The Iowa Hawkeyes return to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, October 31, looking to bounce back from a painful loss at Minnesota when the No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers come to Iowa City for homecoming, with the Heartland Trophy and a century of history on the line.
Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. CT at Kinnick Stadium, and the game will air on FOX, with streaming available through the FOX Sports App, according to Yahoo Sports. This is the 100th meeting between the two programs, and the first time Wisconsin has served as Iowa's homecoming opponent since 1988.
What happened last week in Minneapolis
Hawkeye fans do not need a reminder, but the numbers tell the story. Iowa fell to Minnesota 13-10 last Saturday, a loss that knocked the Hawkeyes out of the national rankings. A blocked punt and four turnovers, including a fumble, doomed an otherwise winnable game, and Floyd of Rosedale now stays in Minneapolis for another year.
The frustration ran deeper than the scoreboard. Iowa managed just 90 yards rushing at three yards per carry, one of its weakest ground performances in recent memory. Starting quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski was benched in the first half, and backup Hank Brown did not provide a spark, finishing 11 of 21 for 136 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a fumble.
Wisconsin brings the nation's stingiest defense to Kinnick
The Badgers arrive at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play, and they bring the most dangerous defensive unit Iowa has faced this season. Wisconsin leads the entire country in yards per play allowed at 3.9, and last week the Badgers held USC to a 24-7 defeat while surrendering negative 17 rushing yards, according to Yahoo Sports.
Linebacker Cooper Catalano has led the charge with 60 total tackles, and edge rusher Sebastian Cheeks paces the team with five sacks. The USC win pushed Wisconsin back into the rankings for the first time since 2023 and took considerable heat off head coach Luke Fickell, whose seat had been warming in Madison.
Why Iowa still has a real shot
For all of Wisconsin's defensive muscle, its offense ranks 102nd nationally and averages one point per game less than Iowa's already modest attack. Quarterback Colton Joseph doubles as the Badgers' leading rusher, which plays directly into the hands of defensive coordinator Phil Parker's group.
Iowa is allowing just 14.3 points per game and owns the fifth-best rush defense numbers in the country. The Athletic notes that Wisconsin averages 27.0 points per game, 12.7 more than Iowa allows, so something has to give on Saturday morning (The Athletic).
History favors the Hawkeyes too. Iowa has won four straight in this series by a combined score of 118-26, and Wisconsin has not won at Kinnick Stadium since 2018. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 49-48-2, meaning an Iowa victory on Saturday would square the rivalry at 49-49-2 heading into its second century.
Quarterback questions and the Moulton injury
Iowa is expected to turn to Hank Brown again under center, and the biggest question is whether he can deliver the clean performance the Hawkeyes have not had since the bye week. Brown was clearly limited in his return against Minnesota, and the coaching staff has not confirmed whether he is fully healthy.
The backfield took another hit this week. Running back Kamari Moulton is out for the year, leaving Iowa thin at a position where it was already struggling to establish the run. Against a Wisconsin front that just held USC to negative rushing yards, the Hawkeyes' ground game faces its toughest test of the season.
Betting line and weather
FanDuel Sportsbook opened Iowa as a 4.5-point favorite but the line has dropped to Iowa minus 1.5, with the over/under holding at 36.5 total points. Expect another low-scoring, physical battle in the tradition of this rivalry.
The forecast for Iowa City calls for mostly cloudy skies with a high around 62 degrees and possible rain showers through the day, conditions that could further favor the defenses.
Fox Sports confirms the matchup details: No. 25 Wisconsin beat USC 24-7 at home in Week 8, while Iowa lost 13-10 at Minnesota, and fans can watch on FOX or stream on FOX One from Kinnick Stadium (Fox Sports).
Game day information
- Date: Saturday, October 31
- Time: 11:00 a.m. CT
- Matchup: No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1) at Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-2)
- Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: FOX Sports App / FOX One
- Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network and SiriusXM Channel 83, with Gary Dolphin on play-by-play and Pat Angerer providing analysis, according to Sports Illustrated
Three questions that will decide it
Can Hank Brown play a clean game and protect the football after last week's turnover fest? Does Iowa's run game have any bite against a defense that just erased USC's rushing attack? And can Phil Parker's unit force a 102nd-ranked Wisconsin offense to prove it can score in Kinnick Stadium?
The Heartland Trophy, the 100th meeting and a chance to even the all-time series are all at stake. For a Hawkeyes team trying to salvage its season after the Minnesota collapse, there may be no better cure than a trophy game at home.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Iowa play Wisconsin on Saturday?
Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, October 31, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The game airs on FOX.
What is on the line in the Iowa vs Wisconsin game?
The Heartland Trophy goes to the winner, and the game is the 100th meeting between the programs. An Iowa win would even the all-time series at 49-49-2.
Who is favored between Iowa and Wisconsin?
FanDuel Sportsbook lists Iowa as a 1.5-point favorite, down from an opening line of Iowa minus 4.5, with an over/under of 36.5 points.
How can fans stream the Hawkeyes game?
Viewers can stream the game through the FOX Sports App or FOX One, and listen on the Hawkeye Radio Network or SiriusXM Channel 83.