Iowa Hawkeyes 2026 Football Schedule: Tough Early Stretch, Favorable Finish
IOWA CITY — The 2026 Iowa Hawkeyes football schedule is out, and it presents a classic test of endurance and timing for head coach Kirk Ferentz's squad. While the overall slate looks manageable, a brutal three-game stretch in late September and early October could define the season.
The Hawkeyes open with three winnable non-conference games before diving into a gauntlet of Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington. If Iowa can survive that stretch with a win or two, the back half of the schedule offers a clear path to a strong finish.
Iowa's 2026 Full Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the Hawkeyes this fall (all times Central):
- Saturday, September 5: Northern Illinois (3:15 p.m., Big Ten Network)
- Saturday, September 12: Iowa State (6:30 p.m., NBC)
- Saturday, September 19: Northern Iowa (3:00 p.m., FS1)
- Saturday, September 26: at Michigan
- Saturday, October 3: Ohio State
- Friday, October 9: at Washington (8 p.m.)
- Saturday, October 17: Bye
- Saturday, October 24: at Minnesota
- Saturday, October 31: Wisconsin
- Saturday, November 7: at Northwestern
- Saturday, November 14: Purdue
- Saturday, November 21: at Illinois
- Friday, November 27: Nebraska (11:00 a.m., CBS)
The Hardest Part: Three Straight Powerhouse Opponents
The biggest challenge for Iowa is the back-to-back-to-back slate of Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington. That is as tough a three-game stretch as any team in the country will face.
Opening Big Ten play on the road at Michigan is never easy. The Wolverines have been a national power under Jim Harbaugh, and the Big House is one of the toughest places to play in college football.
Then Ohio State comes to Kinnick Stadium. While playing at home helps, the Buckeyes are perennial College Football Playoff contenders. Iowa fans will remember the 2023 game when the Hawkeyes nearly pulled off an upset but fell short.
To make matters worse, the Big Ten scheduled a short week for Iowa. After hosting Ohio State on Saturday, the Hawkeyes travel to Washington for a Friday night game. That means less time to prepare and recover.
“Drawing your three toughest games back-to-back-to-back is as big of a con as you can get in a 12-game season,” noted analyst Riley Donald.
The Favorable Path: Winnable Games on Both Sides
But the schedule also has clear advantages. Iowa should start the season 3-0 against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa. None of those teams are pushovers, but the Hawkeyes are clearly the more talented team in each matchup.
After the brutal three-game stretch, Iowa gets a much-needed bye week. Then comes a second half that looks very manageable. The Hawkeyes face Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska. All six of those games are winnable.
“After Washington, Iowa enters a much-needed bye before a second half of the year that could see them favored in all six games,” Donald said.
What This Means for Iowa's Season
If Iowa can steal one win from the Michigan-Ohio State-Washington trio, and then take care of business in the second half, the Hawkeyes could finish 10-2 or even 11-1. That would put them in strong position for a Big Ten title game appearance and a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Timing matters in college football. The College Football Playoff selection committee likes teams that finish strong. If Iowa loses early but wins its last six games, the Hawkeyes will be playing their best football at the right time.
“The biggest pro for Iowa's schedule may be playing the hard games early with a late-season stretch against manageable opponents,” Donald added. “As we know, the committee likes teams who are hot at the right time.”
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Iowa Schedule
When does Iowa play its biggest games in 2026?
Iowa's toughest stretch is from September 26 to October 9, when they face Michigan (away), Ohio State (home), and Washington (away) in three consecutive weeks.
Does Iowa have a bye week before the late-season run?
Yes. After the Washington game on October 9, Iowa has a bye on October 17 before facing Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska.
How many home games does Iowa have in 2026?
Iowa has seven home games: Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Nebraska.
Photo: Sports Illustrated