Iowa Football’s 2026 Schedule: A Gauntlet of Tests, Firsts, and Familiar Foes
The calendar’s barely flipped to 2026, but for Iowa football, the countdown is already on. With the release of the Hawkeyes’ full schedule, fans got their first real glimpse of what Kirk Ferentz’s 28th season at the helm will look like-and it’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing slates in recent memory.
Coming off a 9-3 campaign capped by a win over a Vanderbilt team that finished No. 15 in the AP poll, Iowa is entering a new chapter. The roster is undergoing its usual offseason transformation, with 22 incoming freshmen and 16 transfer additions set to join the program. Spring practice is just around the corner, and while the Hawkeyes still have some positional questions to iron out, the schedule itself is already telling a story.
Here are three major takeaways from Iowa’s newly revealed 2026 schedule.
Quarterback Battle Will Be Tested Early-and Often
Let’s start with the most important position on the field. Iowa has a quarterback competition on its hands, and it’s not just for show.
Offensive coordinator Tim Lester made it clear during bowl prep in Tampa: Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown are going to battle it out this offseason for the starting role. And that battle is why the Hawkeyes didn’t dip into the transfer portal for a signal caller-they believe the answer is already in the room.
Whoever wins the job won’t have much time to ease into the spotlight. Yes, the non-conference slate-Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and UNI-offers a soft runway. But once Big Ten play begins, it’s a full sprint into the fire.
The Hawkeyes open conference play with a road trip to Michigan’s Big House. That marks the seventh straight season Iowa starts Big Ten action on the road, and it doesn’t get easier from there.
The next two weeks? A home date with Ohio State, followed by a trip to Seattle to face Washington.
Then, finally, a bye week.
That three-game stretch is as brutal as they come, especially for a first-year starter. It’s also going to be a litmus test for how far this offense has come under Lester, who helped guide the unit to a noticeable step forward last season. If Iowa’s quarterback can survive that early gauntlet, the rest of the season could open up in a big way.
A Season of Firsts, Even in Year 28
You’d think after nearly three decades leading the Hawkeyes, Kirk Ferentz would’ve seen it all. But 2026 is throwing a few new wrinkles his way.
For starters, this will be the first time Iowa plays both Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back seasons since 1954. That’s right-this isn’t just a rare scheduling quirk; it’s a piece of history. In fact, it’s only the fourth time in program history that the Wolverines and Buckeyes have appeared in consecutive seasons.
And then there’s the trip to Washington. The Hawkeyes haven’t played in Seattle since 1963, a game Iowa won 17-7.
The two programs have met seven times overall, including last season when Iowa handled the Huskies 40-16 in Iowa City during Washington’s debut Big Ten campaign. But this time, it’s a cross-country road test in a hostile environment.
All of this is part of the Big Ten’s expanded 13-week schedule-a format that’s already producing some unique matchups. For Ferentz, this early-season stretch might be one of the toughest three-game conference runs he’s ever had to navigate. And the fact that it includes some firsts only adds to the intrigue.
A Familiar Finish: The Return of the (Old) Big Ten West
If you’re a fan of the old-school Big Ten West, the back half of Iowa’s schedule is going to hit you right in the nostalgia.
After the bye week, Iowa runs through a gauntlet of former West Division foes. The Hawkeyes will face all six of the old divisional opponents, starting with a trip to Northwestern-where they’ll get a first look at the brand-new Ryan Field.
There’s also a border battle with Illinois, a matchup that hasn’t happened since 2023. And let’s not forget the trophy games: all three of Iowa’s conference rivalry trophies will be up for grabs after the bye. That stretch isn’t just about familiarity-it’s about bragging rights, postseason positioning, and potentially a College Football Playoff push.
The Purdue and Northwestern matchups carry a little extra edge as well. Both programs have had their moments against Iowa in recent years, and neither matchup is ever short on tension.
For the Hawkeyes, this back-loaded schedule could be a blessing. If the new quarterback finds his footing during the early trial by fire, and if the offense continues to evolve under Lester, Iowa could be in prime position to make a run down the stretch.
Final Thought
It’s only January, and there’s still plenty to sort out on the practice field before we start talking about postseason scenarios. But one thing’s already clear: Iowa’s 2026 schedule is no cakewalk. It’s a blend of heavyweight clashes, historic firsts, and old-school rivalries-all wrapped into one.
For Ferentz and his staff, the road ahead is steep. But for fans? It’s shaping up to be one heck of a ride.