Expectations Tiers for 2026

[TheGuy9]

Easiest answer ever. It would not be a success. In year 28 or whatever we are in of his tenure, if the goal isn’t to make the playoffs then it’s time to move on.

Or it's time to pay attention and realize that this is the University of Iowa. There is absolutely nothing within 100 miles of the University that would be considered a magnet for stud athletes unless they want an easier path into Med School. No sandy white beaches with hot females. No vibrant night life when compared to other top football Universities and now, no wheelbarrows full of NIL cash. But hey our expectations should be the National Championship, not this year but next year and every year thereafter.

Got it. Reality is a *****. Some of us realize it and live accordingly. Others spout nonsense and then rail against the NOTHING and burden everyone else with their comments.

 

[eyesofhawk]

I expect no tears

 

[nu2u]

Or it's time to pay attention and realize that this is the University of Iowa. There is absolutely nothing within 100 miles of the University that would be considered a magnet for stud athletes unless they want an easier path into Med School. No sandy white beaches with hot females. No vibrant night life when compared to other top football Universities and now, no wheelbarrows full of NIL cash. But hey our expectations should be the National Championship, not this year but next year and every year thereafter.

Got it. Reality is a *****. Some of us realize it and live accordingly. Others spout nonsense and then rail against the NOTHING and burden everyone else with their comments.

You mentioned fans, what about the Iowa football players? The tone for expectations are also set by the Iowa team.

The players have stated that a national championship is the ultimate team goal - they said that publicly last year and the years before; they will say it again before this season starts. Do you think they are being disingenuous? Are there NC aspirations nonsense?

 

[Natchrlman2]

I expect no tears

your rite their partner

 

[DuddyB]

I agree the Ferentz-coached Hawks' W-L is historically in the hands of the DLine. I can't quite make the assumption with you that this year's DLine is 10-2 good.

That’s why I said “if”. I think the rest of the pieces are there but it won’t matter if they can’t stop the run.

 

[DuddyB]

Or it's time to pay attention and realize that this is the University of Iowa. There is absolutely nothing within 100 miles of the University that would be considered a magnet for stud athletes unless they want an easier path into Med School. No sandy white beaches with hot females. No vibrant night life when compared to other top football Universities and now, no wheelbarrows full of NIL cash. But hey our expectations should be the National Championship, not this year but next year and every year thereafter.

Got it. Reality is a *****. Some of us realize it and live accordingly. Others spout nonsense and then rail against the NOTHING and burden everyone else with their comments.

Did you know Iowa is ranked 11th in win percentage for P4 conference teams? Did you know that all 10 teams ranked above them have made a playoff? Quit acting like it’s some unachievable mission.

 

[Iron Doc]

Time will tell regarding the playoffs.
Mention has been made about the DLine being a bit questionable.
I would not bet against Phil doing wonders again.

 

[TheGuy9]

You mentioned fans, what about the Iowa football players? The tone for expectations are also set by the Iowa team.

The players have stated that a national championship is the ultimate team goal - they said that publicly last year and the years before; they will say it again before this season starts. Do you think they are being disingenuous? Are there NC aspirations nonsense?

Since this is a fan website and fans are the ones who have responded I was speaking only about fans.
As far as the players: When was the last time a player said their goal wasn't to win the Championship? They say it all the time even when they know it's not a possibility. I'm willing to bet if you go back to the dark days of the 1960's and 70's that the players said their goal was to win it all. I highly doubt anyone of them ever said their goal was to go winless or win less than 3 games which they did.

 

[nu2u]

Since this is a fan website and fans are the ones who have responded I was speaking only about fans.
As far as the players: When was the last time a player said their goal wasn't to win the Championship? They say it all the time even when they know it's not a possibility. I'm willing to bet if you go back to the dark days of the 1960's and 70's that the players said their goal was to win it all. I highly doubt anyone of them ever said their goal was to go winless or win less than 3 games which they did.

I disagree. I don’t believe the Hawk players who will declare a NC as the team goal this season will be doing so, as you stated, knowing there is zero chance that it is possible. IMO Indiana proved long shots can win a championship.

 

[GoB1G]

Thoughts?

With losing Gronowski, Wetjen and all of the d-line production, I see a 7-5/8-4 season. It’ll be a really interesting year if QB play is solid, but we have nothing to go off of at this point.

 

[TheGuy9]

I disagree. I don’t believe the Hawk players who will declare a NC as the team goal this season will be doing so, as you stated, knowing there is zero chance that it is possible. IMO Indiana proved long shots can win a championship.

Ahhh. Indiana was by no means a long shot to win the 2025 Championship. They made the playoffs the year before and were ranked going into the season. Now if a team quarterbacked by Anton Randal El won the championship at Indiana, they would have been a long shot. Alas., they didn't even sniff a championship.

 

[Hawx224]

The goal is always to make the playoffs and win the NC because the goal is to win every game. You’ll never find a coach or player who goes into a game expecting to lose, because if you do that, you’ve lost already. Whether winning every game is realistic at Iowa is another question. We know it’s not, but as fans we get to dream big and hope for the best. If they don’t get there, so what. Better to enjoy each game as it happens, anything more is just the cherry on top of the season

 

[r_desihawk]

It is very hard for an Iowa to make the playoffs.
Last year if we did beat ISU and USC, at 10-2, we miss.
I think Iowa has to go 11-1 to make it last year and this season.
Say we lose to OSU and Mich, and win the rest.....committee will say we only had one good win at wash.

Expanded playoff last year, we had shot at 9-3.
Let's go full 24 team playoff before we set the bar at playoffs as pass/fail test.

not quibbling that it was tough for iowa with 12 spots but last year if had gone 10-2 with those razor thin last minute losses to iu and or i have to think we would have made it. iu and or were top 5 barely escaped

 

[nu2u]

Ahhh. Indiana was by no means a long shot to win the 2025 Championship. They made the playoffs the year before and were ranked going into the season. Now if a team quarterbacked by Anton Randal El won the championship at Indiana, they would have been a long shot. Alas., they didn't even sniff a championship.

My point was to refute the claim that when Iowa players say the team goal is to win a NC they don’t really believe it’s possible.

Indiana was preseason ranked #20 and #19 by the AP and Coaches poll prior to last season’s NC - about where Iowa is being ranked this Summer (#19 ESPN, # 20 CFN, # 23 CBS).

The NC odds were pretty long for Indiana preseason 2025. If you placed that bet the windfall was pretty generous.