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Iowa Football: Hawkeyes Not in AP Poll and Coaches Poll
A look at the newest AP Poll and Coaches Poll
The Iowa Hawkeyes didn’t suffer another loss this weekend. Iowa defeated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 14-7 in a very poorly played game, one in which there was just seven points on the board heading into the fourth quarter.
Following the Hawkeyes loss to North Dakota State, there were obvious issues Iowa needed to address. They failed to do so in their loss to Rutgers and might have even added a couple of more. Either way, the Hawkeyes did grab another win to start the season 3-1. Still, when it comes to the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, it takes more than just wins to get ranked, especially against lesser competition like Rutgers.
After still being ranked 25th in the Coaches Poll last week, the Hawkeyes have completely fallen out of it this week. The Hawkeyes still received a surprising 127 votes, making them the unofficial 26th ranked team in the Coaches Poll.
However, until the College Football Playoff Ranking comes out, the AP Poll is the more respected poll. The Hawkeyes were knocked out of the AP Poll last week, ranking a mere 30th. This week, it got even worse. Iowa only received 25 votes, dropping them to 33rd.
It’s evident that just winning won’t be enough for Iowa if they want to be ranked, again. They’ll need to get back to blowing out mediocre teams like they did in the first two weeks.
Ohio State and Michigan stayed at #2 and #4, respectively. Wisconsin jumped into the top-10 at #8 this week, as well. With a win over Northwestern, Nebraska went from #20 to #15, and Michigan State dropped out of the top-10 all the way to #17 after Wisconsin dropped them 30-6 in one of the more surprising blowouts of the day.
Along with Iowa, Maryland received two votes to be ranked this week. The Big Ten will consistently have five members in the top-25 until Iowa jumps back in or one of them hits a wall and goes on an unexpected losing streak.
Two new teams jumped into the AP Poll top-25 this week. TCU re-entered at #21 and Boise State is making its first appearance at #24 after starting the season 3-0. Arizona State, Oklahoma and North Dakota State are the three closest teams to being ranked.
The Hawkeyes have even more ground to cover if they want to be ranked again. It likely won’t happen, if it does again in 2016, until they play their tough stretch of games that includes Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan. Although, getting back on the right track in the coming week against Northwestern will be important. The Wildcats are just 1-3 to start the season and a loss to a struggling team would be detrimental to making a New Year’s Six Bowl for the Hawkeyes.
A closer look at the AP Poll top-10:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide 4-0
2. Ohio State Buckeyes 3-0
3. Louisville Cardinals 4-0
4. Michigan Wolverines 4-0
5. Clemson Tigers 4-0
6. Houston Cougars 4-0
7. Stanford Cardinal 3-0
8. Wisconsin Badgers 4-0
9. Texas A&M Aggies 4-0
10. Washington Huskies 4-0
Iowa currently has two opponents in the top-10 remaining on their schedule.
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