Iowa Football Climbs to Highest Coaches Poll Spot in Years

With the 2025-26 college football season officially in the books-capped by Indiana’s thrilling 27-21 win over Miami in the CFP National Championship-it’s time to take stock of the final US LBM Coaches Poll. And for Iowa football, the postseason brought more than just a bowl victory. It delivered a well-earned climb in national respect.

After knocking off then-No. 12 Vanderbilt 34-27 in the ReliaQuest Bowl, Iowa surged to No. 17 in the final Coaches Poll.

That marks the Hawkeyes’ highest finish since 2020, when they closed the year at No. 15.

For a program that’s built its identity on physicality, defense, and disciplined football, this season’s strong finish is a testament to their consistency and resilience.

The win over Vanderbilt wasn’t just a nice cap to the season-it was a statement. The Commodores came in with a 10-2 record and plenty of momentum, but Iowa controlled key stretches of the game and made enough plays on both sides of the ball to seal the deal. It was the kind of performance that turns heads in January and sets the tone for the offseason.

Zooming out, the Big Ten had a powerful showing in the final rankings, led by none other than Indiana, the undefeated national champs at 16-0. The Hoosiers finish at No. 1 after their storybook run, followed by Oregon at No. 4 and Ohio State at No. 6-both programs that have become staples in the national conversation.

USC (No. 21), Michigan (No. 22), and Illinois (No. 25) round out the conference’s presence in the top 25, while Washington just missed the cut, landing in the “receiving votes” category with 92.

Here’s how the full top 25 shakes out:

1. Indiana (16-0) - The Hoosiers complete a perfect season and claim the national title. A dream run that ends with 62 first-place votes and the top spot.
2. Miami (FL) (13-3) - The Hurricanes fall just short in the title game but make a massive leap in the final poll, jumping eight spots to finish runner-up.
3. Ole Miss (13-2) - A strong postseason pushes the Rebels into the top three. They’ve been steady all year and finish at their highest point of the season.
4. Oregon (13-2) - The Ducks continue to be one of the most consistent programs in the country. Another top-five finish cements that status.
5. Georgia (12-2) - A slight dip to close the year, but the Bulldogs remain in elite company.
6. Ohio State (12-2) - The Buckeyes slide a few spots but remain inside the top 10. Another strong season for a perennial powerhouse.
7. Texas Tech (12-2) - One of the biggest risers this year, the Red Raiders made some serious noise and finish inside the top 10.
8. Texas A&M (11-2) - A quiet but effective season ends with a top-10 finish.
9. Alabama (11-4) - The Crimson Tide climb two spots to close out a rollercoaster season.
10. Oklahoma (10-3) - The Sooners dip slightly but still round out the top 10.
11. Notre Dame (10-2) - The Irish drop two spots but maintain a strong finish.
12. BYU (12-2) - A 12-win season and a one-spot bump to end the year. Solid campaign for the Cougars.
13. Texas (10-3) - The Longhorns move up one spot and remain in the national mix.
14. Utah (11-2) - Another quietly successful season for the Utes, who also rise one spot.
15. Vanderbilt (10-3) - The loss to Iowa stings, but it doesn’t erase a strong year for the Commodores.
16. Virginia (11-3) - One of the biggest jumps in the final poll, the Cavaliers climb five spots after a strong finish.
17. Iowa (9-4) - The Hawkeyes vault into the rankings with a nine-spot leap. Their bowl win over Vanderbilt was the exclamation point on a solid season.
18. Tulane (11-3) - Holding steady at No. 18, the Green Wave continue to build on recent success.
19. Houston (10-3) - The Cougars move up five spots, finishing the year on a high note.
20. James Madison (12-2) - A slight dip to No. 20, but a 12-win season is nothing to scoff at.
21. USC (9-4) - The Trojans fall five spots to close the year but remain in the top 25.
22. Michigan (9-4) - Same story for the Wolverines, who drop five spots after a tough end to the season.
23. Navy (11-2) - The Midshipmen move up two spots and cap off a strong campaign.
24. Georgia Tech (9-4) - A slight drop for the Yellow Jackets, but a top-25 finish nonetheless.
25. Illinois (9-4) - The Illini re-enter the rankings, jumping seven spots to close out the year.

Dropped Out: Arizona and Tennessee both fall out of the final rankings.

Others Receiving Votes: North Texas (107), Washington (92), SMU (89), Duke (82), Arizona (79), TCU (72), Tennessee (22), Louisville (13), Wake Forest (6), Old Dominion (6), Western Michigan (5), Connecticut (4), Missouri (3), Boise State (2), Pittsburgh (1), East Carolina (1), Army West Point (1).

As the dust settles on another wild college football season, Iowa’s climb into the top 20 is a reflection of how far the program has come-and how much potential it still has. With momentum on their side, the Hawkeyes head into the offseason with a clear message: they’re not just knocking on the door of national relevance-they’re already inside.