Iowa pounding the rock and wearing down defenses on those chilly late-December days.
That's a scenario most teams would prefer to avoid.
However, the quarterback situation remains a critical factor. It's been a bit of an Achilles' heel for Iowa throughout the 2020s.
Until Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown steps up, opponents will likely stack the box and dare Iowa to beat them through the air. If the quarterbacks can't deliver, it could be a case of déjà vu, reminiscent of the struggles from 2021 to 2023.
And while it seems unlikely, a defensive regression could also pose a threat. With Phil Parker at the helm, Iowa's defense feels almost immune to significant drop-offs, maintaining at least an above-average level. But if the defense does slip and the offense stagnates, the Hawkeyes might find themselves battling just to secure a bowl game, rather than eyeing a playoff spot.
In essence, Iowa's path to the College Football Playoff is clear: leverage their defensive prowess, unleash their potent running game, and hope for a breakthrough at quarterback. If they can piece it all together, 2026 might just be the year the Hawkeyes make their mark on the national stage.
In Other News...
Jan Jensen Is Closing In On A Massive Iowa Recruiting Win
Jan Jensens Iowa program has already made real noise in the recruiting cycle, headlined by the addition of five-star forward McKenna Woliczko and Ella Stromdahl in the 2026 class. Now the Hawkeyes are pushing to keep that momentum going by targeting backcourt help for the future, with multiple offers out to highly regarded players in the 2028 group as the staff looks to build out guard depth for the seasons ahead.
One of the most intriguing names in that mix is Jhaliana Guy, who recently made an unofficial visit to Iowa City and gives the Hawkeyes a chance to make an impression in a chase that has some built-in appeal for the program. Iowa has been active with her recruitment, and the fact that she fits the kind of guard target the Hawkeyes need only adds to the stakes as Jensen and her staff try to turn interest into a major win. [Read more 🡒]
Brad Underwood Is Right In The Middle Of A Big Ten Debate
Ben McCollums first year in Iowa City gave the Hawkeyes a real foothold in a Big Ten coaching conversation that only gets louder as the league keeps shifting around them. Iowa did not look like a team stuck in transition for long stretches, and the programs recent Elite Eight run under the previous staff still hangs over the way people measure what the ceiling can be if the pieces keep coming together.
Brad Underwood is part of that wider debate because Illinois has been one of the leagues standard-bearers on the offensive end, and his recruiting has kept the Illini in the mix year after year. But when the discussion turns to the coaches who have shaped the conferences hierarchy, Matt Painters staying power and roster management remain hard to ignore, which is why the rankings around these names feel less settled than ever. [Read more 🡒]
Ava Heiden Made One Big Offseason Choice Iowa Fans Need To See
Ava Heiden already arrived in Iowa City with the kind of rsum that makes a roster better the moment she steps on the floor. Last season, the post player was one of the top bigs in womens college basketball, putting up 18.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting with impressive efficiency, then backing it up with First Team All-Big Ten recognition and AP All-American Honorable Mention.
This offseason, though, Heiden made a choice that says plenty about where her priorities are. Rather than spending the summer away from campus, she stayed in Iowa City to keep working with the Hawkeyes, take part in an internship and attend leadership conferences, a setup that keeps her plugged into the program and around younger teammates who can learn from her. For Iowa, that means one of its most proven players is using the summer to deepen her role in more ways than one, even as the bigger payoff from that decision is still unfolding. [Read more 🡒]