For the first time since Jake Retzlaff withdrew from BYU, ESPN's Bill Connelly updated the SP+ rankings ahead of the 2025 season. Connelly also made the final t

The Hawkeyes, carried on the back of their usually stout defense, have kicked the door down and come in at No. 25 in ESPN's final preseason SP+ rankings. As a reminder, ESPN defines SP+ as a ranking of efficiency that combines predictability, tempo, and the opponents on the schedule as defined below:

Early reports are that your team is looking absolutely fantastic in fall camp -- they have lots of physicality, and the competition levels are off the charts! We've passed most of the mile markers in college football's long offseason,