Iowa: 2026 Week 3 recap

Iowa sits at 22nd in GIE's ratings after a dominant 40–0 shutout of Northern Illinois in Week 1, though the model hasn't budged the rating since—holding at 14.6 points. The Hawkeyes face Iowa State this weekend in a rivalry game that carries real implications: GIE projects them for around 8.4 wins on the season, with a 40% playoff probability still within reach. Red-zone efficiency (19% TD rate) and third-down conversion (40%) suggest room to tighten execution in the coming weeks. A win over Iowa State would reinforce Iowa's standing in the Big Ten race and nudge those ceiling projections upward.