The Hawkeyes were finally starting to click on both sides of the football in their week four win against Rutgers.
After a slow start to the season, the offense finally started to find rhythm as starting quarterback Mark Gronowski went blow for blow with the Rutgers offense.
The defense struggled to stop Rutgers in the first half, but the offense showed up in a big way, putting up 21 points to match Rutgers' 21 points.
The offense added another 17 points in the second half, and the defense held Rutgers to seven points as the Hawkeyes picked up their first Big Ten win.
In week five against Indiana, the offense moved the ball effectively despite a first-possession interception by Gronowski, and the defense held the high-powered Indiana offense to only 20 points.
Iowa ultimately lost the game 20-15, but showed continued improvement.
The Hawkeyes had a bye in week six, allowing the squad to regroup and recharge after a busy first part of the season.
Iowa has had two weeks to prepare for the Wisconsin Badgers in the annual battle for the Heartland Trophy on Saturday, but they need to stay focused coming off a bye week against a struggling opponent.
Wisconsin is coming off three straight losses, including a 24-10 loss to No. 20 Michigan last weekend.
The Badgers could also be without starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., and they are considering starting third-string quarterback Hunter Simmons, as backup Danny O'Neill has been struggling.
Even with starting quarterback Mark Gronowski's status in question for Saturday's matchup, the Hawkeyes must avoid complacency and take care of business against a struggling Wisconsin squad.
The Badgers have been uncharacteristically bad defensively this season, but have had some success against the run (ranked No. 6 overall). They also do not force turnovers (T-No. 115 in the nation), and struggle to stop the pass.
Wisconsin has also been uncharacteristically bad at running the ball on offense, and has a revolving door at quarterback.
All the pieces are in place for a dominating Hawkeye victory, but if they are slow out of the gate offensively and let Wisconsin hang around, it is going to be a bad night in Madison.