Iowa football takes moderate tumble in national polls after first loss
Note to readers: This story has been updated from its original publication to correct Iowa's ranking to No. 18.
The ugliness of Iowa's performance on offense against Michigan did an expected amount of damage to the Hawkeyes in the national polls.
With another national spotlight game on the horizon Saturday against Penn State, Kirk Ferentz's squad will head into the pivotal Kinnick Stadium contest at No. 18 in the USA TODAY Amway Coaches' Poll, a four-spot drop from 14th before Saturday's 10-3 loss to Michigan, then ranked 18th. The Wolverines inched up to No. 16.
The Nittany Lions, meanwhile, are ranked No. 9 at 5-0. Iowa (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten Conference) stumbled three positions in The Associated Press ranking to No. 17.
The top three in the coaches' poll held steady, with Alabama, Clemson and Georgia firmly entrenched in their positions. Ohio State leapfrogged Oklahoma for fourth after their 34-10 thumping of Michigan State. Wisconsin also moved up a spot to No. 8, and 5-0 Minnesota entered the poll at No. 25.
Iowa State inched its way back into the national conversation by receiving a smattering of votes in The Associated Press poll following its 49-24 blasting of TCU to move to 3-2 on the season. The AP's top four essentially matches that of the coaches', although Ohio State and Georgia share third place. Oklahoma dropped to sixth following a lukewarm showing against Kansas.
FULL COACHES' POLL
- Alabama, 1,602 points (42 out of 65 first-place votes)
- Clemson, 1,531 (2)
- Georgia, 1,459
- Ohio State, 1,422 (3)
- Oklahoma, 1,378
- LSU, 1,364
- Florida, 1,218
- Wisconsin, 1,164
- Penn State, 1,051
- Notre Dame, 1,033
- Texas, 971
- Auburn, 929
- Oregon, 866
- Boise State, 732
- Utah, 655
- Michigan, 648
- Wake Forest, 498
- Iowa, 441
- Virginia, 345
- Memphis, 318
- Texas A&M, 306
- SMU, 246
- Baylor, 234
- Arizona State, 228
- Minnesota, 131
Dropped out: No. 16 Washington; No. 19 Central Florida; No. 23 Michigan State; No. 25 Oklahoma State.
Others receiving votes: Cincinnati 74; Washington 72; Appalachian State 49; Michigan State 41; Tulane 36; California 17; Hawaii 13; Arizona 13; Central Florida 11; Washington State 9; Navy 8; Texas Christian 5; Mississippi State 3; San Diego State 2; Temple 1; Army 1.
FULL ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL
- 1. Alabama, 1,503
- 2. Clemson, 1,433
- T3. Georgia, 1,393
- T3. Ohio State, 1,393
- 5. LSU, 1,352
- 6. Oklahoma, 1,268
- 7. Florida, 1,163
- 8. Wisconsin, 1,105
- 9. Notre Dame, 1,046
- 10. Penn State, 958
- 11. Texas, 947
- 12. Auburn, 920
- 13. Oregon, 828
- 14. Boise State, 654
- 15. Utah, 624
- 16. Michigan, 618
- 17. Iowa, 454
- 18. Arizona State, 388
- 19. Wake Forest, 380
- 20. Virginia, 353
- 21. SMU, 285
- 22. Baylor, 260
- 23. Memphis, 189
- 24. Texas A&M, 165
- 25. Cincinnati, 118
Others receiving votes: Minnesota 80, Missouri 64, Appalachian State 61, Washington 54, Tulane 25, California 20, Michigan State 17, Arizona 11, UCF 9, USC 5, Iowa State 5, Pittsburgh 2