Iowa football fans get a rare treat on Saturday, October 31: a morning kickoff for the 100th edition of the Iowa-Wisconsin rivalry at Kinnick Stadium, followed by a full afternoon and evening of games with direct implications for the Hawkeyes.
The Hawkeyes host No. 25 Wisconsin at 11 a.m. on FOX, the featured slot of the week. Both teams enter the game at 5-2, though Iowa has dropped two of its last three, including a loss at Minnesota as a 7.5-point favorite, according to Sports Illustrated. The early start means fans can settle in for the rivalry game and still catch most of the rest of the Week 9 slate.
The 100th Iowa-Wisconsin Game Headlines the Day
Rivalry trophies do not get much more Midwestern than this one. The Hawkeyes and Badgers have been trading blows since 1894, and Saturday marks the century milestone for a series Kirk Ferentz has called one of the defining rivalries of his tenure. FOX put the game in its Big Noon Kickoff window, which the network typically reserves for its top matchup of the week, Badger of Honor reported.
For Iowa, the stakes are straightforward. A win over a ranked division rival steadies the season after the stumble in Minneapolis and keeps the Hawkeyes in the conference race. A second straight loss would turn November into a grind.
What to Watch After the Hawkeyes
No. 22 Arizona at No. 13 Texas Tech, 11 a.m., ESPN
If you have a second screen, this is the one. Both teams sit at 6-1 and 3-1 in the Big 12, and an Arizona road win would make the Wildcats a serious conference title contender. Texas Tech coach Cody Campbell is trying to avoid a second consecutive loss in Lubbock.
No. 17 Florida vs. No. 3 Georgia, 2:30 p.m., ABC
The World's Greatest Outdoor Cocktail Party finally matters again. The game has moved to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the next two seasons while EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville undergoes renovations. Florida is respectable at 5-2, but Georgia at 6-1 remains the class of the series.
Minnesota at No. 4 Indiana, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Hawkeyes fans will watch this one with clenched teeth. The Gophers, fresh off beating Iowa and holding Floyd of Rosedale, travel to Bloomington for a game with College GameDay on site. Indiana is 7-1 and needs its offense to wake up; Minnesota is 5-2 under P.J. Fleck. The result matters directly for Iowa's conference standing.
No. 20 Northwestern at Oregon, 2:30 p.m., Peacock
This one doubles as a scouting assignment. Iowa travels to Evanston to face Northwestern next weekend, and the Wildcats arrive at 6-1 and 3-1. How they handle the long trip to Autzen Stadium, and how motivated a 4-3 Oregon team is, will tell Hawkeyes fans plenty about the matchup ahead.
Iowa State Hosts No. 24 Oklahoma State, 6 p.m., FS1
The state's other Big 12 program gets a prime home slot at Jack Trice Stadium. Oklahoma State announced it will wear all-orange uniforms against Iowa State's all-blacks, which may be the most interesting thing about a game between a 5-2 Cowboys team and a Cyclones squad sitting at 3-4 and 1-3 in conference play. Iowa State has struggled to find answers on either side of the ball, and a ranked visitor makes Saturday a tall order in Ames.
No. 2 Ohio State at USC, 6:30 p.m., NBC
The Buckeyes roll into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 6-1 and 4-0 in conference play, but with a backup quarterback under center for the foreseeable future. USC coach Lincoln Riley, whose Trojans are 6-2, may need this win to secure his future. It is hard to imagine a better opening for the Trojans to land a statement victory.
Why the Morning Kickoff Works for Fans
The 11 a.m. start is unusual for a rivalry of this weight, but it is a gift for viewing schedules. Once Iowa and Wisconsin wrap up in the early afternoon, the rest of the day is open: Florida-Georgia and Minnesota-Indiana in the 2:30 window, then two night games with Big Ten and Big 12 stakes.
For fans keeping tabs on the entire state, Iowa high school football also wraps its regular season this week, with playoffs underway for the smaller classes, the Des Moines Register reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Iowa play Wisconsin on Saturday?
Kickoff is 11 a.m. CDT on Saturday, October 31, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, with the game televised on FOX.
Why is the Iowa-Wisconsin game significant this year?
It is the 100th edition of the rivalry, both teams enter at 5-2, and Wisconsin is ranked No. 25. The winner stays firmly in the conference race while the loser faces an uphill November.
What should Iowa fans watch after the Hawkeyes game?
Minnesota at No. 4 Indiana matters most for Iowa's standing, while Northwestern at Oregon offers a preview of Iowa's opponent next weekend. Iowa State hosts No. 24 Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. on FS1.
Where can fans follow Iowa football coverage?
Fans can follow Hawkeye news, scores and stats through the official Iowa Hawkeyes athletics site and ESPN's Iowa Hawkeyes page.