The Iowa football team dropped considerably in each of the major polls released on Sunday following the Hawkeyes’ first loss of the season, to Northwestern in Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 7.

The Hawkeyes, now ranked No. 10 in the BCS after ascending to No. 4 two weeks ago weeks after a last-second win at Michigan State, remain the top-ranked team in the Big Ten, standing one spot ahead of No. 11 Ohio State.

Iowa slipped to No. 12 in the Harris Interactive Poll after climbing to No. 7 a week ago. The USA Today Coaches’ Poll dropped Kirk Ferentz’s squad from No. 6 to No. 13 this week as well.

The Coaches’ Poll and Harris Poll both contribute to the cumulative BCS rankings, as do a composite computer ranking. Iowa can thank its No. 9 computer ranking for remaining in the BCS top 10.

The Hawkeyes also dropped seven spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll to No. 15 , which ranks Ohio State at the top of the Big Ten at No. 10.

With Iowa and Ohio State each having one loss, the Hawkeyes’ game with the Buckeyes on Saturday is essentially a conference championship and a play-in game for the 2010 Rose Bowl.

— by Jon Linder