- Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz (27th season)
- 2024 Record: 8-5 (lost Music City Bowl)
- Strength of Schedule: 24th
- PFF Projected Win Total: 7.8
- FanDuel Win Total: 7.5
2024 Recap
Iowa has become one of the most predictable programs in college football. Aside from the shortened 2020 season (6-2), the Hawkeyes have won at least eight games every year since 2015, largely thanks to consistently elite defenses. But they’ve fallen short of true College Football Playoff contention due to persistent offensive struggles. Iowa has ranked outside the top 100 in EPA per play on offense in each of the past four seasons, while finishing inside the top 20 in EPA allowed per play in all four.
The hope is that transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski can spark a turnaround. The former South Dakota State star led the Jackrabbits to back-to-back FCS national titles and won the Walter Payton Award in 2023. He’ll have the benefit of an elite offensive line, but Iowa still faces questions across the rest of its offense.
Biggest Strength: Trenches
Iowa has long built its identity around dominance in the trenches, and that remains true as it heads into 2025. The Hawkeyes return PFF’s No. 6 offensive line and would’ve landed in the top 15 of our defensive line rankings had the list been extended past 10.
Biggest Weakness: Where will the offense come from?
© 2026 PFF - all rights reserved.