Iowa Football: Hawkeyes Closer to Being Ranked in AP Poll

A look at this week’s AP Poll and where the Hawkeyes rank

Iowa football has gone 2-2 since their impressive 2-0 start to the 2016 season. After being ranked in the AP Poll top-25 through the first two weeks, Iowa has fallen out and received zero votes following their loss to Northwestern a week ago.

Iowa bounced back this past week against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, winning 14-7. While the Hawkeyes haven’t done enough to be ranked, again, they did receive three votes. It’s still a far cry from the top-25, although Iowa is moving back onto the voters’ radar and wins over Purdue and now-eighth ranked Wisconsin over the coming weeks could land them a spot in the top-25.

The Hawkeyes have plenty of chances in the second half of the season to redeem their disappointing first half. They host three top-10 teams in their final six games: #4 Michigan, #8 Wisconsin and #10 Nebraska. Of course, those rankings could change between now and when Iowa plays them, although, as of now, the Hawkeyes have a lot of beef left in their schedule.

The Big Ten owns an unbelievable four teams in the top-10 this week, including two in position to make the College Football Playoff. Along with the three previously mentioned teams, Ohio State is ranked second in this week’s AP Poll.

The top-five stayed the same, although there was movement in the other half of the top-10. Texas A&M jumped from eight to six after their overtime win over Tennessee, and Houston dropped out of the top-10 to #13 following being upset by Navy. Miami (FL) also dropped out of the top-10 after a blocked extra point late in the fourth quarter to Florida State forced them to lose and drop to #16.

New teams added to the top-25 include: #23 Auburn, #24 Western Michigan and #25 Navy. It’s been a wild year of college football, so far, and the drastic movement in the AP Poll every week represents that.

Here’s a closer look at the AP Poll top-10:

1. Alabama Crimson Tide 6-0

2. Ohio State Buckeyes 5-0

3. Clemson Tigers 6-0

4. Michigan Wolverines 6-0

5. Washington Huskies 6-0

6. Texas A&M Aggies 6-0

7. Louisville Cardinals 4-1

8. Wisconsin Badgers 4-1

9. Tennessee Volunteers 5-1

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers 5-0

The Iowa Hawkeyes will take on the Big Ten bottom-dweller Purdue Boilermakers this week. Although, it’ll take a more significant win for Iowa to jump back into the AP Poll top-25.