Iowa (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) welcomes a suddenly ranked Wisconsin team to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, and the Badgers arrive with plenty of confidence but a painful history against the Hawkeyes. Iowa has won four straight in the series by a combined 118-26 margin, according to AP NEWS.
Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) cracked the AP Top 25 on Sunday for the first time since September 2023, landing at No. 25 after a 24-7 win over then-No. 16 Southern California. The victory was arguably the best of coach Luke Fickell's four-year tenure in Madison, and it sets up a loaded Heartland Trophy matchup with an Iowa program that has owned the Badgers lately.
Wisconsin coach calls Kinnick Stadium one of the toughest venues in the country
Fickell made it clear Monday that his team is not treating this like just another conference road game. Wisconsin has been outscored by 92 points across the last four meetings with Iowa, including a 37-0 shutout loss at Camp Randall Stadium last season that was Iowa's highest point total in Madison and its first shutout win there since 1929.
“There's a lot of things that haven't gone well for us in this rivalry game,” Fickell said, according to WSAW. “We need to do a whole lot to change it. It's not going to be easy. I don't know if there's a tougher place to play in the country.”
The memory of a 42-10 loss at Iowa two years ago still stings in Madison. Wisconsin surrendered 329 yards rushing that day, and the Badgers responded by doing 42 pushups at the end of every practice the following spring to remind themselves of the embarrassment.
A rebuilt roster with no scars from past Iowa losses
Wisconsin took a different approach this season after adding 34 transfers who did not play against Iowa in those last two lopsided meetings. Rather than dwelling on rivalries, the Badgers focused on building their own culture and developing chemistry in the locker room.
“Rivalries are what makes college football,” Fickell said. “We've got to make sure we understand this is a rivalry — this is the Heartland Trophy.”
The turnaround followed back-to-back losing seasons, a 5-7 finish in 2024 and a 4-8 campaign last year, which snapped a Power Four-leading streak of 22 straight winning seasons. Instead of making a coaching change, then-athletic director Chris McIntosh brought Fickell back and promised greater financial investment in the program. That money helped Wisconsin land 27 transfers from other Bowl Subdivision programs.
Badgers winning with defense and special teams
Wisconsin's offense remains a work in progress. Quarterback Colton Joseph threw for just 58 yards in the USC win. The Badgers have compensated with a defense allowing 4.14 yards per play, tied with Indiana for the second-lowest average of any FBS team behind Michigan's 4.10. Wisconsin also leads the FBS with five blocked punts or kicks.
The USC game showcased just how far the defense has come. The Trojans finished with minus-17 yards rushing, the second-fewest total Wisconsin has ever allowed, and USC's seven points were the second-lowest output of any Lincoln Riley team in his 10-year head coaching career, as WTOP News reported.
“This is what Wisconsin deserves,” said outside linebacker Sebastian Cheeks, who recorded 2 1/2 sacks against USC. “Hopefully we get to the point where when we beat ranked teams, this is the standard again. This is what we do as a team.”
What the Heartland Trophy game means for Iowa
For the Hawkeyes, Saturday is a chance to keep a good season on track and extend one of the most lopsided streaks in the Big Ten. Iowa sits at 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play, and a fifth straight win over Wisconsin would strengthen the Hawkeyes' bowl resume and reinforce their standing in a crowded West Coast-heavy league.
Wisconsin, meanwhile, is one win from bowl eligibility and views this game as a measuring stick. The Badgers' schedule after Iowa is favorable, with Rutgers, Maryland and Purdue a combined 7-14 before a season-ending home game against Minnesota, which has beaten Wisconsin four of the last five years.
“I'm happy for this community, happy for these fans, but we've just got to keep stacking it,” Cheeks said. “We've got a big game coming up.”
FAQ
When does Iowa play Wisconsin?
The Hawkeyes host Wisconsin on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, with the Heartland Trophy awarded to the winner.
How many games has Iowa won in a row against Wisconsin?
Iowa has beaten Wisconsin four straight times by a combined 118-26 margin, including a 37-0 shutout in Madison last season.
Is Wisconsin ranked heading into the Iowa game?
Yes. Wisconsin entered the AP Top 25 at No. 25, its first ranking since September 2023, after beating then-No. 16 Southern California 24-7.