If you woke up this morning and typed who does Iowa play in football today into your phone, I have some news that might be a bit of a bummer.
Honestly, the short answer is: nobody.
I know, I know. You probably saw "Iowa vs. Oregon" trending or saw a notification about a big game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight. But here is the catch—that’s the women’s basketball team. They are hosting No. 11 Oregon in a massive Big Ten clash. If you are looking for the Hawkeye football team, their helmets are already tucked away in the equipment room.
The 2025-2026 Iowa football season officially ended on December 31, 2025.
They wrapped things up in Tampa at the ReliaQuest Bowl, where they took down Vanderbilt 34-27. It was a classic Iowa finish—gritty, a little stressful toward the end, but they got the job done. Since then, the program has shifted into "offseason mode," which basically means recruiting, hitting the weight room, and watching the College Football Playoff from the couch like the rest of us.
Why Isn't Iowa Playing Today?
To understand why there’s no game today, January 15, 2026, you have to look at how the college football calendar has changed. We are currently in the gap between the Playoff Semifinals (which happened last week) and the National Championship.
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The title game featuring Indiana and Miami isn't until Monday, January 19. Unless you're one of those two teams, your season is done. For Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes, the focus has already turned to the 2026 cycle.
If you're feeling that "football withdrawal," you aren't alone. It’s that weird time of year where the weather in Iowa City is brutal, Kinnick Stadium is covered in snow, and we're all just waiting for the spring game.
A Quick Look Back: How the Season Ended
Iowa finished the 2025 regular season with some serious momentum. They went into Lincoln on Black Friday and absolutely dismantled Nebraska, winning 40-16. That win was huge. It secured their spot in a New Year's Eve bowl and gave fans a lot of hope for the future of the offense.
- Final Record: 9-4
- Last Game: Win vs. Vanderbilt (ReliaQuest Bowl)
- Key Moment: Drew Stevens kicking the Hawkeyes to victory in multiple tight Big Ten matchups.
Who Does Iowa Play Next? (The 2026 Schedule)
Since you can't watch them today, let's look at when you actually can see them back on the field. The 2026 schedule is already set, and it’s a bit of a gauntlet.
The Hawkeyes open the 2026 season at home on September 5, 2026, against Northern Illinois.
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But the game everyone is already circling is the following week. On September 12, the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series returns to Iowa City. Iowa State will be coming to Kinnick, and after the Cyclones took the trophy last year in a 16-13 nail-biter, the atmosphere is going to be electric.
The 2026 Home Slate
- September 5: Northern Illinois Huskies
- September 12: Iowa State Cyclones (Cy-Hawk)
- September 19: Northern Iowa Panthers
- TBA: Nebraska Cornhuskers
- TBA: Ohio State Buckeyes
- TBA: Purdue Boilermakers
- TBA: Wisconsin Badgers
Seeing Ohio State and Wisconsin on the home schedule in the same year is rare. It’s going to be an expensive year for tickets, but man, those home games are going to be legendary.
What Should Hawkeye Fans Watch Today?
Just because there isn't a football game doesn't mean there's nothing to do. If you have the "Who does Iowa play in football today" itch, you're likely just looking for some Hawkeye sports action.
You've actually picked a great day to be a fan.
Tonight, January 15, the No. 11 Iowa Women's Basketball team takes on Oregon at 8:00 PM CST. It's being broadcast on FS1. Even without Caitlin Clark, this program has stayed elite. They are currently 14-2 and undefeated in Big Ten play. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is still the loudest place in the state, and watching Jan Jensen lead this group has been one of the highlights of the winter.
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Also, keep an eye on the transfer portal. This is basically the "free agency" of college football. Kirk Ferentz and his staff are actively looking for pieces to bolster the roster for that 2026 run. We’ve already seen some movement with quarterback Mark Gronowski wrapping up his time, and the coaching staff is hunting for the next big playmaker.
Common Misconceptions About the January Schedule
I see people get confused about this every year. Sometimes fans think there are "consolation games" or NFL-style playoffs for every team.
In college football, once your Bowl game is over, you're out.
There are no more games until the following August or September. The only teams playing football in mid-January are the pros (NFL Wild Card and Divisional rounds) and the two finalists for the National Championship.
If you see a headline saying "Iowa Game Today," double-check the sport. Usually, it’s basketball or wrestling. Speaking of wrestling, the Hawkeyes are in the thick of their season right now, and if you haven't seen a meet at Carver lately, you are missing out on one of the most intense environments in sports.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
Since there's no game today, here is how you can stay prepared for when the 2026 season actually kicks off:
- Check your I-Club membership: If you want those Ohio State or Iowa State tickets, you'll need the priority points.
- Watch the FS1 broadcast tonight: Support the women's basketball team at 8:00 PM. They are carrying the torch for the university right now.
- Mark September 5 on your calendar: That’s the real answer to when the football wait ends.
- Follow the Transfer Portal: Keep tabs on 247Sports or the local Iowa beat writers like Chad Leistikow to see who the Hawkeyes are adding to the roster this month.
The wait for football is long, but being a Hawkeye fan is a year-round job. We’ll see you at Kinnick in September.