Iowa football's 2020 team could have reached a 24-team playoff
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 12:15 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
The 2020 Iowa Hawkeyes finished their season with a six-game winning streak, concluding with a 6-2 overall record. Under a hypothetical 24-team College Football Playoff format, Iowa would have been seeded No. 15 based on their final CFP rankings. Despite early losses to Purdue and Northwestern, the Hawkeyes rebounded and were poised for a stronger showing before the season ended due to COVID-19 cancellations. A potential quarterfinal matchup against Iowa State would have heightened in-state rivalry as fans missed their regular season contest, which was canceled due to the pandemic.
- •Iowa finished 2020 with a 6-2 record and No. 16 in the AP Poll.
- •The Hawkeyes won their last six games after early-season losses.
- •COVID-19 caused cancellations of key games against Michigan and Missouri.
- •Iowa would have been No. 15 seed in a 24-team playoff.
- •The Cy-Hawk game cancellation added to the 2020 season's difficulties.
- 12:15 PMYahoo Sports — How The 2021 Iowa Football Team Would Stack Up In A 24-Team CFP Field
- 12:15 PMYahoo Sports — How The 2020 Iowa Football Team Would Stack Up In A 24-Team CFP Field
"In one of the most bizarre seasons in college football history, the 2020 Hawkeyes ended the year on a six-game winning streak.
"The 2021 Hawkeyes returned to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time since 2015.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 26, 2026, 12:15 PMHow The 2021 Iowa Football Team Would Stack Up In A 24-Team CFP Field
The 2021 Hawkeyes returned to the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time since 2015.
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 12:15 PMHow The 2020 Iowa Football Team Would Stack Up In A 24-Team CFP Field
In one of the most bizarre seasons in college football history, the 2020 Hawkeyes ended the year on a six-game winning streak.
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