(UW ATHLETICS) – The Wisconsin Badgers host the Iowa Hawkeyes for homecoming at Camp Randall Stadium this Saturday.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s at stake: The Badgers host the Iowa Hawkeyes in a battle for the Heartland Trophy inside sold-out Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers will don special Under Armour throwback uniforms, complete with vintage logos, to celebrate Homecoming.
Haven’t won against Iowa since when? Wisconsin is in search of its first win in the rivalry matchup with Iowa since 2021. The Badgers hold a 10-9 edge in the series since the 72-pound brass bull trophy was first presented to the winner of the rivalry game in 2004. Wisconsin has not lost 4 straight games versus Iowa since 2002-05. The Badgers won 4 straight in the series from 2016-19.
Homestanding: The Badgers begin a 2-game homestand that features meetings with Iowa and No. 1 Ohio State (Oct. 18). The Badgers head to #3 Oregon to close out October on Oct. 25.
Not a record one wants: With Hunter Simmons getting the start at Mich., UW has now deployed 5 starting QBs since the beginning of 2024 – tied for the most in the Big Ten. UCF is the
only FBS team to start more (6) in that span. Wisconsin has used 3 starting QBs this season. The last time the Badgers started 3 QBs in a single seasonwas 2012 (Danny O’Brien, Joel Stave, Curt Phillips). That squad went 8-6, won the Big Ten Championship Game and played in the Rose Bowl versus Stanford.
Running the ball will be tough: Wisconsin ranks 6th in the nation and 2nd in the Big Ten, allowing only 75.0 rushing yards per game. Iowa leads the Big Ten, allowing only 69.4 ypg.
Hawkeyes on a roll: The Hawkeyes are 29-11 in their last 40 rivalry trophy games (Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin).
Playing under the stars: Iowa is playing its fourth night game of the season on Saturday in Camp Randall.
Stingy defense: The Hawkeye defense has not surrendered a point in the third quarter this season. The unit is 12th nationally in total defense (254.2) and 19th in scoring
defense (15.6).
I’ll take that punt: Iowa’s punt return unit is tops in the nation, averaging 33.11 yards per game, while the kickoff return unit is 14th (28.56). Kaden Wetjen is No. 1 in the nation in combined kick return yards (465).
Piling up the points: Iowa scored 38 points in its Week 4 victory at Rutgers – the most points in a Big Ten road contest since finishing with 51 points at Maryland in 2021 (also a
Friday night road contest).
On target: • Over his last three games, Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski has completed 47-of-67 attempts (70.1 percent) for 509 yards and two touchdowns. He has seven rushing TDs this season – tied for seventh in the NCAA.
This week’s Big Ten schedule: Washington vs. Rutgers (Friday) – 8 p.m., FS1
Illinois vs. Ohio State – 11 a.m., FOX
Michigan State vs. UCLA – 11 a.m., BTN
Oregon vs. Indiana – 2:30 p.m., CBS
Penn State vs. Northwestern – 2:30 p.m., FS1
Maryland vs. Nebraska – 2:30 p.m., BTN
Wisconsin vs. Iowa – 6 p.m., FS1
USC vs. Michigan – 6:30 p.m., NBC
Minnesota vs. Purdue – 6:30 p.m., BTN
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