Where will we be ranked in the final AP Poll?

[ChosenChildren]

We will move past Memphis current #15) and Boise State (#18) since both lost their bowl games, I think.

Although I'm rooting for Michigan (#17) and Minnesota (#16), if they both lose (it could happen), do we move past those two as well? I certainly see us moving past the Gophers, since we beat them head to head.

Utah is currently #12. Let's say they get blown out. Can we catch them?

We are currently #19 in the most recent AP Poll. Is a final Top 14 ranking possible?

 

[4thngoal]

Wisconsin- Oregon game will create probably the most movement.
I'm not sure Wisconsin can beat them.
I am not sure if MN stands a chance.
Now if a fair game is called I think Utah wins fairly easy. But I fully expect that and Michigan vs Alabama game ,to be the next two games with extremely questionable reviews and calling of the game.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Good Q. Just a lot of dominos yet to fall. Maybe 12-13ish is the ceiling? Most likely 14-15ish. Surely we'll get no less then 16th is my long winded guess

 

[ChosenChildren]

The AP poll has been in place since 1936, I believe (83 years).

Here are Iowa's best AP rankings at the end of a season:

2015 - #9
2009 - #7
2004 - #8
2003 - #8
2002 - #8
1991 - #10
1985 - #10
1982 - #14
1960 - #3
1958 - #2
1956 - #3
1953 - #9
1939 - #9

Some observations:

1. The FWAA (Football Writer's Association of America) voted Iowa #1 after the bowl games. In 1958, the final AP poll was taken BEFORE the bowl games (goofy).

2. A final ranking of #15 in the AP poll this year would be the 14th best finish for Iowa in the AP poll in the past 83 years. Top 15 finishes for Iowa don't happen very often.

3. The AP poll is an important poll. Anyone who finished #1 in the AP prior to the playoff era claimed that ranking as a national championship, without exception.

 

[homes]

No. 15, for sure. A lot more has to happen to teams above for there to be a substantial jump beyond that. I don't see much of that happening.

 

[eyekwah]

If you look at the AP preseason poll Iowa is basically right where they were rated. There are 10 ranked teams in the pre-season poll that will not be in the final poll. I suspect they will move up but 15th will be probably the final number. I've tracked the pre-season AP poll for a number of years and reliably an average of 9 ranked teams end up being unranked. Iowa going wire to wire in the poll was the anomaly for those ranked below 15th.