Wisconsin football vs Iowa score, live updates, highlights, how to watch

IOWA CITY – Wisconsin football is trying to do something in Week 9 it has not achieved since 2021.

Bring a 72-pound brass bull back to Madison.

The Badgers have lost to Heartland Trophy rival Iowa in four consecutive seasons. That includes a 42-10 loss in 2024 and a 37-0 loss in 2025. The opportunity for 2026 redemption will be on Oct. 31 at Kinnick Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 11 a.m., and Fox will broadcast the game. (Fox also has its Big Noon Kickoff show in Iowa City before the game.)

The Journal Sentinel will have live coverage from Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium. Follow below for all the updates before, during and after the Wisconsin vs. Iowa game:

What to know about Heartland Trophy, the 72-pound brass bull on the line in Wisconsin vs Iowa game

10:30 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

The Heartland Trophy has been the traveling trophy in the Wisconsin-Iowa rivalry since 2004. Former Iowa football player Frank Strub designed and crafted the trophy. It weighs 72 pounds. The trophy has been in Iowa City since 2022.

Highlights from Wisconsin football's last win

10:16 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

What Wisconsin OL Barrett Nelson's absence means for Badgers

10:11 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

Wisconsin's revolving door on the offensive line will continue, as Barrett Nelson is out with an injury one week after his first career start. The Badgers' other options are somewhat limited. PJ Wilkins struggled mightily in recent games. Austin Kawecki does not have an injury designation, but he has been recovering from a hand injury.

This could be especially important in a rivalry series where the team with the advantage on the ground has often been the one hoisting the Heartland Trophy.

Wisconsin vs Iowa pregame availability report: Who is out with injuries

10:03 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

Out for Wisconsin

• CB Cai Bates
• RB Nate Palmer
• OL Barrett Nelson

Out for Iowa

• DB Cody Haddad
• DB Tyler Brown
• LB Burke Gautcher
• WR Brody Schaffer
• RB Brevin Doll
• DB Kyler Gerardy
• RB Kamari Moulton
• OL Lucas Allgeyer
• OL Trent Wilson
• OL Emmanuel Olagbaju

Wisconsin QB Colton Joseph's stats through first seven games

09:46 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

• Passing: 133.4 passer rating, 99 for 173 (57.2%), 1,256 yards, 11 TD, 5 INT, 179.4 yards per game
• Rushing: 365 yards, 84 attempts, 4.3 yards per carry, 4 TD, 52.1 yards per game

Wisconsin football 2026 schedule, results

09:32 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

• Sept. 6: Lost to No. 5 Notre Dame, 41-13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay
• Sept. 12: Won vs. Western Illinois, 36-9
• Sept. 19: Won vs. Eastern Michigan, 54-10
• Sept. 26: Won at Penn State, 24-20
• Oct. 3: Won vs. Michigan State, 31-3
• Oct. 17: Lost at UCLA, 17-7
• Oct. 24: Won vs. No. 15 USC, 24-7
• Oct. 31 at Iowa (11 a.m., Fox)
• Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers (TBD time and TV)
• Nov. 14 at Maryland (TBD time and TV)
• Nov. 21 at Purdue (TBD time and TV)
• Nov. 27 vs. Minnesota (6:30 p.m., NBC)

Big Ten standings ahead of Week 9

09:15 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

• UCLA: 5-0
• Ohio State: 4-0
• Indiana: 4-1
• Northwestern: 3-1
• Minnesota: 3-1
• Wisconsin: 3-1
• USC: 3-2
• Iowa: 2-2
• Nebraska: 2-2
• Illinois: 2-2
• Oregon: 2-2
• Purdue: 2-2
• Michigan: 1-3
• Washington: 1-3
• Rutgers: 1-3
• Penn State: 0-4
• Maryland: 0-4
• Michigan State: 0-5

Wisconsin vs Iowa odds, spread, moneyline, over/under

08:59 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, as of the morning of Oct. 31:

• Spread: Iowa by 2.5
• Over/under: 36.5
• Moneyline: Iowa -140, Wisconsin +115

Journal Sentinel predictions for Wisconsin vs Iowa game

08:44 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

Mark Stewart

Wisconsin should have the edge, right? Iowa’s run game is hurting with the loss of standout Kamari Moulton and the quarterback situation is far from stable. But we know better than to underestimate the Hawkeyes, who will respond to last week’s loss at Minnesota with a strong showing on Homecoming Weekend. The Badgers, however, are proving they have what it takes to win tough games. Look for another strong showing from the defense and just enough production from the offense and special teams to bring the Heartland Trophy back to Madison. Wisconsin 20, Iowa 16.

John Steppe

Iowa's unimpressive quarterback play and Kamari Moulton's injury put the Hawkeyes in a precarious position after losing to Minnesota. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has plenty of momentum after holding USC to negative rushing yards in a big win. This looks like the Badgers' best chance to take back the Heartland Trophy since 2021. But Kirk Ferentz’s teams have a history of bouncing back after tough outcomes, going 8-1 since 2024 in games immediately following a loss. UW also doesn't get much benefit of the doubt after Iowa's 2024-25 dominance in this rivalry. Iowa 20, Wisconsin 17

What time do the Wisconsin Badgers play today? Time, location, records

08:31 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

• Kickoff time: 11 a.m.
• Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City
• Records: Wisconsin is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play. Iowa is 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play.

How to listen to Wisconsin vs Iowa game

08:10 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

• Radio: FM-94.5 and AM-620 in Milwaukee; AM-1310 and FM-101.5 in Madison; other affiliates across Wisconsin
• SiriusXM satellite radio: SiriusXM Channel 257
• Commentators: Matt Lepay (play-by-play), Mark Tauscher (analyst) and Patrick Herb (sideline reporter)

How to watch Wisconsin vs Iowa game | TV, streaming info for Heartland Trophy rivalry

08:03 AM ET, October 31 2026, John Steppe

• TV: Fox
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial for new subscribers)
• Commentators: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), Jenny Taft (sideline reporter)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football vs Iowa score, live updates, highlights, how to watch