Iowa versus Wisconsin football is the epitomy of football in the Midwest. A ground-and-pound, physical run game and heated battles in the trenches define this rivalry and Midwestern football.
When the snowflakes start flying, Iowa and Wisconsin take to the gridiron to renew one of the oldest rivalries in college sports.
The Hawkeyes and Badgers first faced off in 1894, with Wisconsin dominating 44-0, the largest margin of victory in the rivalry.
Wisconsin dominated the early days of the rivalry, but the Hawkeyes took command in the late seventies to the mid-nineties, winning 18 games in a row from 1977-1996.
During Kirk Ferentz's tenure, the series has been almost even, with Iowa winning 11 and Wisconsin winning 12. Wisconsin leads the all-time series with a 49-47-2 record.
In 2004, the Heartland Trophy was born, and the two schools have played for the trophy every year since its inception.
The trophy is one of the youngest in college football, but the rivalry has been ranked as one of the best.
Let’s have a debate about college football's best rivalries.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 7, 2025
But in the process, hopefully we can all agree that the only thing worse than losing to a rival is not playing them.
✍️ @ScottDochtermanhttps://t.co/xE7Y84GRGG pic.twitter.com/dlVEBPnD8k
The Athletic's Scott Dochterman ranked the Iowa versus Wisconsin rivalry as the No. 22 best overall rivalry in college football.
The rivalry is steeped in tradition and has taken on new meaning since the addition of the 72-pound brass bull, also know as the Heartland Trophy.
After Wisconsin's early dominance in the rivalry, Iowa has closed the gap, including winning four of the last five matchups.
Last season, the Hawkeyes dominated the Badgers 42-10 at Kinnick Stadium, and kept the bull in Iowa City.
Iowa star running back Kaleb Johnson shredded the Badgers' defense, rushing for 135 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Quarterback Brendan Sullivan had 93 passing yards and one touchdown, and added 58 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground.
The Hawkeyes travel to Madison on Saturday, October 11 for game no. 99 in the series.