The Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) continue to get no love in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll following a 40-14 victory over Northwestern (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten) in Week 9.
After a shaky start against the Wildcats, Iowa was able to pull away thanks in part to another dominant three-touchdown performance from junior running back Kaleb Johnson. For Johnson, Saturday’s performance now brings his season total to 16 rushing touchdowns and he is now on pace to finish with 24.
Iowa began the season ranked No. 25 in the preseason Coaches Poll and climbed to No. 21 after their 40-0 season-opening shutout of Illinois State. However, losses to Iowa State, Ohio State, and Michigan State have progressively dropped the Hawkeyes out of even receiving a vote altogether.
Even with a dominant win against Northwestern on Saturday, the performance was still not enough to impress the US LBM Board of Coaches to gift the Hawkeyes with even a single vote.
A sound victory against Iowa’s next opponent should vault the Hawkeyes right back into Coaches Poll consideration, though. Iowa hosts the Wisconsin Badgers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT for a prime time date on NBC and Peacock.
Wisconsin is coming off a 28-13 home loss to No. 3-ranked Penn State that saw a 10-7 Badgers halftime lead fade away through a resounding second half from the Nittany Lions.
The clash between the Hawkeyes and Badgers will also be the 19th battle for the Heartland Trophy in which Wisconsin holds a 10-8 trophy record against Iowa. Saturday’s game will also serve as the 98th all-time meeting between both programs. Wisconsin holds a narrow lead in the all-time series at 49-46-2.
The top five of the latest US LBM Coaches Poll features No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Miami (Fla.).
Here’s a look at the full US LBM Coaches Poll entering Week 10.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Ducks | 8-0 | 1,349 (53) |
| 2 | Georgia Bulldogs | 6-1 | 1,270 (1) |
| 3 | Penn State Nittany Lions | 7-0 | 1,239 |
| 4 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 6-1 | 1,160 |
| 5 | Miami Hurricanes | 7-1 | 1,136 |
| 6 | Texas Longhorns | 7-1 | 1,096 |
| 7 | Tennessee Volunteers | 6-1 | 987 |
| 8 | Clemson Tigers | 6-1 | 942 |
| 9 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish | 7-1 | 853 |
| 10 | Iowa State Cyclones | 7-0 | 846 |
| 11 | Texas A&M Aggies | 7-1 | 806 |
| 12 | BYU Cougars | 8-0 | 786 |
| 13 | Indiana Hoosiers | 8-0 | 741 |
| 14 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 6-2 | 619 |
| 15 | Kansas State Wildcats | 7-1 | 533 |
| 16 | LSU Tigers | 6-2 | 530 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh Panthers | 7-0 | 495 |
| 18 | Ole Miss Rebels | 6-2 | 475 |
| 19 | Boise State Broncos | 6-1 | 459 |
| 20 | SMU Mustangs | 7-1 | 346 |
| 21 | Army Black Knights | 7-0 | 278 |
| 22 | Washington State Cougars | 7-1 | 160 |
| 23 | Missouri Tigers | 6-2 | 114 |
| 24 | Illinois Fighting Illini | 6-2 | 89 |
| 25 | Memphis Tigers | 7-1 | 76 |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 24 Navy; No. 25 Vanderbilt;
Others Receiving Votes
Colorado 75; Tulane 27; Louisiana 14; Vanderbilt 13; Navy 10; UNLV 7; Arizona State 5; Virginia Tech 3; Duke 3; Arkansas 3; Louisville 2; James Madison 2; Michigan 1;
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