flag
back Atrás
Iowa vs. Wisconsin: 3 Keys to Victory for the Hawkeyes in the Battle for the Heartland

It's time to see if Iowa can strike back. Wisconsin comes to Kinnick with high hopes and confidence, which demands a crisp performance from the Hawkeyes.

Oct 24, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Kade Pieper (58) looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It's time for the Iowa Hawkeyes to go back to what works. This game against the Wisconsin Badgers is a vintage Big Ten rivalry for the Battle of the Heartland - between two teams that have consistently used each other as a measuring stick for success each season.

This year, both Iowa and Wisconsin enter the matchup 5-2, looking to prove a point in this rivalry and get the spotlight of the college football world, as it is the FOX Big Noon Kickoff game. The recipe for Iowa is straightforward, so let's get into what the Hawkeyes must do to get a win.

Run behind your future NFL linemen

There's no reason to get cute or overthink things here if you are the Hawkeyes. You have Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper, two future NFL draft picks, on the offensive line. Get behind them. Get hard yards. Get the ugly first downs. Whatever you have to do, get behind these two and go.

Iowa is without Kamari Moulton. Iowa needs to get behind Pieper and Lauck with its other backs, a few of whom are still young in their careers, to make things easier. Put this game on their shoulders offensively, as Iowa has so often done with the offensive line, and grind out ugly, hard yards.

Generate 2 short fields for the offense

Wisconsin's defense is good. Let's face the facts on that one. The Badgers are stout against the run, don't let teams sling it a ton on them, and won't give up long, sustained drives. Iowa, after last week's showing, isn't the beacon of offensive firepower, either.

I think Iowa's defense and special teams need to find two short fields in this game that set the offense up in field-goal position, at least. Be it turnovers, good returns, or what have you, creating points in these phases is going to be the difference for Iowa scoring and gaining confidence on offense.

Keep Colton Joseph in the pocket

Iowa shut down Minnesota's passing game last week, and now faces a passing attack that, on paper, is lacking comparatively. Of course, things can happen, but Iowa's secondary has to like this matchup against Colton Joseph, who completes just 57.2% of his passes.

The worry for Iowa is if he breaks contain and hurts them with his legs, which he is more than capable of. Iowa's overall discipline on defense comes into play here. The defensive ends have to avoid getting upfield and creating lanes, while Bryce Hawthorne and others collapse the pocket.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

You may like

Iowa Football's Best Matchups Against Northwestern Flip the Script

si.com hace 54 minutos

Stefanski prepares Falcons for Bengals' offense in Madrid after struggles in the rain in Florida

aol.com hace 1 hora

Everything HC Bucky McMillan, players said after season-opening win

aol.com hace 2 horas

Player grades: Tyrese Maxey leads Sixers over Knicks in Cup opener

aol.com hace 4 días

Calijah Kancey does the dirty work inside

aol.com hace 18 horas

Texas A&M's Defense Must Start Giving Its Offense Better Field Position

si.com hace 1 día

Self Scout: Analyzing the Kentucky defense through eight weeks

aol.com hace 4 días

Ranking Andre Drummond’s First 7 Games With Knicks, Best to Worst

si.com hace 54 minutos

What Does 2024 Ole Miss Game say About What Oklahoma's Offense Could Look Like vs. Florida?

si.com hace 54 minutos

5 Best 2027 Draft Prospects Jets Need on Their Radar as Colts Sink Further Into Basement

si.com hace 54 minutos