3 key observations from Iowa's Big Ten schedule in year two under Ben McCollum

As we get deeper into football season, that means college basketball is right around the corner!

The Hawkeyes had a solid first season with Ben McCollum in charge after he took over following Fran McCaffery's firing in March 2025. McCollum had only a few months to rebuild the entire program, including the coaching staff and the roster. He brought multiple players from Drake, including Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Bennett Stirtz. The Hawkeyes were inconsistent in Big Ten play, finishing 10-10 in conference play, and we now know how the conference schedule will play out this season.

Now in year two with McCollum, the expectations are much higher, and we now know Iowa's conference schedule, with some interesting things standing out.

Iowa starts and ends the season with two very tough opponents

Iowa started last season with a tough road matchup at No. 7 Michigan State, and the Spartans ran them out of the gym. The game was never really close, finishing 71-52 in favor of the Spartans, and it was a humbling moment for McCollum in his first Big Ten game. This season's first opponent is equally challenging and will be on the road once again. Iowa has one final tune-up against Prairie View A&M before hitting the road to West Lafayette to play Purdue.

Purdue had another strong season in 2025-2026, finishing fourth in the Big Ten with a 13-7 record (30-9 overall) and winning the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers will likely be highly ranked again this season, and it is a tall task for Iowa to go into West Lafayette and knock them off. Hopefully, Iowa catches them early and makes it interesting.

Iowa also ends the season with a tough road matchup against Illinois. Illinois knocked the Hawkeyes out of the NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight and looks even more formidable before next season. The Fighting Illini did work in the transfer portal, and with Michigan expected to take a step back after Dusty May joined the Dallas Mavericks, Illinois is poised for a top spot in the conference.

A quick away-home matchup against Nebraska will be a tough early test

Iowa got the better of Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament last season, ending their best season in program history. Former Hawkeye Pryce Sandfort was one of the best players in the country and is back for his second season with the Cornhuskers. Nebraska will be tough once again and will definitely be out for blood to avenge their two losses to Iowa last season.

The Hawkeyes will be more well-rounded this season, and they will have to be ready for two early games against the Cornhuskers, starting on the road. It will be a tough matchup not only because of the rivalry factor, but also because the program is coming off a road game in New Jersey against Rutgers four days before.

Three of Iowa's five games in the middle of January are on the road, and it could get out of hand quickly if the Hawkeyes aren't prepared. It would do wonders for Iowa's confidence to take one or both games against Nebraska, especially at home.

The schedule makers gave Iowa a tough road schedule this season

After starting the season at Purdue, the Hawkeyes have four straight home games, but the road schedule is very tough this season. Iowa has 20 Big Ten Conference games, split evenly between home and away, but the road games are significantly tougher. Iowa faces Purdue (Dec. 1), Rutgers (Jan. 12), Nebraska (Jan. 16), Ohio State (Jan. 26), USC (Feb. 3), UCLA (Feb. 6), Northwestern (Feb. 13), Michigan (Feb. 20), Wisconsin (Feb. 24), and Illinois (March 6) on the road this season.

Each of those games will be challenging, and even with Michigan expected to be down this year, a Hawkeye win isn't guaranteed. It could go south quickly if Iowa doesn't play well during their California road trip in early February, and back-to-back games against Wisconsin and Illinois to end the season are no picnic.

The schedulers didn't do Iowa any favors, and it will be a good test of whether the program has taken the next step.

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