With just five games to go in the 2026 season, the Wisconsin Badgers are on the precipice of their second bowl game under head coach Luke Fickell while also still holding a glimmer of hope for a potential run to the Big Ten championship game.
When looking down the line at the Badgers’ final five opponents, the route to a 9-10 win season next takes a trip to an abrasive Kinnick Stadium against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Not too long ago, this could have been established as a nigh-on loss, but now, the Hawkeyes look nowhere near as daunting as they once did.
What changed?
Firstly, the momentum of the two programs could not be more different. After a 4-0 start, the Hawkeyes have dropped two of their last three games to Ohio State and Minnesota, with a win against a desolate
Washington providing little respite.
While no team is going to get taxed for a loss to the Buckeyes, last weekend’s 13-10 slugfest against an inconsistent Minnesota team proves that even when Iowa is able to bring teams down a level, they can’t always ensure a win.
Not to mention, while Iowa was beginning to recover from that Saturday’s game, the Badgers were cruising past a then No. 15 USC side that put together just one touchdown across 60 minutes.
And while rankings like the Associated Press can often come off as controversial, it never hurts to see a number beside your name, and for the first time since 2023, Wisconsin can flex a ranking, even if it is a vulnerable No. 25.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Why the Wisconsin Badgers have all the momentum in Week 9 vs. Iowa
