Iowa Hawkeyes football ranked #22, confident for 2026 season

The Iowa Hawkeyes are aiming for a strong 2026 season, having been ranked #22 in the pre-season Coaches Poll. Iowa was projected to finish 8th in the Big Ten by media outlets, while fans are more optimistic, expecting a finish in the 4-6 range. With three pre-season All-Big Ten nominees, including Kade Pieper and Zach Lutmer, the team's prospects have prompted discussions within the fanbase about potentially returning to a top-6 finish. Iowa has maintained a top-25 ranking in five of the last seven seasons, although they finished unranked following 2024 and 2022. The Hawkeyes aim to surpass expectations and possibly secure a position in the national rankings by the end of the season.

• 9:46 PMYahoo Sports — Iowa Football: Hawkeyes Expected to Outperform in 2026