Iowa moves into top half Big Ten standings after historic weekend of college football

IOWA CITY — This was not the weekend to miss out on college football.

A major coaching change that instantly changes Iowa’s next game, an AP football poll that’s been entirely rearranged and a Hawkeyes depth chart that looks pretty similar.

Here’s how Iowa football fits into last weekend’s madness.

Where Iowa stands in the Big Ten

If you’re a Hawkeye fan, things don’t look too shabby right now.

Although there might be some lingering feelings of a missed opportunity after No. 3 Indiana knocked off No. 8 Oregon, that game still has some positive impact on the overall schedule. Yes, there’s no moral victories, but it’s not necessarily a bad loss on Iowa’s record.

Looking at the official Big Ten standings, Iowa has shifted into a tie for fourth in the conference. The only programs ahead of the Hawkeyes are No. 1 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten), the Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) and No. 20 USC (5-1, 3-1 Big Ten). Seven other conferences foes also hold a 2-1 Big Ten record.

Five teams are now ranked inside the AP Top 25 poll, with Nebraska earning its first national ranking at No. 25 this week. Illinois, which sat in the top 25 since the beginning of the year, received 113 votes as the de facto No. 26 team.

Notes on Iowa

Iowa had an overwhelming positive game against Wisconsin, recording a shut out win for the first time since December 2022 on Saturday.

Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee officially returned to the depth chart, making his season debut against the Badgers Saturday night. The sophomore receiver is listed behind Chattanooga transfer Sam Phillips who was listed ahead of Vander Zee on the depth chart ahead of Week 1.

The Hawkeyes didn’t have Jaziun Patterson or TJ Washington Jr. on the depth chart at running back. Patterson hasn’t played since Iowa faced Rutgers, and Washington was out against Wisconsin coming off the bye week. Kamari Moulton, Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil are all listed at the position in that order.

Quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski, who made his Iowa debut on Saturday, was listed above Hank Brown on the depth chart, but the two still share an “OR” next to the backup position.

Notes on Penn State

The Nittany Lions ended the James Franklin era of their program Sunday afternoon after a 22-21 loss to Northwestern in Happy Valley. Now, with Penn State sitting at .500 with an 0-3 Big Ten record. Interim head coach Terry Smith has to regroup his team for a trip to Iowa City.

That trip also will not include star quarterback Drew Allar, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury against the Wildcats. Instead, Penn State will have redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer at the helm and making his first collegiate start. He’s made four appearances already this season, including coming in for Allar against Northwestern.

While most of the national focus surrounding Penn State will be on its recruiting losses and the inevitable head coaching search, the Hawkeyes still are facing a team that was No. 2 in the country just three weeks ago. Though, there is a plethora of game film Iowa can sort through and find potential weaknesses.

Game of the Week

The biggest game on paper this week will be No. 20 USC facing No. 13 Notre Dame on the road, however there’s still a litany of games with immediate importance for the Hawkeyes. One of which is the conference’s lone Friday night game, Minnesota hosting No. 25 Nebraska.

The Hawkeyes face Minnesota in their annual rivalry matchup next week, at either 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., with the network also unannounced. Most games in Week 9 across the Big Ten will have set-in-stone game times and carrying channels confirmed on Sunday, per the conference’s weekly broadcast announcement.

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