Greg McElroy questions Iowa’s preseason AP top 25 ranking

It appears Greg McElroy has soured on the Iowa Hawkeyes .

After raving about what quarterback Cade McNamara might add to Iowa heading into the 2023 season, McElroy is now questioning the validity of Iowa’s spot in the preseason Associated Press top 25 poll .

Iowa just found its way into the preseason AP top 25, checking in as the nation’s No. 25 squad. McElroy said on his “Always College Football” podcast that he thinks that might be too high for the Hawkeyes.

“One team that I felt like is ranked a lot higher than they probably should be is Iowa, and it’s not because I don’t think Iowa is going to finish the season ranked. It’s not because I don’t think Iowa is going to be a good football team, they’re always good football team. But the reason why people have them in the Top 25 because of their schedule,” McElroy said

Iowa does have what appears to be a favorable schedule in 2024. Though the Hawkeyes have to travel to Ohio State on Oct. 5, Iowa doesn’t draw Michigan , Penn State or USC on its 2024 slate.

“Iowa might have a really nice record, but will it reflect quality? We could be fast forwarding to the end of the year and Iowa could be 10-2. Doesn’t mean they’re going to be great though, because what will their best win be? That would be my challenge and based on what I’m hearing, we’ll go into camp buzz here in a little bit, doesn’t sound like the offense is making the progress that we had hoped for Iowa this offseason.

“So we’re kind of banking on a team that is going to win the Big Ten West when the Big Ten West doesn’t matter anymore, the Big Ten West doesn’t exist anymore. And yes, their schedule is manageable, but are they one of the 25 best teams in America? We’ll find out. I wouldn’t have them in, the AP does,” McElroy said.

Even if it doesn’t impress McElroy or some other national analysts, most Hawkeye fans would take a 10-2 finish and run if given the opportunity today.

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