Iowa Football Faces Huge Big Ten Test Against No. 5 Ohio State
Iowa Hawkeyes fans have a marquee matchup on their calendars this weekend as the No. 14 ranked team in the nation hosts No. 5 Ohio State in a pivotal Big Ten showdown. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday in Iowa City, and it represents one of the biggest home games of the season for the black and gold.
Here is the complete weekend sports schedule with a focus on what matters most for Iowa viewers, including the headline football game, MLB playoff action, and the full slate of professional sports.
No. 5 Ohio State at No. 14 Iowa: The Game to Watch
The Hawkeyes will look to defend their home turf against a powerhouse Ohio State squad in what could define their playoff hopes. This is the kind of game that energizes the entire state, and Kinnick Stadium is expected to be rocking for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
Iowa's defense will need to be at its absolute best against a high-powered Buckeyes offense. For Hawkeye fans, this is a chance to prove Iowa belongs among the nation's elite programs.
Full College Football Schedule for Iowa Fans
Beyond the big game in Iowa City, Saturday is loaded with college football action across the country. Here is the complete slate of ranked matchups:
- No. 2 Georgia vs. Vanderbilt, 12:45 p.m.
- No. 3 Notre Dame at North Carolina, noon
- No. 4 Miami at Clemson, 7:30 p.m.
- No. 5 Ohio St. at No. 14 Iowa, 3:30 p.m.
- No. 6 Indiana at Rutgers, 8 p.m.
- No. 7 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi St., noon
- No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri, 3:30 p.m.
- No. 10 BYU at TCU, 7 p.m.
- No. 11 LSU vs. McNeese St., 7:45 p.m.
- No. 12 Texas Tech at Colorado, 7:30 p.m.
- No. 17 Tennessee vs. Auburn, 3:30 p.m.
- No. 18 Southern Cal vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m.
- No. 20 Houston vs. UCF, noon
- No. 21 SMU vs. Boston College, noon
- No. 22 Boise St. vs. Utah St., 7:30 p.m.
- No. 24 Kentucky at South Carolina, 4:15 p.m.
MLB Playoffs Heat Up This Weekend
Baseball fans have plenty to watch as the Division Series get underway. Saturday features Game 1 of both the American League and National League Division Series, while Sunday brings Game 2 action.
Saturday's MLB schedule includes the Chicago White Sox at Cleveland at 1 p.m., the N.Y. Yankees at Tampa Bay at 6:30 p.m., Atlanta at the L.A. Dodgers at 4 p.m., and San Diego at Milwaukee at 8:30 p.m.
Sunday's playoff games feature San Diego at Milwaukee at 4 p.m. and Atlanta at L.A. Dodgers at 8 p.m.
NFL Sunday: Full Slate of Games
The NFL returns Sunday with a packed schedule of games. The action starts early with Indianapolis facing Washington in London at 9:30 a.m. and runs through the night game between Detroit and Carolina at 8:20 p.m.
Other notable matchups include Dallas at Houston, Green Bay at Tampa Bay, Kansas City at Las Vegas, and Miami at Minnesota. All times are Eastern.
NBA and NHL Action
Basketball fans can catch preseason action this weekend. Saturday features Toronto vs. Miami in Quebec City at 7 p.m., while Sunday brings the L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State in Honolulu and Utah at Denver, both at 7 p.m.
The NHL has a full slate of games both days. Saturday features seven games starting at 7 p.m., including Carolina at Philadelphia, Chicago at Buffalo, and Montreal at Pittsburgh. Sunday's NHL schedule includes Winnipeg at Detroit at 1 p.m. and Florida at Anaheim at 8 p.m.
Other Sports Highlights
Auto racing fans can catch the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 in Las Vegas on Sunday, part of The Chase playoff series. Saturday also features NASCAR's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 302 in Las Vegas.
Formula 1 heads to Sepang, Malaysia for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 on Sunday.
Golf tournaments this weekend include the DP World Tour Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, the LPGA Tour LOTTE Championship in Hawaii, the PGA Tour Bank of Utah Championship, and the PGA Tour Champions Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic in Pennsylvania.
Tennis fans can follow the WTA China Open in Beijing.
WNBA and NWSL Playoff Action
The WNBA playoffs continue Sunday with semifinal Game 1 matchups. New York faces Atlanta and Las Vegas takes on Golden State, with times to be announced.
The NWSL also has games both days. Saturday features Utah Royals FC at Louisville at 4 p.m., Bay FC at Kansas City at 6:30 p.m., and Boston Legacy FC at Portland at 8:45 p.m. Sunday's slate includes Angel City at Gotham FC at 1 p.m. and Washington at Houston at 7 p.m.
What This Means for Iowa Sports Fans
For Iowa sports fans, the headline event is clearly the Hawkeyes' showdown with Ohio State. This is a chance for Iowa to make a statement on the national stage and boost its playoff resume.
Beyond that, the weekend offers something for every sports fan, from NFL football to MLB playoffs to NHL and NBA action. Whether you are watching from Kinnick Stadium or your living room, it is a packed weekend of sports.