Iowa heads into Saturday’s Homecoming game with a chance to straighten things out, and the stakes are lined up neatly: a centennial meeting, a Big Ten rivalry and the Heartland Trophy sitting there for the taking against No. 25 Wisconsin.
It’s also a familiar kind of test for the Hawkeyes, who get the Badgers in an 11 a.m. kickoff at Kinnick Stadium for the first time in two years. Iowa is looking for a Big Ten win after watching the Floyd of Rosedale stay in Minnesota last week, and the matchup gives the Hawkeyes a clean shot to reset.
The first job is simple in theory and messy in practice: slow down Colton Joseph. Wisconsin’s quarterback has turned into something close to a running back in the Badgers’ offense, piling up more than 400 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 84 carries through seven games. That puts extra pressure on Iowa’s front, which has allowed only 540 rushing yards all season and is giving up just 82.9 yards per game on the ground.
And Joseph isn’t the only body Iowa has to account for. Wisconsin can also lean on Abu Sama III, Darrion Dupree and Bryan Jackson III, so Phil Parker’s defense has to make the quarterback’s life miserable without losing sight of the rest of the run game. The assignment is to keep Colton’s time on Iowa’s field difficult for all 60 minutes.
On the other side, Iowa needs more life from its tight ends. After the offense stalled against Minnesota, Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes will start Hank Brown on Saturday and move between him and Jeremy Hecklinski as he and the staff see fit. That makes the pass-catching help even more important, especially with Kamari Moulton out for the rest of the season.
DJ Vonnahme and Addison Ostrenga have both already scored this year, but most of their work has come as blockers. Vonnahme’s two touchdowns came against Washington before the bye week, and Iowa could use either tight end - ideally both - to become a bigger factor in the passing game. That would help the Hawkeyes open things up a bit more, and it would come with former Iowa star George Kittle in attendance this weekend.
Then there’s the secondary, which may not get a ton of chances, but still has to be sharp when Wisconsin does throw. Joseph has completed about 57 percent of his passes this season and has thrown 11 touchdowns against five interceptions. He’s had some success, but the tape says he’s far more comfortable on the move than in the pocket.
Iowa’s defensive backs have already made plays this season. Deshaun Lee leads the way with three interceptions, including one last week against Minnesota.
Jacob Wallace and Rashad Godfrey Jr. each have one as well. If the Hawkeyes get those chances again, they need to cash in and keep Wisconsin from landing an explosive throw.
Iowa is counting on a bounce back, and the matchup could set that up. The Badgers come in off an upset, and if the Hawkeyes can show even a little more on offense than they did a week ago, the bronze bull could be headed back to Iowa City.
Iowa wins, 17-13.
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Stirtz, who was acquired in the 2026 NBA Draft, chipped in 8 points, while Dix got on the board for the first time in his NBA career after signing a two-way contract with the Thunder as an undrafted player. With Jalen Williams already out for the season and four starters sidelined in all, the path for both Hawkeyes alumni suddenly looks more realistic than it did at the start of the year. [Read more 🡒]