Joel Klatt calls Iowa football 'underrated' in top 25, makes bold schedule prediction
College football is nearing. The air is crisp in the mornings, the pads are popping, and fans are eagerly awaiting kickoff. As that approaches, preseason rankings come rolling out in bunches.
In the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Iowa Hawkeyes were on the outside looking in, although they did receive some votes. If they can rattle off a few early-season wins, their spot in that poll will be quickly earned.
Another poll, this one from Fox college football analyst Joel Klatt, gives the Hawkeyes some more respect. He has the Hawkeyes inside his top 25 entering the season, placing them at No. 22 in the country. Klatt elaborated on the Hawkeyes during his show.
"So, what do I trust about 22? Defense. Iowa. Give me Iowa at 22. You're trying to find these teams at the back-end of the top 25. These are the eight-nine-win teams during the course of the year. Do we think that Iowa can do that? Yeah. Do we think that they can do more? Yeah, probably, this might even be a bit underrated of the Iowa Hawkeyes," Klatt said.
"Here's what I'm most excited about for Iowa. It's not just that it's Kirk Ferentz or Phil Parker, the defensive coordinator, and that defense and the consistency of what they bring in. It's this new quarterback they've got, Mark Gronowski," said Klatt.
"Mark Gronowski is a guy that I think could turn them around. This guy might be a little different. Mark Gronowski transfers in from South Dakota State, which has been one of the premier FCS programs around. He won the FCS Heisman back in 2023. He's won two, not one, but two national championships at that level, and he's started 55 games. This is the type of guy who can pop. Experience over talent," Klatt said about Mark Gronowski.
Klatt, very high on Iowa, believes that the Cy-Hawk game against Iowa State in Week 2, which he will be announcing, could be a measuring stick for both teams, who are among his top 25.
His belief in Iowa did not end at the quarterback position. Joel Klatt went on to predict a bold upset win for Iowa against one of the two premier Big Ten opponents that will enter Kinnick Stadium this fall.
"Their two toughest games are against Oregon and Penn State. Both of those games are at home in Kinnick. What do we know about Kinnick? This is where top 10 teams go to die. Someone is going to lose in Kinnick. I think Oregon or Penn State is going to get beat by Iowa," Klatt ended with.
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