How to Watch the Iowa Hawkeyes vs Wisconsin Badgers

MADISON, WI – OCTOBER 11: Iowa Hawkeyes running back Xavier Williams (26) stiff arms Wisconsin Badgers safety Austin Brown (9) on his way into the endzone for a touchdown durning a college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 11, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Happy Halloween, Hawkeye fans and welcome back to game day.

Nobody needs a reminder of how last Saturday went. I’ve spent the better part of a week trying to completely avoid even thinking about it. A blocked punt, four turnovers and Floyd of Rosedale now lives in Minneapolis with that bald punk after a 13-10 loss that knocked the Hawkeyes clean out of the top 25. The only cure for a week like that is another trophy game and a different outcome.

Fortunately, Iowa has a shot at just that today as #25 Wisconsin visits Kinnick this morning with the Heartland Trophy on the line in the 100th meeting between these programs. It’s Iowa’s homecoming – the first time the Badgers have been the homecoming guest since 1988 – and there’s a little history available beyond the bull. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 49-48-2, so a win today squares it at 49-49-2 heading into the second century.

For the Hawkeyes, we better hope Hank Brown is fully healthy. After benching Jeremy Hecklinski in the middle of the first half a week ago, Iowa is poised to go with Brown again today. He certainly didn’t look great in his return last week, finishing just 11 for 21 with 136 yards and one TD with two interceptions and a fumble.

That wasn’t helped at all by one of the worst rushing performances Iowa has had in a while. The Hawkeyes finished with just 90 yards rushing and three yards per carry. Making matters worse, now Kamari Moulton is out for the year. Fortunately, the Badgers defense is pretty soft.

Oh wait, Wisconsin leads the entire country in yards per play allowed (3.9) and just held USC to 24-7 with negative 17 rushing yards. The win put them back in the rankings for the first time since 2023 and cooled Luke Fickell’s seat considerably. Linebacker Cooper Catalano has led the way with 60 total tackles on the season. Edge rusher Sebastian Cheeks is another one to know. He leads the team with five sacks on the year.

The one silver lining here is the strength on weakness thing cuts both ways. Wisconsin’s offense ranks 102nd nationally. They’re averaging one point per game less than Iowa. Quarterback Colton Joseph doubles as the Badgers’ leading rusher and Iowa’s defense is still allowing just 14.3 points a game against the 5th-best rush defense numbers in the country. The Hawkeyes have also won four straight in this series by a combined 118-26, and Wisconsin hasn’t won at Kinnick since 2018.

FanDuel Sportsbook opened at Iowa —4.5 but has dropped -1.5 with the over/under holding steady at 36.5 total points. Another rock fight.

Can Hank Brown give Iowa the clean game it hasn’t played since the bye? Does the run game have any teeth against a defense with a pulse? And can Phil Parker’s group make a 102nd-ranked offense prove it can score at Kinnick?

As we countdown to kickoff, here’s everything you need to know about today’s matchup.

Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: 11:00 am CT
Matchup: #25 Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1) at Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-2)
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
TV: FOX
Updated Weather Forecast: Mostly cloudy, high around 62 with rain showers possible through the day.
Updated FanDuel Line: Iowa -1.5 O/U 36.5

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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.