The Iowa Hawkeyes are making headlines even before the 2026 season kicks off. Despite losing a record number of players to the NFL Draft, the national media is buzzing with high expectations for head coach Kirk Ferentz's squad. This week, USA Today placed Iowa in both its national top 25 and Big Ten Conference rankings, signaling that the Hawkeyes are poised for another strong campaign.

In the highly competitive Big Ten, Iowa landed at the No. 7 spot, just behind Penn State and ahead of Washington. Writer Paul Myerberg even predicted a solid 9-4 record for the Hawkeyes. "Look out for Iowa if the offense can maintain last year’s production behind a new starting quarterback," Myerberg noted. He highlighted the impact of coordinator Tim Lester, under whom the Hawkeyes averaged 29.3 points per game and topped 37 points four times in Big Ten play.

On the national stage, Iowa secured the No. 21 ranking, trailing Tennessee but leading Florida State. The key to the season, according to analysts Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg, lies in the offense's ability to sustain its scoring momentum. "What will decide Iowa’s season is whether the offense can continue to hover around 30 points per game while breaking in a new starting quarterback, whether that’s Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown," they wrote. The good news? Whoever takes the reins will have the luxury of a loaded backfield, among the best in the Big Ten.

Defensively, the Hawkeyes are also turning heads. Despite losing key contributors, the program's long track record on defense inspires confidence. "On paper, the strength of this year’s unit is in the secondary, where Zach Lutmer and Deshaun Lee lead the way," the analysts added. With a blend of offensive firepower and a stout defense, Iowa looks ready to make noise in 2026.