The bye week could not have come at a better time for the Hawkeyes, as the squad has suffered multiple key injuries at key positions during the first five games of the season.
Starting quarterback Mark Gronowski and week two starting running back Terrell Washington Jr. were added to the injury report following the Week Five loss to Indiana, joining a handful of other players sidelined by injuries.
During the coordinators' press conference during the bye week, offensive coordinator Tim Lester could not provide an update on Gronowski, but did state that starting wide receiver Reece Vander Zee is "close" to a return.
After the bye week ended, it is back to business for the Hawkeyes as they travel to Madison, Wisconsin, this weekend for the annual battle for the Heartland Trophy against the Wisconsin Badgers.
Before the rivalry matchup against Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes released their Week Seven depth chart, which includes a few surprises.
Week 7 Depth Chart \\ at Wisconsin#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/4S7ibIVwUK
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) October 6, 2025
The biggest surprise on the depth chart is Mark Gronowski being listed as the starting quarterback. We have received no update on Gronowski's health ahead of this weekend's game, but if he is listed as the starter, there is a good chance he suits up this weekend.
Another big surprise is running backs Terrell Washington Jr. and Jaziun Patterson not being listed on the running back depth chart.
Instead, freshman Xavier Williams is listed as the backup in his return to the lineup after a two-week stint on the sideline with an injury, and freshman Nathan McNeil is listed as the No. 3 running back.
Wide receiver Seth Anderson is also listed as a starter, but he carried the same designation last week and never got into the game.
Wisconsin is having a down year and could be without its starting quarterback, but the Hawkeyes cannot take them lightly in a rivalry matchup in their home stadium.