The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to return to Kinnick Stadium for a marquee matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. Central Time. Both teams enter the game with identical overall records of 5‑2, and the contest carries added significance as it falls on Halloween, a traditional highlight on the Hawkeyes’ schedule.
Game details and how to watch
The game will be televised nationally on FOX, with a live stream available on Fox One for subscribers. Ticket demand remains high; while the primary box office is sold out, fans can still locate resale tickets through Iowa’s official partner, SeatGeek.
Series history and recent trends
Since their first meeting in 1894, Iowa and Wisconsin have faced each other 99 times, with Wisconsin holding a narrow 49‑48‑2 edge. An Iowa victory this weekend would even the series at 100 games apiece. Under longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have gone 13‑12 against the Badgers, winning five of the last six meetings, including all three contests with current Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell.
Recent head‑to‑head results illustrate Iowa’s recent dominance:
- 2025: Iowa 37, Wisconsin 0
- 2024: Iowa 42, Wisconsin 10
- 2023: Iowa 15, Wisconsin 6
- 2022: Iowa 24, Wisconsin 10
- 2021: Wisconsin 27, Iowa 7
What to know about the 2026 Badgers
Wisconsin arrives in Iowa City after a strong start to the season, already surpassing its 2025 win total (four victories) and matching its 2024 total (five wins). The Badgers are ranked this week for the first time since 2023.
Defensively, the Badgers are impressive, allowing just 15.3 points per game – the 13th‑best mark among the 138 FBS programs. Offensively, the team leans heavily on its ground game. Dual‑threat quarterback Colton Joseph leads the rushing attack with 365 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Abu Sama contributes 295 yards and a league‑leading 5.8 yards per carry.
Wisconsin’s aerial attack has been limited; the Badgers threw for only 58 yards in a recent 24‑7 win over USC and have not eclipsed 200 passing yards since a Sept. 26 game against Penn State. Only Notre Dame has managed to score more than 20 points against Wisconsin this season, posting a 41‑13 victory at Lambeau Field.
Local coverage and fan engagement
KCCI’s “Big College Kickoff” will preview the game live on the Very Local streaming platform at 10:30 a.m. each Saturday this fall. Host Cullen Holt, joined by Scott Reister and Shannon Ehrhardt, will provide analysis and feature a new “Ask a Player” segment, inviting fans to submit questions for the Hawkeyes and Badgers.
Very Local offers 24/7 access to KCCI news, weather, and original programming via a free app available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and smartphones. Follow the channel on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for additional updates.
Why the rivalry matters to Iowa families
Beyond the on‑field competition, the Iowa‑Wisconsin game is a community event that brings families together for a shared weekend tradition. The matchup showcases the values of hard work, perseverance, and sportsmanship that resonate with Iowa’s faith‑centered, family‑oriented communities.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
