Key Takeaways
- Iowa football is ranked No. 21 in USA TODAY Sports Network’s too-early top 25 for the 2026 season
- The Hawkeyes lost 27 seniors, including key players at quarterback and both lines, but feel good about their internal options
- Texas is ranked as the No. 1 team in the too-early 2026 rankings, followed by Ohio State and Georgia
- The top 25 rankings are dominated by teams from the SEC and Big Ten conferences
- Iowa’s offense could be strong behind left tackle Trevor Lauck and star right guard Kade Pieper, while quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski holds the early edge for the starting job
Introduction to the Rankings
The USA TODAY Sports Network has released its too-early top 25 rankings for the 2026 college football season, and Iowa football has been ranked No. 21. The rankings were released on January 19, the day of the college football national championship game featuring Indiana and Miami. The Hawkeyes had a successful 2025 season, finishing with a 9-4 record, but will face challenges in the upcoming season due to the loss of 27 seniors, including key players at quarterback and both lines.
Analyzing Iowa’s Prospects
Despite the significant losses, the Hawkeyes feel good about their internal options. The offensive line could be a strong point for the team, with left tackle Trevor Lauck and star right guard Kade Pieper leading the way. At quarterback, former Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski holds the early edge for the starting job. However, the team still needs to address the loss of safety Koen Entringer and find transfer help up front on defense. Iowa’s track record on defense is strong, which gives the team a solid foundation to build on.
The Top 25 Rankings
The top 25 rankings are dominated by teams from the SEC and Big Ten conferences. Texas is ranked as the No. 1 team, followed by Ohio State and Georgia. Indiana, which is currently undefeated and playing in the national championship game, is ranked No. 4. Other notable teams in the top 25 include Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Alabama. The rankings are subject to change as the offseason progresses and teams make adjustments to their rosters.
Conference Representation
The SEC and Big Ten conferences are well-represented in the top 25 rankings. The SEC has several teams in the top 10, including Texas, Georgia, and Alabama, while the Big Ten has teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State in the top 25. The ACC and Pac-12 conferences also have teams in the rankings, including Clemson, Oregon, and Southern California. The representation of different conferences in the rankings reflects the competitive balance of college football and the strength of different teams across the country.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The 2026 college football season is still several months away, but the too-early top 25 rankings provide a glimpse into what to expect. Iowa, ranked No. 21, will face challenges in replacing key players, but the team’s internal options and strong defensive track record give it a solid foundation to build on. The top 25 rankings will likely change as the offseason progresses, but for now, they provide a starting point for discussion and analysis of the upcoming season. As the season approaches, fans and analysts will be watching to see how teams like Iowa and others in the top 25 rankings perform and whether they can live up to their preseason expectations.