On a windy, raw day at Kinnick Stadium, the Iowa Hawkeyes ran their way over Maryland. Iowa got the shutout 23-0 in a game that never really felt like it was a game. The victory moved the Hawkeyes up in the national rankings. But next week will show if this Iowa team is really a contender.

Iowa, 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, moved up to number 18 in the latest Associated Press poll. The Hawkeyes are also ranked 18th in the latest coaches poll as well. The Big Ten is well represented among the ranked with Michigan at #5, Ohio State at #11, Penn State at #17, and Wisconsin at #20.

Ohio State had been ranked #2 in the nation before losing at Purdue on Saturday night. The top four teams in this week's poll are Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and LSU. Iowa will play at #17 Penn State this Saturday. A win is crucial for Iowa as it looks to keep pace with Wisconsin in the Big Ten West. The Badgers beat Iowa earlier this year and hold any tiebreaker in the division race.

Iowa versus Penn State kicks off at 2:35 p.m. Saturday afternoon and can be seen on ESPN.

 

[via KCRG, ESPN]

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