Greg McElroy Makes Surprising Pick For College Football Playoff Contender

The College Football Playoff has had three Big Ten programs qualify for it since its start in 2014. The Ohio State Buckeyes (2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023), Michigan State Spartans (2016), and Michigan Wolverines (2022, 2023, 2024) have all made the playoffs before.

However, on a recent episode of Always College Football , Greg McElroy named a different Big Ten team as a playoff contender. He thinks the Iowa Hawkeyes have what it takes to reach the playoffs with the 12-team format in place.

However, he quickly clarified that he does not think Iowa can win the playoff. McElroy was confident in his claim because Iowa won the Big Ten West twice in the last three years.

"I think they are a legitimate College Football Playoff contender, but I don't view them as a team that can legitimately win the national championship," McElroy said. "Some people will look at their offense and say, 'Things are boring, stagnant, and they're not exciting to watch.' Well, that's fine. They've won two of the last three Big Ten West crowns. They have a super-elite defense, they play into that defense, and they acknowledge what they had."

Iowa has reached the Big Ten Championship in recent years but has not won it. Iowa last won the conference in 2004 before the Big Ten established a championship game in 2011.

Kirk Ferentz knows what it takes to win in the Big Ten but has never gotten over the hump and made the playoffs. Iowa has played spoiler to playoff-hopeful teams in the past.

Iowa upset Ohio State in 2017 in Iowa City. The Buckeyes narrowly missed the playoffs that season as the No. 5-ranked team.

The Hawkeyes upset Michigan on a game-winning field goal in 2016. After losing to Ohio State later that season, Michigan went into bowl season as the sixth-ranked team.

It would be a massive milestone for the Ferentz era if Iowa finally reaches the playoffs. Iowa opens the season with the Illinois State Redbirds on Aug. 31.

Related: Greg McElroy Names Big Ten Championship Contenders For 2024 Season