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CBS Sports picks one game that could define Iowa football in 2026
TL;DR
Iowa football faces a challenging start to the 2026 season, with key games against Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington. CBS Sports highlights the October 9 matchup at Washington as potentially defining for the Hawkeyes' season.
Key points
- Iowa faces a tough start with three out-of-conference games.
- The Big Ten schedule begins with a trip to Michigan.
- CBS Sports identifies the game at Washington as season-defining.
Iowa HawkeyesOhio State BuckeyesMichiganWashington
Sure, the Iowa Hawkeyes have three out-of-conference games to start the year, and should be favored in each of those games against Northern Illinois, Iowa State, and Northern Iowa, but after that, the heat turns up immediately.
Iowa is thrown into Big Ten play with a trip to Michigan to open up conference play, which is followed by a date back at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes, two games the Hawkeyes figure to be underdogs in. After that, Iowa has been handed a trip out West.
Iowa will head to Washington for a Friday night game, creating a short turnaround against a team that always plays tough at home. The Big Ten showdown is one that CBS Sports believes could define Iowa's entire season.
18. Iowa: at Washington, Oct. 9
The first half of the season is pretty brutal for the Hawkeyes, and it includes a three-week stretch that features games against Michigan, Ohio State and Washington. Let's assume Iowa will be an underdog in those first two. It may well be an underdog in Seattle as well, but there's a decent chance the Hawkeyes will have to win this one in order to avoid an 0-3 start in Big Ten play. - Austin Nivison, CBS Sports
Washington enters this matchup with the luxury of substantially less travel. The Huskies will open up the season with four home games against Washington State, Utah State, Eastern Washington, and Minnesota, before their first road trip, which is to USC. The Huskies don't leave the West Coast until after Iowa comes to town.
Q&A
What are Iowa's key games in the 2026 football season?
Iowa's key games include matchups against Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington.
Why is the Iowa vs. Washington game significant for the 2026 season?
The game against Washington is seen as crucial for Iowa to avoid an 0-3 start in Big Ten play.
When does Iowa football start its Big Ten schedule in 2026?
Iowa starts its Big Ten schedule with a game at Michigan, followed by a home game against Ohio State.
