2026 Iowa Football Schedule Released

After weeks of waiting, the Big Ten has released the 2026 football schedule, which means we have an early forecast on how Iowa football's 2026 campaign could play out. 

The Big Ten was the last of the Power Four conferences to reveal its league schedule, but for Iowa fans, it was well worth the wait. 

It's far too early to gauge where the Hawkeyes could stack up against some of the conference's top foes, but their 2026 schedule will provide a chance for Iowa fans to banter with one another on social media and start to book travel plans. 

Here's the full schedule along with some thoughts on each matchup: 

Sept. 5: vs. Northern Illinois 

If it seems like Northern Illinois is a common non-conference opponent for Iowa under Kirk Ferentz, you'd be correct. This will be Ferentz's seventh meeting against the Huskies, and the fifth time his Hawks have opened the season against Northern Illinois. The programs have met 10 times, with Iowa winning nine of those games (only loss was in 2013). 

Sept. 12: vs. Iowa State 

Iowa will get its first crack against new-look Iowa State in the friendly confines of Kinnick Stadium. The only problem? The Hawkeyes have struggled against their in-state rivals at home in recent years, winning just one meeting at Kinnick Stadium (2018) since 2010. 

Sept. 19: vs. Northern Iowa 

The Panthers haven't paid a visit to Kinnick Stadium since 2018, and though its way-too-early to make any game predictions, it's hard to see this one coming down to a blocked field goal. Northern Iowa is far removed from its glory days under Mark Farley, with new head coach Todd Stepsis struggling to a 3-9 season in his first year in Cedar Falls. 

Sept. 26: @ Michigan 

Iowa's first trip to the Big House since 2019 will be an interesting one. Michigan enters the season with a lot of questions after a tumultuous offseason that resulted in the unexpected hiring of Kyle Whittingham as the new head coach. Beating the Wolverines on the road is no easy task, especially in the Big Ten road opener, but the Hawkeyes may catch a break by traveling to Ann Arbor early in the season. 

Oct. 3: vs. Ohio State 

It's been awhile since Iowa has played Michigan and Ohio State in the same season, and the Big Ten decided to have both matchups in back-to-back weeks (first time since 1954). This couldn't be a harder start to conference play for the Hawkeyes, but we'll quickly find out what this team is made of. On the bright side, this will be Iowa's first time welcoming the Buckeyes to Kinnick Stadium since 2017.

If my memory is correct, that turned out to be a special November day in Iowa City. 

Oct. 10: @ Washington 

This will be Iowa's first trip to Seattle since 1963 - a 17-7 Hawkeye win. Despite being conference foes for only two seasons, the Hawkeyes and Huskies have a history with each other, having met in two Rose Bowls (1981, 1990). Iowa has historically struggled on the West Coast, and getting Washington after back-to-back games against Michigan and Ohio State is brutal for the Hawkeyes. 

Oct. 17: BYE WEEK 

Oct. 24: @ Minnesota 

Iowa hasn't lost in Minneapolis since 2013, but Minnesota will be out for revenge after suffering a 41-3 beatdown in Iowa City last year. It's always fun when these two rivals get together, and having the game played in late-October just feels right, especially since the last matchup in the Twin Cities was in September. 

Oct. 31: vs. Wisconsin 

Luke Fickell is desperate to turn the Badgers around, and he's probably already circled this game on his calendar. Iowa has won five out of the last six meetings over Wisconsin, including a 37-0 shutout win at Camp Randall Stadium last year. 

Nov. 7: @ Northwestern 

No one will have a clear gauge on Northwestern until later in the season, but at least the Wildcats have the comfort of playing in a beautiful new stadium. I wouldn't be surprised to see it filled with Hawkeye fans for this one, however. These two former Big Ten West foes will meet after a one-year absence. 

Nov. 14: vs. Purdue 

While Indiana has suddenly turned into a blue blood program, Purdue has been the exact opposite, recording one of the lowest winning percentages of any Big Ten team in the past decade. Traveling to Kinnick Stadium in November will be a tough task. 

Nov. 21: @ Illinois 

Bret Bielema continues to build Illinois into a stable program, transforming this traditionally-lopsided clash into an even one. Iowa won the last meeting in 2023, but the Fighting Illini won the last meeting in Champaign (2022). 

Nov. 27 (Friday): vs. Nebraska 

Few things in this country are better than Black Friday football, and Nebraska and Iowa seem to always put on a show at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes have won 10 out of the last 11 games over the Cornhuskers, and a spot in the College Football Playoff could be on the line in this one. 

Final Thoughts: I both love and hate this schedule for Iowa. The three-game stretch to open league play - at Michigan, Ohio State, at Washington - is one of the toughest stretches the Hawkeyes have had in some time, but I love the back half of the schedule because it's basically a repeat of the old Big Ten West, which Iowa fared well in. Find a way to get through the early portion of league play with at least 1-2 wins, and the Hawkeyes will put themselves in great position down the stretch.