The Iowa Hawkeyes may not get the same love from media members and national pundits as the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks and Indiana Hoosiers do regularly. But their credibility as a consistent winning program can't be overstated.
It starts at the top with 206-win Big Ten coach Kirk Ferentz, who recently shot down speculation of retirement.
“I do want to go back and set the record straight, because I was asked that question at that press conference, and I said, ‘Yeah, I plan on being back.’ Then all of a sudden it looked like I made a proclamation, I’ll be back,” Ferentz told reporters after Iowa's bowl win. “I never made a proclamation, for the record. I did answer the question. Yeah, I’ll be back for next season. I think my sights were a little further down the road than next season, but powers that be will decide that.”
On3's Andy Staples sees the Hawkeyes as a sleeping giant next season.
“If Iowa gets a little bit better, they’re right… they were right there with Indiana, they were right there with Oregon, they were right there with USC.”
MORE: Former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer gives Ryan Day perfect advice for 2026 season
Given Ferentz's track record, anything is possible.
"They lose the center, he’s the Rimington Award winner,” Staples said. “It’s not as cut-and-dried. But Iowa, look, a lot of this now is faith in the program itself, especially programs that kind of do the same things year over year. We expect their defense to be elite, we expect their special teams to be elite. What they need is dynamic quarterback play and whether they’re going to get that or not is another question.”
The biggest question mark about the Hawkeyes, Staples said, is the quarterback position.
“You have to be a little bit more dynamic than Mark Gronowski,” Staples said. “But if you are, and they are similar to what they were this year, they will be in the mix for this thing. And they’re +15000 right now. You throw $20 on them right now and they win the national title, you get $3,000.”
MORE: Why Fernando Mendoza would be 'so grateful' to be selected by 'any team' in NFL draft
With seven months to go until the season gets underway, the Hawkeyes' momentum is certainly something to monitor.
We'll find out soon.
More Big Ten news
Curt Cignetti says what every college football fan can agree on fresh off Indiana's title
Bret Bielema rips AP voters after Illinois football was shelved over Big Ten team it beat
College football analyst rips those in denial of Curt Cignetti's, Indiana's success
College football pundit shares shocking Ohio State football ranking amid 2026 off-season