In just over three weeks, Iowa will run out of the tunnel to "Back in Black" at Kinnick Stadium to kick off the 2026 college football season. While there are certainly plenty of questions surrounding key positions on the roster, Kirk Ferentz has still put together a solid squad that's ready to compete in the Big Ten. Despite major questions at quarterback, the Hawkeyes have basically been a consensus top-25 team in every preseason poll. That trend continued with CBS Sports' final preseason ranking. Writer Chip Patterson, along with other experts from CBS Sports and 247Sports, put together their final preseason ranking of all 138 FBS college football teams entering the 2026 season. Iowa is ranked No. 21, the same spot they ended last season at.
NEW: The Preseason CBS Sports 138 dropped 🚨 Full 1-138 ranking entering 2026 season 🔗 https://t.co/vBMXXBhSoApic.twitter.com/c93TX8rhht — CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 12, 2026 The Hawkeyes are the eighth-highest-ranked Big Ten team on the list, a testament to the strength of the conference. Their first three conference opponents on the schedule this season are ranked above them on the list. Iowa will have a major opportunity to climb the rankings quickly if they can pick up a few wins to open up Big Ten play. Ferentz's team will have to handle business in nonconference action before they worry about those marquee conference dates. It all begins on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3:15 p.m. CT when Iowa hosts Northern Illinois. The game can be seen on the Big Ten Network. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football slots inside top 25 of CBS Sports' preseason ranking