With the calendar showing 2026 and the College Football Playoff now over and the 2026 college football season getting full steam ahead, the Iowa Hawkeyes are eager to continue the success they’ve had with their program.
The Hawkeyes’ defense is as stout and stingy as ever in 2025, allowing opponents minimal offensive success, but their own offense is more compelling this year. Quarterback Mark Gronowski, who left Iowa State after exhausting all of his eligibility, transformed Iowa’s offense into one that can score points and move the ball.
advertise
The challenges facing Iowa State in 2026 have their roots in the offense. Iowa is replacing Gronowski and must supplement the offensive line and find successful skill positions from the transfer portal. Despite these doubts, On3 still leads Iowa in the top 25 rankings in 2026.
Just like USA Today’s premature top 25 ranking, On3 has Iowa ranked No. 21 entering 2026.
21. Iowa
The Hawkeyes were better than they deserved all season last year, and the Big Ten schedule looks easier on paper than it did last year. We can always assume the Hawkeyes have a great defense and special teams. The question is how well they perform offensively. The Hawkeyes became even more dangerous last year as coordinator Tim Lester adapted to Mark Gronowski’s dual-threat abilities. Lester was full of praise for Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Heklinski during bowl preparations, and he backed up Gronowski last season. – Andy Staples, On3
Not surprisingly, the Big Ten is a mess in the early rankings. Topping the list is the Ohio State Buckeyes, followed closely by the Indiana Hoosiers who round out the top five. No. 6 is the Oregon Ducks, while No. 11 Michigan is the next Big Ten team in the rankings.
advertise
Among changes in Happy Valley, No. 14 Penn State is under former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, while Washington and USC are ahead of Iowa at Nos. 18 and 19, respectively.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire Follow our Facebook page on X (formerly Twitter) for ongoing coverage of Iowa State news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: On3 tops 2026 Iowa football top 25
