The Iowa Hawkeyes are heading into another major road test with something to prove.
No. 20 Iowa will travel to Seattle on Friday night to take on Washington at Husky Stadium, with both teams desperate to change the direction of their seasons. Iowa enters the matchup at 4–1 after suffering its first defeat, while Washington sits at 3–2 following two consecutive losses.
For the Hawkeyes, the biggest challenge may not simply be beating Washington. It will be showing how they respond after a disappointing performance against one of the nation’s best teams.
Iowa’s undefeated start came crashing down last weekend when No. 5 Ohio State handed the Hawkeyes a 31–14 defeat. Iowa struggled to find consistency offensively and spent much of the game unable to generate the kind of momentum that had carried it through the opening weeks.
Before that setback, however, the Hawkeyes had put together an impressive stretch.
They opened the season with a dominant 40–0 win over Northern Illinois, followed it with a hard-fought 16–13 victory over Iowa State, then overwhelmed Northern Iowa 55–0. Iowa’s biggest statement came in Ann Arbor, where the Hawkeyes edged Michigan 20–19 in a tense road battle.
That Michigan victory showed that Iowa can handle pressure away from home.
Seattle will provide another test of that ability.
Washington also has plenty to play for. The Huskies began the season with three straight wins before suffering narrow defeats against Minnesota and USC. Minnesota escaped with a 27–24 victory, while USC defeated Washington 25–21 last Saturday.
That means both teams enter Friday night looking for a much-needed response.
For Iowa, defense could once again be the foundation.
The Hawkeyes have already demonstrated their ability to make opposing offenses uncomfortable. The two shutouts earlier in the season highlighted their defensive strength, while the narrow win over Michigan showed that Iowa can win games without producing an overwhelming offensive performance.
That formula could be useful in Seattle.
Iowa cannot afford to give Washington easy opportunities or allow the Huskies to consistently create explosive plays. Getting off the field on third down and putting pressure on the quarterback could help the Hawkeyes control the game.
But the offense has to give the defense enough support.
Scoring only 14 points against Ohio State exposed some issues that need to be corrected quickly. Iowa will need longer possessions, better third-down execution and, above all, protection of the football.
The running game could also become a major factor.
If Iowa establishes the ground attack early, it can control the clock, keep Washington’s offense on the sideline and take some of the energy out of the home crowd. The longer Iowa stays balanced offensively, the more difficult it becomes for Washington to dictate the tempo.
The opening quarter could therefore be extremely important.
The Hawkeyes and Huskies also have a history that adds another layer to Friday’s matchup. The two programs have met seven times, with Iowa holding a 4–3 edge. Their most recent meeting came in 2024, when Iowa defeated Washington 40–16 at Kinnick Stadium.
This time, everything changes.
Washington gets the benefit of playing in Seattle, while Iowa faces the challenge of traveling across the country after a bruising loss. The atmosphere at Husky Stadium should be intense from the opening kickoff.
For Iowa, Friday represents a chance to prove that the Ohio State defeat was simply one bad night rather than the beginning of a larger problem.
Washington has an opportunity of its own. Beating a ranked Big Ten opponent at home would immediately give the Huskies something positive to build on after consecutive close losses.
The margin could be extremely small.
Field position, turnovers, third-down conversions and quarterback play may ultimately decide which team survives.
Iowa vs. Washington
– Friday, October 9, 2026
– 9:00 PM ET
– Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington
– No. 20 Iowa vs. Washington
– FOX or FS1
– FOX One
Iowa now has another difficult road assignment, but also another opportunity.
After losing its perfect record, the Hawkeyes have a chance to respond under the lights in Seattle.
And by the end of Friday night, everyone will know whether Iowa has truly bounced back.
