Joel Klatt cites Mark Gronowski as reason Iowa makes first College Football Playoff in 2025

Iowa has achieved double-digit wins four times in the last decade under head coach Kirk Ferentz, winning the Big Ten’s West division three times during that span. Still, the Hawkeyes have continue to remain on the outside looking in on the College Football Playoff.

But as the expanded CFP enters its second season within the controversial 12-team format, Iowa is among several Power 4 teams that feel like 2025 could be their year to make the Playoff for the first time ever. Last season, that opportunity was afforded to Arizona State, Boise State, Indiana, Penn State, and SMU.

Still, at least according to FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt, Iowa has as good a chance as anyone to make the 2025 Playoff field, ranking the Hawkeyes as his No. 5 team most likely to make its first CFP appearance. And it has everything to do with the Hawkeyes’ new starting quarterback, former South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski.

“I’m looking at Iowa. Iowa went 8-5 last season, but went 1-3 in games decided by 3 points or less. Again, you can turn those games into wins. … (And) they bring in the best quarterback from the FCS (level), Mark Gronowski from South Dakota State,” Klatt said on this week’s episode of The Joel Klatt Show podcast. “I know there are impact transfers everywhere, but at the quarterback position, I’m looking at John Mateer going to Oklahoma, and Mark Gronowski going from South Dakota State to Iowa. These are going to be huge.”

Gronowski landed in Iowa City after four seasons with the Jackrabbits, where he led South Dakota State to back-to-back FCS National Championships in 2022 and 2023. And while his 2024 season didn’t end as well as the prior two campaigns, Gronowski was the most accomplished transfer quarterback on the market this past offseason. He entered the portal after compiling a 49-6 career record as a starter along with 10,330 yards on 63.5-percent passing and 93 touchdowns through the air, along with 1,767 combined rushing yards and 37 scores on the ground between 2020-24.

Given his prior accomplishments, Klatt is more than confident Gronowski could ultimately be the difference-maker in Iowa’s quest to make its first College Football Playoff in 2025.

“Gronowski is a hell of a player. He’s won two national championships, was the Walter Payton winner two years ago, has been a four-year starter that started 55 games in his career and won 49 off them at South Dakota State,” Klatt continued. “He’s a big guy, brings a run threat. He’s 6-3, 230 pounds. He’s got 37 rushing touchdowns in his career. So, I think this is Iowa’s best quarterback option they’ve had in years. Gronowski will be behind one of the better offensive lines in the country. … So I believe they’ll be in close games, I believe in Mark Gronowski, and I think they’ll win those close games.

“Can they go 10-2? Maybe. I look at this team, and again, Mark Gronowski, I think he’s going to be excellent. I really do,” Klatt concluded. “Can this team go 10-2? The answer is yes. That’s why they’re my No. 5 team most-likely to make their first Playoff.”