Iowa’s path to the 2026 season is already sitting there in plain sight, and the AP Top 25 preseason poll only sharpens the picture. The Hawkeyes landed at No. 22, and with that ranking comes a schedule packed with chances to make real noise in the Big Ten.
The opener inside conference play comes fast: a road trip to No. 17 Michigan.
That one gives Iowa an immediate shot to show the league where it stands. There’s no easing into the season, no waiting around for a softer landing.
And the next two tests arrive just as quickly. Iowa comes home to face No.
1 Ohio State, a game that could shake up the College Football Playoff conversation in a hurry. After that, the Hawkeyes head to No.
16 Washington for a Friday night kickoff, a third straight game against a preseason-ranked opponent and a tough spot on a short week.
That kind of stretch should feel familiar. In 2025, Iowa finished 12 points shy across games against Indiana, Oregon, and USC.
The Big Ten’s size now keeps handing the Hawkeyes opportunities like this, but in 2026 the challenge is different: close won’t be enough. Iowa has to start cashing in.
The Hawkeyes want to sit in the same upper tier as Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. The schedule gives them the chance to prove they belong there. But if those ranked matchups all slip away, the playoff path disappears again, and Iowa remains stuck with the distinction of having the most wins without a College Football Playoff appearance.
AP Top 25 preseason rankings for Big Ten teams included No. 1 Ohio State, No.
2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No.
14 USC, No. 16 Washington, No.
17 Michigan, No. 18 Penn State and No.
22 Iowa. Illinois and Minnesota also received votes.
In Other News...
Iowas Running Back Battle Could Shape How This Offense Starts
Running backs coach Jay Norvell spent local media day talking about a position group that could end up defining how Iowas offense gets going this fall. With Kamari Moulton, Xavier Williams, Nathan McNeil and transfer LJ Phillips Jr. all in the mix, the Hawkeyes have a room that appears built around competition, depth and a chance for someone to separate before the season opens.
Norvell also used the moment to reflect on his own ties to Iowa, sharing favorite memories from his time as a player and saying how much it means to coach in the state. But the bigger storyline remains on the field, where the Hawkeyes are counting on that group to develop quickly and sort itself out as the offense looks for a reliable starting point. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Quarterback Battle Could Define What This Offense Becomes
Iowas quarterback race is starting to look like more than just a depth-chart decision. Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are offering two very different paths for Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, with the staff sorting through both statistical data and what the eye test says about each players command of the offense.
Hecklinski brings a more aggressive willingness to push the ball downfield, while Brown has leaned into a steadier, more conservative style that fits Iowas long-standing identity. For Ferentz, the choice is about more than who wins the job in camp, because the answer could help determine whether this offense stays rooted in ball security or tries to stretch itself into something different. [Read more 🡒]
Cam Buffington Is Quietly Taking On Iowas Biggest Linebacker Responsibility
Cam Buffington has spent fall camp positioning himself for one of the most important jobs in Iowas defense, and the early signs are encouraging. With three years of eligibility remaining, the linebacker has been working toward the MIKE role, the spot that often serves as the traffic cop for the whole unit, and the staff has liked what it has seen from him in that setting.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker has singled out Buffington for the way he leads by example and approaches the game, traits that matter even more when the job requires constant communication and quick defensive adjustments. There is still a lot to prove, but the Hawkeyes appear to have a young linebacker with the temperament and upside to grow into a central piece of the defense. [Read more 🡒]