Where Iowa football, Big Ten stand heading into Week 6

IOWA CITY — Week 6 is here, which means nearly every school has played its first two conference games of the season.

That means a lot has been revealed on the field.

Iowa football (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) nearly pulled off an upset against Indiana (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) on its home turf, but came up short in the fourth quarter. Now, with a week’s rest on the docket, the Hawkeyes can sit back and watch how the rest of the Big Ten fares through another week of conference games.

That is, until it’s time to get back on the saddle and prepare for a trip to see some Badgers next week.

Notes on Iowa football

The Hawkeyes are on their first bye week of the season, which usually means two things: rest and regroup.

Iowa has a few injuries needing rehabbed, particularly for offense. Quarterback Mark Gronowski left the game against Indiana early with an apparent leg injury, and there was little information about what happened following the loss. The Hawkeyes have heavily relied on their QB1, both through the air and on the ground, so the extra week can give Iowa time to check in on Gronowski and make sure he’s healthy.

Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee hasn’t played all season, but head coach Kirk Ferentz said the sophomore should be back for Iowa’s game at Wisconsin on Oct. 11.

The Hawkeyes also are missing running backs Xavier Williams and Jazuin Patterson. Williams has been out with an upper body injury for the last two games, and Patterson left Iowa’s game against Rutgers wtih an ankle injury.

Ferentz didn’t have specific timetables for either running back during the most recent game weeks, but the two accounted for a majority of Iowa’s carries while Kamari Moulton nursed his season-opening injury. Iowa hasn’t played a game with all four of its running backs healthy this season.

The Hawkeyes also learned their game against Wisconsin will be their fourth night game of the season, kicking off on FS1 at 6 p.m. Central Time.

How Iowa’s loss impacts the Big Ten

Iowa falling to now-No. 8 Indiana leaves the Hawkeyes right in the middle of the Big Ten halfway through the season. While Iowa had a chance to pull off the upset, the first conference loss of the season leaves the program as one of four programs to start Big Ten play at .500.

In this case, specifically in ninth place, once the nonconference records are factored in.

The loss also catapults Indiana to a tie with Oregon for first in the conference. Those two play each other Oct. 11, since both are also on a bye week.

Big Ten football rankings

The Big Ten has four programs ranked inside the top eight in this week’s Associated Press Top 25, and six named in the poll. Maryland (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) also is receiving votes.

After No. 2 Oregon’s double overtime win at No. 7 Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten), the Ducks made the biggest jump in the national standings, now just behind reigning national champions, No. 1 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten).

No. 8 Indiana’s win put the Hoosiers into the top 10 for the first time this season, and No. 20 Michigan (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) and No. 22 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) both moved up one spot over its respective wins.

The SEC is the only conference with more teams ranked in this week’s poll, bringing in 10 programs. The Big Ten, however, has more programs ranked higher up on the polls.

Iowa faces Penn State and Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) over the next few weeks. At this point in the season, those two are the only ranked programs the Hawkeyes will battle the rest of the season.

Big Ten games of note

With Wisconsin as Iowa’s next matchup, the Badgers will face the Wolverines — a game not expected to have any major national merit, but will be important to follow before the Hawkeyes head to Madison.

There aren’t many standout matchups across the conference this week. Most ranked porgrams are either on a bye week or matching up with a West Coast opponent. The Ducks have the week off following their historic win Saturday, while Washington (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) makes the trip to Maryland.

Penn State visit UCLA (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten) to bounce back from its loss, and Northwestern (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) hosts nonconference opponent Louisiana-Monroe.

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