Iowa reaches highest ranking in AP Top 25 college football poll since 1985

IOWA CITY — Iowa’s historic season has reached a new high that the Hawkeyes haven’t achieved since 1985.

The Hawkeyes moved to No. 2 in the Associated Press poll following their nail-biting 23-20 win over then-No. 4 Penn State Saturday and then-No. 1 Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M.

It’s their highest ranking in the AP poll since the 1985 season when Iowa was ranked No. 1 for all of October.

The move to No. 2 marks the fifth consecutive week that Iowa has been a top-five team in the AP Poll, matching the team’s five-week stretch in 2002.

The Hawkeyes were one of five Big Ten teams in the top 10. The other four — Ohio State at No. 6, Penn State at No. 7, Michigan at No. 8 and Michigan State at No. 10 — are all in the Big Ten East.

Iowa does not have any more ranked opponents on its regular season schedule.

AP college football Top 25 (Oct. 10, 2021)

1. Georgia (6-0)

2. Iowa (6-0)

3. Cincinnati (5-0)

4. Oklahoma (6-0)

5. Alabama (5-1)

6. Ohio State (5-1)

7. Penn State (5-1)

8. Michigan (6-0)

9. Oregon (4-1)

10. Michigan State (6-0)

11. Kentucky (6-0)

12. Oklahoma State (5-0)

13. Mississippi (4-1)

14. Notre Dame (5-1)

15. Coastal Carolina (6-0)

16. Wake Forest (6-0)

17. Arkansas (4-2)

18. Arizona State (5-1)

19. BYU (5-1)

20. Florida (4-2)

21. Texas A&M (4-2)

22. North Carolina State (4-1)

23. SMU (6-0)

24. San Diego State (5-0)

25. Texas (4-2)

Comments: (319) 398-8394; john.steppe@thegazette.com