Iowa’s latest win did more than push the record to 7-2. It put the Hawkeyes squarely into a conversation that felt far-fetched not long ago: a team making a late push toward the College Football Playoff.
That 24-10 road victory over Northwestern is the kind of result that makes people take a second look. Iowa may not be getting much national attention, but the Hawkeyes are starting to make that irrelevant by piling up wins and forcing their way into the discussion.
The biggest reason for the optimism came from L.J. Phillips Jr., who finally looked like the back Iowa fans had been waiting to see.
After early-season injuries and a stretch of settling in, Phillips handled the bulk of the carries and delivered the kind of performance that changes how an offense feels. He ran for 128 yards on 21 carries and was the clear centerpiece of Iowa’s attack.
If Phillips keeps running with that kind of force, Iowa becomes much tougher to defend. That’s the kind of ground game that can tilt a game and keep the Hawkeyes on schedule.
There’s also the matter of the defense and the strange little streak that keeps hanging around. Iowa has returned an interception for a touchdown in 18 consecutive seasons, and with at least four games left on the schedule, postseason included, there’s still time to keep that run alive. The author of the source piece even admitted to getting worried about Iowa extending its pick-six streak.
Special teams, meanwhile, has been a strength rather than a concern. That was one of the preseason questions after long-time coach LeVar Woods left for Michigan State and Chris Polizzi took over, but Iowa hasn’t slipped at all. The Hawkeyes have been excellent in that phase.
They’re still finding the end zone on kick and punt returns. The field goal operation is strong.
Caden Buhr keeps growing more confident. Boston Everitt is punting well.
Put it together, and it’s another polished, dependable Iowa special teams group.
The bigger picture is hard to ignore. Iowa is three wins away from 10-2, and the case being made here is simple: a 10-2 Iowa team from the Big Ten should not be left out of the College Football Playoff. If that happens and a three-loss team gets in instead, the source calls it a travesty for the sport.
For now, the Hawkeyes are doing exactly what they need to do. They’re 7-2, they have three winnable games left, and their playoff chances are climbing.
In Other News...
Iowa Just Got Another Sign Fans Should Believe In This Team
Iowas win over Northwestern did more than keep the momentum rolling, it nudged the Hawkeyes five places up to No. 15 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. The 24-10 result gave the Hawkeyes another resume-building step, and it came with a balanced showing that included Hank Brown accounting for two touchdowns, Braeden Jackson taking a kickoff back for a score and L.J. Phillips Jr. piling up 128 rushing yards.
For a team trying to prove it belongs in the national conversation, the poll movement matters almost as much as the performance itself. Iowa now sits in a crowded top 25 that still leaves plenty of room for movement, and the Big Ten presence around the rankings only adds to the sense that every week can reshape the picture. [Read more 🡒]
Iowas Defense Just Sent Another Message With Three Games Left
Northwesterns late quarterback switch gave Iowa one more wrinkle to solve, and the Hawkeyes defense handled it the way it has handled so many opponents this season. With Aidan Chiles likely out, backup Nicco Marchiol got the start and moved the ball at times, but Iowa still controlled the game in a 24-10 win, piling up six sacks and keeping Northwestern to just one touchdown.
Marchiol finished with 24 completions on 32 attempts for 181 yards, and he added 52 rushing yards, but the bigger story was how quickly Iowa adjusted once the matchup changed. For a defense already ranked among the nations best, it was another reminder that the Hawkeyes can absorb a surprise, settle in and keep the pressure on, even with three games left to play. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Just Got An Early Test That Could Shape Everything
Second-ranked Connecticut gave Iowa an early-season measuring stick at Gampel Pavilion, and the Hawkeyes came away with plenty to sort through after a 91-79 loss to the Huskies. Sarah Strong was the difference for UConn, pouring in a career-high 39 points with 10 rebounds, while Iowa still found some resistance from Chit-Chat Wright, who scored 23 points despite playing through an injury.
Ava Heiden added 15 points for Iowa even while dealing with foul trouble and a facial injury, a reminder that the Hawkeyes were short on comfort but not on effort in a game that asked a lot of them. For a team with big ambitions, this was the kind of November test that can reveal more than a lopsided final score, especially when the opponent is elite and the margin for error disappears quickly. [Read more 🡒]