Season outlook and schedule
The Iowa Hawkeyes finished the 2025 campaign with a 9‑4 record, capping the year with a decisive win over Vanderbilt in the Reliaquest Bowl. Head coach Kirk Ferentz, now in his 24th season, will lean on a core group of veterans as the program moves into 2026.
Among the returning standouts are running back Kamari Moulton and tight end D.J. Vonnahme, who have announced their intent to stay for the upcoming season. Their presence adds depth to an offense that lost quarterback Mark Gronowski to the NFL but retains enough experience to remain competitive.
The Hawkeyes will host seven home games at Kinnick Stadium, meeting opponents such as Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue and Nebraska. Road trips will take them to Michigan, Washington, Minnesota, Northwestern and Illinois, with the season opener against Northern Illinois scheduled for September 5 at 4:15 p.m. ET.
Ticket pricing reflects the demand, with the cheapest home‑game seats starting at $38 for the opener and the most expensive reaching $244 for marquee matchups. The cheapest away‑game tickets are priced at $26 for the November 21 contest at Illinois. Fans will also be vying for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy when Iowa travels to Minnesota on October 24, a game Iowa has won ten of the last eleven.
Entering the 2026 season, the Hawkeyes are unranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll, a position that could fuel a motivated start. With a blend of seasoned players and a challenging schedule, the team aims to translate early momentum into a strong finish.