Iowa State and Iowa BOTH in College Football Playoff Rankings

It's a great night to be either an Iowa or Iowa State football fan, with both squads ranked in the first Top 25 College Football Playoff Rankings of the season.

The Iowa Hawkeyes, coming off a disappointing loss on the road at Penn State on Saturday, are number 16 in the rankings. They're two spots behind Penn State who minus a few mistakes on Saturday, they could've definitely beaten in Happy Valley. I believe you could say the same thing about Iowa's September 22 game against Wisconsin. That night, I really don't think the better team won... not sure I can say that about this past Saturday, though.

The 6-2 Hawkeyes face what could be another difficult road test this Saturday against Purdue, followed by always-tough Northwestern in Evanston, what should be an easy win over Illinois (sorry, Illini), and then a visit to Lincoln, Nebraska. Yes, the Cornhuskers are 2-6 but don't be surprised if they hang another loss on Ohio State this weekend.

The red-hot Iowa State Cyclones appear in the rankings at number 24. Winners of three-in-a-row, Iowa State is averaging just under 40 points per game in those victories over Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Texas Tech. Kansas, who somehow, someway, beat TCU last week won't be able to find the magic two weeks-in-a-row. The magic of Jack Trice Field should get the Cyclones to bowl-eligible on November 10, when they take on an up-and-down Baylor team. A road test at #17 Texas is the following week, before Kansas State and Incarnate Word come to Ames. I still can't believe that last one is real but, hey, Iowa State had to find someone for their schedule after the week one storm-out.

Yes, there's a lot of football still to be played but it's shaping up to be a very fun November for fans of both Iowa and Iowa State.