
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz speaks after a 27-24 win against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium. Chad Leistikow, Hawk Central
Iowa's regular season is complete, but there's one more important week of discussion to be had.
And based on the latest USA TODAY Amway Coaches' Poll ranking, it'll be quite the interesting bowl debate between the Hawkeyes and Michigan.
Both teams are 9-3 after Iowa's dramatic 27-24 win over Nebraska and Michigan's 56-27 loss to Ohio State. Michigan has a head-to-head 10-3 victory. They're just one spot apart in Sunday's poll, with the Wolverines at No. 18 and the Hawkeyes at No. 19.
Same goes in The Associated Press' rankings, with Michigan at No. 17 and Iowa 18th.
Ohio State and Penn State look locked into spots in the College Football Playoff or the New Year's Six. Wisconsin (10th in both polls), Minnesota (15th in both), Michigan and Iowa will form the upper tier of bowl games in some fashion.
Wisconsin is sure to get the best remaining spot, but whether that is another New Year's Six bowl or the Citrus Bowl is the question. From there, both schools could be jockeying for a Holiday Bowl game that neither has played in for more than a quarter-century.
The top four in the coaches' rankings remain unchanged, with Utah sliding into the fifth position after Alabama's season-wrecking loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Iowa State (7-5) continues to get a smattering of votes in both polls after its 27-17 loss to Kansas State.
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FULL COACHES' POLL
- LSU (12-0), 1,577 points [43 first-place votes]
- Ohio State (12-0), 1,548 [17]
- Clemson (12-0), 1,482 [4]
- Georgia (11-1), 1,394
- Utah (11-1), 1,326
- Oklahoma (11-1), 1,294
- Florida (10-2), 1,135
- Baylor (11-1), 1,117
- Alabama (10-2), 1,068
- Wisconsin (10-2), 952
- Penn State (10-2), 946
- Auburn (9-3), 897
- Oregon (10-2), 878
- Notre Dame (10-2), 776
- Minnesota (10-2), 688
- Memphis (11-1), 630
- Boise State (11-1), 558
- Michigan (9-3), 542
- Iowa (9-3), 502
- Appalachian State (11-1), 331
- Cincinnati (10-2), 283
- Virginia (9-3). 192
- Navy (9-2), 188
- USC (8-4). 171
- Air Force (10-2), 129
Dropped out: No. 21 Oklahoma State; No. 23 Virginia Tech.
Others receiving votes: Southern Methodist 65; Oklahoma State 40; Kansas State 24; UL Lafayette 21; Indiana 14; Hawaii 7; Central Florida 7; Arizona State 6; Tennessee 3; San Diego State 3; Iowa State 3; Virginia Tech 2; Temple 1.
FULL ASSOCIATED PRESS POLL
- LSU (12-0), 1,528
- Ohio State (12-0), 1,498
- Clemson (12-0), 1,437
- Georgia (11-1), 1,356
- Utah (11-1), 1,275
- Oklahoma (11-1), 1,257
- Florida (10-2), 1,135
- Baylor (11-1), 1,074
- Alabama (10-2), 995
- Wisconsin (10-2), 971
- Auburn (9-3), 957
- Penn State (10-2), 890
- Oregon (10-2), 799
- Notre Dame (10-2), 734
- Minnesota (10-2), 683
- Memphis (11-1), 615
- Michigan (9-3), 603
- Iowa (9-3), 537
- Boise State (11-1), 463
- Appalachian State (11-1), 288
- Cincinnati (10-2), 237
- Virginia (9-3), 231
- Navy (9-2), 216
- USC (8-4), 157
- Air Force (10-2), 65
Others receiving votes: SMU 50, Oklahoma State 36, Kansas State 36, UCF 6, Virginia Tech 6, Iowa State 5, Arizona State 4, California 3, Washington 2
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