Big Ten Football: Power Rankings – Week One

7. Iowa (5)

Last Week: 31-23 win over Northern Iowa

Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Is it a tradition at Iowa to struggle against early FCS competition?

The history of Iowa playing lackluster ball to start the year is the only reason the Hawkeyes didn’t slide further in these power rankings. After all, the Hawkeyes’ last great team (2009) needed to block a field goal to beat Northern Iowa.

Iowa took advantage of a late Jake Rudock touchdown pass to take an eight-point lead. An interception on the ensuing Northern Iowa drive sealed the deal.

The good news for Kirk Ferentz’s crew is they may have found a major playmaker on offense in wide receiver Tavon Smith, though they need to utilize him more.

The bad news is Iowa may miss their departed players on defense a little more than expected this season. UNI torched the Hawkeyes for 380 yards through the air.

Iowa’s earned enough credit over the years to not immediately drop them to the bottom of the rankings following this kind of performance. However, the Hawks need a better showing this week.

This Week: Ball State (Sept 6 – 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2)

My Prediction: Iowa 31-24