Next week's Hawkeye matchup at Camp Randall is worth more than just another notch in the win column for this year. When we look at the history of the Iowa-Wisconsin rivalry, Iowa actually could make some major dents with another victory under their belt.
In recent history, the Hawks have won three straight over the Badgers by a combined 55 points, which shows these aren't just wins by a last-minute field goal. A fourth win in a row would be their longest streak since the mid-2000s, when Iowa also won four straight.
For some context, this rivalry is also one of the oldest for the school, dating back to a matchup in 1894 when the Hawks got crushed 44-0. Next Saturday's matchup will be the 99th time the two schools have faced off.
Overall, the Badgers also lead the Hawkeyes in the series, 49-47-2, with the two ties coming in 1967 and 1984.
Another win gets us just that much closer to tying the overall rivalry record. Then there's the Heartland Trophy overall record to consider.
First introduced in 2004, the brass bull came home to Iowa City in the first matchup. Since then, it has been with Hawkeye nation nine times and been stuck in Madison 10 times.
Another win will not just keep the bull in Iowa City for another year; it will tie the overall record and then make us just one win away from having a winning record since the Heartland Trophy was established.
As for the ramifications for this year, a win next Saturday will help boost the morale of the Hawks, who are still reeling from their home loss to Indiana last Saturday.
Going 2-1 in conference play at this early stage also will help, especially with big matchups against Oregon and Penn State on the horizon.
This could also become a big chance for backup quarterback Hank Brown, who had to finish the Hoosier game after Mark Gronowski was not able to return due to injury. There is no official word yet on the status of Gronowski or if he is expected to play in Camp Randall.
A loss for Iowa would drop them to 1-2 in conference play, 3-3 overall, and would most certainly dampen the spirits of the Hawkeye faithful for the rest of the year. If this Badgers team is in as rough shape as I suspect, this will go down as a really bad loss, even if it is on the road.
On the opposite side, Badgers head coach Luke Fickell felt the heat after the week four loss to Maryland, officially giving him a losing record as head coach in Madison at 14-15.
They are in Ann Arbor this weekend to face Michigan, and with no update on Quarterback Billy Edwards' availability, there is a slim chance they come away with the upset win.
If Iowa goes into Madison on October 11th and comes away with a road win, and the 10th overall win of the Heartland Trophy, that will be another reason for the Wisconsin faithful to look into letting Fickell go.
Per his contract in 2023, the buyout would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $25 million if Fickell were let go at the end of the 2025 season.
If the Badgers do pull out the victory, it will be a massive sigh of relief for the fanbase. Fickell's record will not just return to .500, but they could find some new momentum leading into their next matchup at Ohio State.