Kirk Herbstreit warned college football fans not to forget about an unheralded program that could quietly climb into the College Football Playoff race. Iowa has never made a CFP appearance despite notching at least eight wins in each of the last 10 full seasons. Herbstreit wondered whether that could change in an expanded 12-team format after the Hawkeyes opened the 2026 campaign with a 40-0 rout over Northern Illinois.
The football broadcaster praised the Big Ten program during a Friday appearance on ESPN's The Pat McAfee Show. "I always look at Iowa, with Kirk Ferentz, as a team that is always knocking on that 10-win mark," Herbstreit said. "I think they've averaged nine wins over the last how many years.
I don't think they get credit, to be honest with you, because of the style of ball that they play." Iowa reached nine wins last season behind a potent ground game and physical defense. The Hawkeyes don't air it out like most modern offenses, but Herbstreit thinks Phil Parker's defense deserves more recognition. "They don't necessarily win sexy," Herbstreit said.
"They don't outscore people. They hit you with a rubber hose. It comes down to the quarterback play (and) can they play with the big boys ...
You know they're going to get to that nine, 10-win mark which, to me, gets them in the discussion." An upcoming window could determine whether Iowa has a chance to make the CFP. Iowa will play Michigan at Ann Arbor on Sept. 26 before facing No. 1 Ohio State and No. 19 Washington. The Hawkeyes don't oppose any other currently ranked opponents, so Herbstreit thinks they have a shot if they navigate the toughest cluster of their schedule.
"If they get to 2-1, there's a really good opportunity for them to make a run there," Herbstreit said. "Because who's gonna beat them? Tell me who's gonna beat them after they get through that three-week stretch." Iowa will play Iowa State in a rivalry game this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
