Sports · American Football · 2 days ago
Iowa’s win over Washington strengthens its College Football Playoff chances
Iowa beat Washington 41-24 on Friday, improving its record to 5-1 and putting itself back in the College Football Playoff conversation.
The Hawkeyes played without starting quarterback Hank Brown, who was out with a shoulder injury, and backup Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes.
Iowa now has a bye week before facing Minnesota on Oct.
24.
Its remaining schedule includes six opponents, none ranked in the AP Top 25 entering Week 6.
The team has a realistic chance to finish 10-2 or better if it wins most or all of those games.
A 10-2 record would give Iowa an estimated 60% chance of making the playoff, according to a forecast cited in the story.
The win also showed a more productive offense alongside Iowa’s strong defense, which recorded six sacks against Washington.
It remains unclear whether Hecklinski will keep the starting job when Brown is healthy.
Iowa beat Washington 41-24 on Friday night, improving its record to 5-1.
Backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes as Iowa built an early four-touchdown lead.
The Hawkeyes gained 465 total yards and recorded six sacks and nine tackles for loss.
The win strengthened Iowa’s College Football Playoff hopes, with its remaining schedule featuring no teams ranked in the AP Top 25 entering Week 6.
Iowa has six regular-season games left, beginning with a game at Minnesota on Oct. 24.
- Who
- Iowa’s Hawkeyes and Washington’s Huskies.
- What
- Iowa beat Washington 41-24, strengthening its College Football Playoff hopes.
- When
- Friday night; the article was published on Oct. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Washington.
- Why
- Iowa’s victory improved its record to 5-1 and left it with a realistic path to a strong finish and a possible playoff bid.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Iowa built an early four-touchdown lead and beat Washington 41-24.
CBS Sports reported Iowa was 5-1 and entering the second half of its schedule with a possible path to the College Football Playoff.
Iowa is scheduled to play at Minnesota.
- Final score
- Iowa 41, Washington 24
- Iowa record
- 5-1 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten
- Quarterback
- Jeremy Hecklinski completed 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns
- Iowa total offense
- 465 yards
- Defensive performance
- Six sacks and nine tackles for loss against Washington
- Remaining schedule
- Six games, all against teams unranked in the AP Top 25 entering Week 6
Sources
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