Hawkeyes ranked 18th in first AP Poll
By Rachel Davis
The Iowa Hawkeyes came in at No. 18 in the first AP Poll of the 2021 college football. Its the third straight year they’ve started the season in the AP Top 25.
The #Hawkeyes are #⃣1⃣8⃣ in the preseason @AP_Top25
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) August 16, 2021
They’re one of five Big Ten teams in the top 25. The Hawkeyes’ week one opponent Indiana is 17th. Wisconsin (12) and Penn State (19), both on Iowa’s schedule; and Ohio State (4) are the other three.
Iowa State sits at seventh, giving Iowa four ranked opponents on their schedule. Two of those games, Indiana and Iowa State, come in the first two weeks of the season.
It’s their highest preseason ranking since 2016 when they started the season 17th. That season they finished 8-5, ultimately losing to Florida in the Outback Bowl.
