Iowa Football Schedule: Hawkeyes Surge Into November With Four-Game Gauntlet

Bassyonni

ago 2 days

Iowa Football Schedule

Fresh off a statement win over Minnesota, the Iowa football schedule turns the page to a decisive November that will define the Big Ten race and bowl positioning. Iowa sits 6–2 (4–1 Big Ten) after eight games and now faces a four-game run that includes two national brands and the traditional Black Friday finale.

2025 Iowa Football Schedule and Results (to date)

Aug 30 — vs UAlbany — W 34–7
Sep 6 — at Iowa State — L 13–16
Sep 13 — vs UMass — W 47–7
Sep 19 (Fri) — at Rutgers — W 38–28
Sep 27 — vs Indiana — L 15–20
Oct 11 — at Wisconsin — W 37–0
Oct 18 — vs Penn State — W 25–24
Oct 25 — vs Minnesota — W 41–3
Nov 1 — Idle

Up next

Nov 8 — vs Oregon (Iowa City) — Time/TV TBA
Nov 15 — at USC (Los Angeles) — Afternoon/evening ET, TBA
Nov 22 — vs Michigan State — Time/TV TBA
Nov 28 (Fri) — at Nebraska (Lincoln) — 11:00 a.m. CT kickoff

Times and television windows are set closer to game week and can change.

What the Final Stretch Means

Iowa’s route to a Big Ten title-game berth remains open but unforgiving. November delivers the league’s West Coast newcomers back-to-back—Oregon at Kinnick, then a trip to the Coliseum—before Senior Day against Michigan State and the short-week rivalry at Nebraska on Black Friday. Split those first two and protect home turf, and Iowa can enter the holiday weekend with everything to play for.

How Iowa Arrived at 6–2

The October pivot was dramatic. After a narrow home setback against Indiana, the Hawkeyes reset during the bye window in early October, then smashed Wisconsin on the road, edged Penn State in a one-score grinder, and overwhelmed Minnesota with complementary football: early-down efficiency, field-position mastery, and red-zone finishing that had been missing in September.

Three trends underpin the surge:

Defense dictating terms. The front has suffocated interior runs and forced opponents into third-and-long, where disguised pressures and disciplined zone eyes have produced drive-killing incompletions.
Quarterback on-schedule. The passing game has leaned into rhythm throws and play-action, cutting negative plays while creating timely shots down the seams.
Special teams edges. Iowa continues to steal hidden yards with directional punting, coverage discipline, and reliable placekicking—vital in low-possession games.

November Scouting Notes on the Iowa Football Schedule

Oregon (Nov 8, Kinnick Stadium)

Why it’s tricky: Oregon’s tempo and explosive play rate test pursuit angles and communication in the back seven.
Iowa path: Control pace with sustained drives, win field position, and force the Ducks to execute in the low red zone instead of racing from distance.

USC (Nov 15, Los Angeles)

Why it’s tricky: The Trojans’ perimeter speed stresses tackling in space and demands clean leverage from nickel and safety groups.
Iowa path: Limit yards after catch, squeeze possessions, and lean on the run/play-action blend to keep USC’s defense on the field.

Michigan State (Nov 22, Iowa City)

Why it’s tricky: A physical front that can muddy run lanes and drag the game into the fourth quarter.
Iowa path: Stay patient on standard downs, protect the ball, and let special teams tilt the short field.

Nebraska (Nov 28, Lincoln — 11:00 a.m. CT)

Why it’s tricky: Short week, rivalry volatility, and a defense that thrives on crowd noise and havoc plays.
Iowa path: Start clean, avoid early turnovers, and lean on situational excellence that has defined recent series wins.

Key Metrics to Track in November

Early-down success rate: If Iowa stays ahead of the sticks, the call sheet opens and the defense stays fresh.
Explosive plays allowed: Limiting 20+ yard gains is the lever against Oregon/USC tempo.
Red-zone touchdown rate: Turning 3s into 7s separates tight Big Ten games in November weather.
Net special teams EPA: Iowa’s annual advantage often becomes decisive late in the year.

Bowl Picture and Big Ten Stakes

At 6–2, Iowa is already bowl-eligible, but the ceiling hinges on November. Win three of four and the Hawkeyes are positioned for a New Year’s selection; split the month and they remain in the upper tier with a quality bowl tie-in. The head-to-heads against Oregon and USC also carry tiebreak implications if multiple teams cluster with two or three league losses.

Kinnick, the Coliseum, and a Rivalry Road Test

The Iowa football schedule saved its sharpest tests for last. After a dominant October, the Hawkeyes control their own climb: bank a signature home result against Oregon, handle the cross-country trip with veteran poise, defend Senior Day, and then brave Lincoln on a short week. Do that, and December won’t just be about a bowl destination—it will be about silverware.