Pete Fiutak Wed, October 28, 2026 at 6:28 AM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa is 5-2, with a relatively manageable final four games after this. Wisconsin is 5-2, with a very favorable November after dealing with the Hawkeyes. The winner will be deep in the College Football Playoff hunt, the loser will be out – not officially, but practically – and will be bucking for a decent bowl game. But first, someone will have to score. Just when you thought this was the new, wacky Iowa that liked to do that whole scoring points thing that the kids are all into, it's had issues in Big Ten play, losing two of the last three, including a Floyd of Rosedale-losing 13-10 game at Minnesota. Wisconsin quit pretending its offense could do much, and who needs to, with a defense that has grown into a dominant force over the last several games.
Wisconsin is starting a run of three road games in the next four, hosting Rutgers next week before going to Maryland and Purdue.
Iowa goes on the road in two of the last three weeks, with trips to Northwestern and Illinois wrapped around Purdue.
It's the 100th meeting between the two programs. Wisconsin is up 49-48-2, but Iowa has won the last four, including the last two in 2024 and 2025 by a combined score of 79-10.
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026 Game Time: 12:00 PM ET TV: FOX Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA – Week 9 Schedule, Game Previews – CFN Top 25 | Bowl Projections – Predicting the First CFP Top 25 – CFN Week 9 Expert Picks
USC is incredibly overrated this season and doesn't have nearly the pop or production to go along with the brand name, but still, the Running Back U of college football programs – the school of Bush, and Charles White, and LenDale White, and Garrett, and OJ, and Allen, and Davis, was stuffed for -18 yards on 25 carries last week in Madison. The Wisconsin defense was all over the USC ground game a week after holding UCLA to a Bruin season-low 120 yards in a 17-7 Badger loss. The defense had one really rough second half against Notre Dame in the season opener, and that's it. The Badgers held Penn State's offense to 13 points – the Nittany Lions got a pick six – meaning they've allowed 13 points or fewer in five of the last six games, to go along with the 17 against UCLA.
Wisconsin has become, well … Iowa. Defense, field position, the return game, sound offense – sound familiar? And no one comes into Kinnick and out-Iowas, Iowa. Yes, the Badgers stuffed the USC running game, but Jayden Maiava and the Trojans were able to throw a little bit, hitting 62% of their passes to dink and dunk down the field. Michigan State and Penn State weren't able to throw on Wisconsin, but USC and everyone else hit at least 60% of their passes. Iowa is 4-0 when connecting on 60% or more of its throws, and 1-3 when it doesn't.
Iowa has been held to under 100 rushing yards four times. The losses to Ohio State and Minnesota, the 16-13 win over Iowa State, and the minor-miracle 20-19 win at Michigan. The Iowa running game has been feast-or-famine – totally dominating in the wins over everyone but Michigan. It's not going to dominate against this Badger defense, but … Wisconsin isn't completing passes. This will be about field position, mistakes, and one big play in a tough dogfight. Like the loss at UCLA, the Badgers will play well, and it won't be enough on the road.
Iowa 16, Wisconsin 13 Latest Consensus Line: Iowa -3.5, o/u: 36.5 ATS Confidence (out of 5) : 2 Must See Rating (out of 5) : 4.5
Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Source: Sports
