Iowa’s next test is the kind of stretch that can expose a team in a hurry.
The Hawkeyes already had one of the nastiest three-game runs on the schedule: a trip to Michigan to open Big Ten play, a home date with Ohio State, and then a short-week flight to Seattle for Washington. On paper, it looked rough from the start. Now that it’s here, the challenge is even sharper.
Last weekend took a lot out of Iowa, too. Kinnick Stadium was rocking, ESPN College GameDay was in town, and the whole scene carried a big-game feel.
But that chapter is closed now. Iowa has to move on fast.
The first loss of the season came against Ohio State, and it wasn’t just a loss. The Buckeyes beat Iowa up a bit, leaving the Hawkeyes with some bumps and bruises heading into Friday night.
At this point in the season, that part isn’t unusual. Week 6 means everybody is dealing with something.
Still, the deck is clearly stacked. Iowa is coming off Ohio State, making its longest road trip of the season, and doing it on a Friday with one less day of rest. That’s a lot to ask from any team.
And Washington isn’t exactly a comfortable opponent, either. The Huskies are desperate to avoid an 0-3 start in Big Ten play, and that makes them dangerous. A wounded team at home can be a bad draw, even with a 3-2 record.
This is the sort of spot where Kirk Ferentz has built his reputation. Iowa has long been one of the better teams at treating a loss like just that - one loss - and resetting quickly. Ferentz has made that part of the program’s DNA.
But this one calls for more than a quick reset. Iowa needs everyone pulling in the same direction, fully aware of what’s at stake. A win would move the Hawkeyes to 5-1 before the bye and keep their College Football Playoff path in view.
That’s the opportunity sitting right there. Iowa had chances like this last year against Indiana and Oregon and didn’t seize them.
Now another one is in front of the Hawkeyes. They just have to respond, rebound, and take it.
In Other News...
Iowa Lost Saturday But Kinnick Still Showed What Makes This Program Different
Saturdays loss to Ohio State did not change what makes an Iowa home game feel different from so many others around college football. ESPNs College GameDay was on campus for the first time this season, and before kickoff the crew stopped at the University of Iowa Childrens Hospital, spending time with patients and families as part of a visit that fit right into the atmosphere around Kinnick Stadium.
The bigger story there has always been more than what happens on the field. The Wave remains one of the sports most recognizable traditions, and it reflects the kind of local support that has long defined Iowa football. Even on a tough afternoon, the scene around Kinnick served as a reminder that this programs connection to its community is part of the draw. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa's QB Picture Just Got More Complicated Ahead Of Washington
Iowas Week 6 depth chart added another layer to an already fluid quarterback situation heading into Washington, with Hank Brown listed as the starter even after getting banged up in the previous game. Browns status has been a talking point all week, and the release only sharpened the focus on how the Hawkeyes plan to handle the most important spot on the field.
Jeremy Hecklinski is still in the mix after stepping in and performing well in Browns place, so Iowa does have another option if the game script or Browns availability pushes it that way. The rest of the offensive picture looks a little more settled, with Kamari Moulton listed as the lead back, though the Hawkeyes are clearly still planning to rotate other running backs into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Faces A Desperate Washington Team In A Huge Road Test
Friday night brings Iowa into a tricky Big Ten road test against Washington, a matchup that carries a different kind of urgency for both programs. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 and looking to head into their bye week at 5-1, a mark that would keep their season moving in the right direction after a strong start.
Washington, meanwhile, is the team with more immediate pressure. At 3-2, the Huskies need a win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes from slipping further, and this is only the second Big Ten meeting between the programs, with Iowa holding a 4-3 edge in the all-time series. For Iowa, it is the kind of road game that can say plenty about where this team stands in the league race. [Read more 🡒]