With a decisive victory over Nebraska 40–16 in Lincoln, Iowa concluded its 2025 regular season and immediately regained the attention of the country’s pollsters. The Hawkeyes, who are currently 8-4 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten play, dominated the rivalry game from the first kick and appeared to be a team committed to finishing November on a high note.
Graduate quarterback Mark Gronowski, who is still making history at Iowa, was a major contributor to that surge. With three touchdowns and 230 yards of total offense, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound native of Naperville, Illinois, put on another strong performance. In doing so, Gronowski set a new single-season rushing record for an Iowa quarterback, adding the mark to the single-season rushing touchdown record for a quarterback he had already secured earlier in the year.
Gronowski has had an incredible season, and his physical running style has given Iowa’s traditionally conservative offense a fresh perspective. Against the Huskers, he showcased that dual-threat ability once again, keeping the chains moving and wearing down Nebraska’s defense in a game that felt out of reach by halftime. He and the Hawkeyes will now focus on bowl season, with the announcement of their postseason destination scheduled for December 7.
And if the most recent US LBM Coaches Poll is any guide, Iowa won’t be going unnoticed in December. The Hawkeyes, who received the most votes of any unranked team with 85 points, are positioned just outside the top 25 after their outstanding performance in Lincoln. They’re essentially sitting in the No. 26 position, knocking loudly on the door.
The Big Ten, which is once again among the nation’s deepest leagues, demonstrated its strength in the updated rankings. There are five teams in the top 25 in the conference, including two at the top: No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana, who are both undefeated at 12-0. At No. 4, Oregon leads the newly expanded league’s west coast representation, followed by USC at No. 17 and Michigan at No. 18. Washington, Illinois, and Penn State were among the other Big Ten programs that received votes, giving the league a sizable presence throughout the poll from top to bottom.
Below is the complete rundown of the Week 14 US LBM Coaches Poll heading into conference championship weekend:
Ohio State (12-0)
Indiana (12-0)
Georgia (11-1)
Oregon (11-1)
Ole Miss (11-1)
Texas Tech (11-1)
Texas A&M (11-1)
Oklahoma (10-2)
Notre Dame (10-2)
Alabama (10-2)
BYU (11-1)
Vanderbilt (10-2)
Miami (FL) (10-2)
Texas (9-3)
Utah (10-2)
Virginia (10-2)
USC (9-3)
Michigan (9-3)
James Madison (11-1)
North Texas (11-1)
Tulane (10-2)
Arizona (9-3)
Georgia Tech (9-3)
Tennessee (8-4)
Navy (9-2)
Pittsburgh and SMU were among the teams that withdrew from the poll this week due to their recent defeats. Houston (73), Missouri (52), SMU (28), Washington (18), UNLV (17), Pittsburgh (15), South Florida (12), Illinois (9), Louisville (6), Connecticut (6), TCU (5), Penn State (5), Old Dominion (2), New Mexico (2), Arizona State (2), and San Diego State (1) trail Iowa in the “Others Receiving Votes” section.
Iowa’s ascent back into the rankings is indicative of a consistent late-season surge and a revitalized sense of purpose. As the postseason draws near, the Hawkeyes have emerged as one of the nation’s tougher outs despite being tested by injuries, offensive inconsistency, and the rigors of Big Ten play. A number of program-related storylines also emerged in the final days of the regular season. Prior to their matchup with Nebraska, the Hawkeyes provided important injury updates, remained prominent in national bowl predictions, and even attracted the attention of Iowa football legend George Kittle, who commented on social media amid a flurry of pre-game chatter coming from Nebraska’s camp.
The rivalry between Iowa and Nebraska, one of the more passionate matchups in the Midwest, once again delivered strong emotions and high stakes. This week, head coach Kirk Ferentz discussed the series’ history and the significance of the yearly game for his team. The Hawkeyes’ recent dominance in the series was further reinforced by Saturday’s outcome. As Iowa awaits its bowl announcement, the program sits in a promising position. One of the Hawkeyes’ most exciting seasons in recent memory could be punctuated by a postseason opportunity thanks to a strong finish, an emerging quarterback who is rewriting the record book, and restored voter respect.
