Iowa jumps to No. 16 in College Football Playoff rankings

IOWA CITY — Iowa is on the rise in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The Hawkeyes (8-2, 7-2) jumped from No. 22 to No. 16 in this week’s CFP rankings following their 22-0 win over Rutgers.

It is Iowa’s highest ranking in the CFP since the end of the 2021 season.

Iowa had the biggest week-to-week increase in Tuesday’s rankings. Missouri, which is coming off a 36-7 win over No. 13 Tennessee, moved five spots from No. 14 to No. 9.

If the season ended Tuesday, Iowa would still not be in a New Year’s Six bowl based on this week’s rankings. The rapid rise in the rankings does put Iowa much closer to contending for a New Year’s Six spot, though.

The Hawkeyes will face Illinois this Saturday before closing the regular season at Nebraska on Nov. 24. Both teams are unranked. A win in either game would be enough to clinch a Big Ten championship game berth.

Iowa already has clinched a share of the Big Ten West title after the win over Rutgers.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com