Iowa to Visit Northwestern in Evanston Saturday
Iowa and Northwestern meet Saturday night in Evanston, Ill., both carrying 3-2 Big Ten records into the matchup.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
Iowa, 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play, visits Northwestern, also 6-2 and 3-2 in conference, on Saturday night in Evanston, Ill. Iowa center Cael Winter likely will miss the game with an injury.
Why it matters
The game pits two teams with identical records in a conference race, with Iowa coming off a 30-0 win over Wisconsin and Northwestern coming off a 34-26 loss to Oregon. The outcome will shape both programs' positioning in the Big Ten standings.
Iowa's Hank Brown passed for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-0 win over Wisconsin, while Northwestern's Aidan Chiles accounted for 374 yards of offense in the 34-26 loss to Oregon. Chiles carries a 68.8% career completion percentage this season, but the status of Winter's availability remains unconfirmed.
The players
Hank Brown
Iowa quarterback who leads the Hawkeyes' offense and passed for 222 yards and two touchdowns against Wisconsin.
Aidan Chiles
Northwestern quarterback who led the Wildcats' offense with 374 total yards and two total touchdowns against Oregon.
The details
Iowa defeated Wisconsin 30-0 last week for its third shutout of the season, with Cam Buffington recording a sack and eight tackles and Jacob Wallace an interception. Northwestern fell to Oregon 34-26 last Saturday despite Chiles' production.
Timeline
Saturday night: Iowa plays at Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.
Last Saturday: Northwestern lost 34-26 to Oregon.
Last week: Iowa defeated Wisconsin 30-0.
October 26, 2024: Iowa defeated Northwestern 40-14 in the previous meeting.
Season Trajectory
Both teams sit at 3-2 in Big Ten play, placing Saturday's game within a tight conference race. The result will affect each program's standing as the season moves toward its final stretch.
Iowa's Big Ten standing and Northwestern's conference position both depend on Saturday's result, with the loser falling to 3-3 in conference play. Fantasy managers should monitor Winter's status, as his absence would affect Iowa's offensive line.
The takeaway
A single game between evenly matched teams can swing conference standings quickly, making every Big Ten contest meaningful for playoff and bowl positioning.
Further reading
For more on the Big Ten and this matchup, browse the Football section.
