The W that changed everything
Real talk: Iowa just pulled off the ultimate bounce-back. After taking a brutal L to Ohio State in Week 5, the No. 20 Hawkeyes traveled two time zones to face Washington on short rest—and they absolutely ate. Even with starting quarterback Hank Brown out due to a shoulder injury, the team didn't miss a beat. Backup Jeremy Hecklinski stepped up and balled out, completing 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
The momentum is real
The Hawkeyes dropped 465 total yards on the Huskies, a massive stat considering they haven't put up those kinds of numbers against a Big Ten opponent since 2018. The defense was also giving main character energy, racking up six sacks and nine tackles for loss. With a 41-24 victory, Iowa is now 5-1 and firmly back in the CFP conversation.
Why it matters
The plot thickens because the rest of Iowa's schedule is looking lowkey favorable. They don't have to face heavy hitters like Indiana or Oregon, and there isn't a single AP Top 25 team remaining on their slate. Depending on how they finish, the CBS Sports College Football Forecaster suggests a 10-2 record gives them a 60% chance at the playoffs. It’s a massive W for a program that has never made the CFP, and if they keep this energy up, they might just go all the way.
