The Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences to navigate, and the Iowa Hawkeyes are right in the midst of it. In the last six seasons, they have won 10 games three times and have been ranked inside the final College Football Playoff top 25 voting four times.
However, the last two seasons have ended with bowl game losses, and fans are eager for success. How might the 2025 season shape up? One analyst thinks they may be better than expected.
Why the Iowa Hawkeyes Can Break the Top-25 in 2025
In CSN’s latest college football power rankings of all 136 teams, Iowa ranked No. 26. After an 8-5 campaign in 2024, which saw the Hawkeyes disappoint compared to expectations, the whole group took a step back.
However, 2025 is a new dawn, especially on offense.
Iowa’s offense has been lackluster over the last two seasons. In 2024, the Hawleyes ranked 117th in the nation, averaging 328.8 yards per game. The passing attack was difficult to get going with a mix of Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan under center, with Iowa ranked as low as 130th in the country on dropbacks (306).
However, there is renewed hope in Iowa City. Mark Gronowski has been targeted out of the transfer portal after lighting up the FCS with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. His dual-threat ability is expected to be utilized extensively under Kirk Ferentz, who will once again rely on the running game to do the heavy lifting.
If anyone can change the narrative of Iowa QBs it’s South Dakota State Transfer Mark Gronowski 👀
pic.twitter.com/ZYSDFj5vcf— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) May 15, 2025
With 380 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 2024, it is easy to see how effective the former Jackrabbit can be with the ball in his hands.
However, it is what Gronowski can do with his arm that sets him apart. The 6’3”, 230-pound quarterback passed for 2,719 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2024, taking his career numbers to a staggering 10,309 passing yards, 93 touchdowns, and just 20 interceptions in four seasons.
It means that Iowa finally has a proven productive passer under center—something they arguably haven’t had in over a decade.
Alongside Gronowski, the wide receiver room has also been renewed. Jacob Gill was the Hawkeyes’ leading receiver in 2024 with 411 yards, with no receiver credited with more than three touchdowns.
And those numbers have been repeated in recent history. Gill’s season total ended up being the most of any Iowa wide receiver since 2019, when Ihmir Smith-Marsette recorded 722.
However, 2025 sees Reece Vander Zee poised for a breakout season and potentially becoming the go-to X receiver. Gill returns, and Sam Phillips transfers in from Chattanooga to transform what Iowa could be in the passing game.
On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes also need to improve. The unit took a step back in 2024, ranking eighth in the country, allowing just 232 points across the season. But, they allowed an explosive passing play on 12.6% of opponents’ passing attempts compared to 7.4% a year ago, and the defense didn’t live up to expectations.
While there are temper expectations, Phil Parker always has his defense set up for success. And the fact is, with the offense lacking, the defense is what has been winning Iowa games.
KEEP READING: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
But the vibes are different in 2025 despite a challenging schedule that contains a road game against the Iowa State Cyclones and home games against the Penn State Nittany Lions and Oregon Ducks.
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