What’s at stake
Wisconsin surged into the Top 25 for the second time under head coach Luke Fickell and the first time since Week 1 of the 2023 season following a win over USC last week. The last time a Fickell-led Badgers squad found itself inside the poll was immediately spoiled by a 31-23 loss to Washington State. Wisconsin will look to avoid a similar fate and provide another boost to its newfound optimism with a win over a newly-unranked Iowa.
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The Hawkeyes find themselves outside of the Top 25 for the first time this season. After debuting at 22, Iowa climbed as high as 14 and was ranked No. 15 last week, but a 13-10 loss to unranked Minnesota jettisoned the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s playoff hopes took a big hit with last week’s loss and would be officially dashed with a loss to the Badgers.
Series history
Iowa has won the last four meetings between the two programs, including a 37-0 beatdown last year. But Wisconsin leads the all-time series 49-48-2 while the series is tied 10-10 since the introduction of the Heartland Trophy in 2004.
The Hawkeyes last lost to Wisconsin in 2021. The Badgers claimed that matchup 27-7 in Madison over a then-No. 9 Iowa. The Hawkeyes last lost to Wisconsin in Iowa City in 2018. A then-No. 18 Badgers team beat an unranked Iowa 28-17.
“It's been a tough contest,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I didn't realize this was the 100th one, but, boy, most of them have been really close and tough and competitive. That's what I see coming Saturday, another tough contest.”
Forecast
Saturday’s forecast calls for a wet and rainy Halloween with temperatures expected to sit in the high 50’s to low 60’s during the football game.
Badgers to know
QUARTERBACK COLTON JOSEPH
Last year, Wisconsin lost both its starting and backup quarterbacks to injury and spent the majority of the season with its third-string quarterback under center. In 2026, Colton Joseph, an Old Dominion transfer, has stepped in to solidify the position — and he’s been excellent.
Joseph has thrown for 1,256 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions while adding 365 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground.
LINEBACKER SEBASTIAN CHEEKS
A former North Carolina transfer, Cheeks is in his third season as a significant contributor to the Wisconsin defense.
He leads the team with five sacks, including 2.5 sacks last week, five quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. He’s also recorded three passes defended.
SAFETY MATTHEW JUNG
A fifth-year player and second-year starter, Jung is everywhere for the Badger defense. He’s third on the team with 46 total tackles (25 solo), second in interceptions with one and second in passes broken up with six. He also recorded one tackle for loss.
The Neenah, Wisconsin, native is Wisconsin’s third-highest graded defensive player on Pro Football Focus (PFF). He also holds the Badgers top coverage grade from PFF.
Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com.
