A daunting road ahead for Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa’s football program entered the 2026 campaign with optimism after a nine‑win season in 2025, but the schedule that awaits them in October promises a severe test of that momentum.
The Hawkeyes will meet Michigan, Ohio State and Washington in consecutive weeks, a sequence that CBS Sports has positioned as the second‑toughest slate in the nation. CBS analyst Brad Crawford likens the stretch to three straight heavyweight fights for Iowa’s defense.
While the defense faces a gauntlet, the offense will look to build on recent successes; notably, Iowa’s two victories over Ohio State since 2000 both occurred in Iowa City, a fact that adds a layer of confidence for the coaching staff.
Coach Kirk Ferentz, the longest‑tenured leader in the program, has described the upcoming stretch as a pivotal moment that could define the team’s identity.
Despite the early‑season difficulty, the latter half of the schedule appears more manageable, offering the Hawkeyes a chance to climb back into contention as they head toward postseason aspirations shared by all three opponents.