CFB Top 50, #32: 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes

by
Bracket Yard
July 22, 2025

At number 32 in the CFB Top 50 countdown, with just 32 days left until college football, it’s the 2025 Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa is one of those teams that is usually up there in the mix, somewhere. They may not be at the top tier of the sport, but they are good more often than they are not. In fact, Iowa is on a bowl streak of 12 seasons (if you include the 2020 Music City Bowl which got shitcanned), and 12 straight winning seasons. The Hawkeyes should make it 13, if all goes to plan.

Despite being successful, this is not a team that has been known for high-flying offense. In fact, it’s just the opposite. However, the Hawkeyes last season had a middle-of-the-road offensive output, and they have new quarterbacks riding into town. Can Kirk Ferentz breathe some offensive life into this team, complementing a stellar defense, and get Iowa back into contention?

2025 Iowa Hawkeyes Basic Facts

Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz (27th season)

2025 Conference: Big Ten

2024 Record: 8-5 (6-3), 6th in Big Ten

Final Resolution of Last Season: Lost Music City Bowl

2024 Scoring Offensive Rank: 72nd (27.7)

2024 Scoring Defensive Rank: 11th (17.8)

Iowa Key Additions and Subtractions

IN – Mark Gronkowski, quarterback. Transferred from South Dakota State.

IN – Hank Brown, quarterback. Transferred from Auburn.

OUT – Kaleb Johnson, running back. Drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – Yahya Black, defensive tackle. Drafted by Pittsburgh in 5th round of 2025 Draft.

Best Game on the Schedule in 2025

October 18 vs. Penn State. A lot of these “best games” are on October 18, so circle that week (and hope you don’t have to go to any weddings). This is going to be one of the most high-profile matchups taking place not only on their schedule, but in their building. It also starts a stretch of three big home games in a row.

2025 Iowa Hawkeyes: Outlook

Gronkowski, who evidently is not related to the Gronkowski football family that involves Rob, comes into Iowa City as the presumptive leader of the offense. He replaces last year’s primary starting quarterback, Cade McNamara, who threw just six touchdown passes in eight games before transferring to East Tennessee State (FCS). Side note: McNamara is 25 years old and he redshirted as a freshman in 2019, prior to Covid. Gronkowski will turn 24 during the season, but he’s amassed an impressive 49-6 record as the former quarterback of South Dakota State (FCS). However, it’s safe to say that the stakes will be raised for him in the Big Ten.

We know Iowa’s defense is going to be up to the challenge, but is the offense? If Gronkowski injects life into this group, which he is capable of doing, then Iowa may have a season that even exceeds our expectations. There will be many opportunities on their schedule for signature wins.

Speaking of their schedule, they will win at least two of their first three, but Iowa State on September 6 is a legitimate test. After they feast on UMass, it’s all a rigorous Big Ten schedule. Many of their toughest games, like Penn State, Oregon, Iowa, and Michigan State, are at home. How they do in Iowa City will chart the course for their season and any postseason dreams.