Aug. 3, 2007
IOWA CITY – – The first major college football poll has been released and the University of Iowa joined four other Big Ten schools by receiving votes. The USA Today preseason poll released Friday, Aug. 3 gave the Hawkeyes 12 votes, which left them a few spots out of the top 25. Michigan is rated fifth, followed by Wisconsin (seventh), Ohio State (10th) and Penn State (18th).
The Hawkeyes return 14 starters from last year’s 6-7 team that tied for eighth in the Big Ten and appeared in the Alamo Bowl. Iowa returns six offensive starters and eight defensive starters.
The top four in the 2007 USA Today poll features a Who’s Who of the past four UI bowl opponents. USC is ranked first, LSU is second, Florida is third and Texas is fourth. The Hawkeyes played USC in the 2002 Orange Bowl, Florida in the 2003 and 2005 Outback Bowls, LSU in the 2004 Capitol One Bowl and Texas in the 2006 Alamo Bowl.
Iowa opens its 2007 campaign Sept. 1 when it plays Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in Chicago.
USA Today preseason poll
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