Mackenzie MeaneyDes Moines Register
Sept. 5, 2026, 5:05 a.m. CT
The Iowa football team kicks off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, hosting Northern Illinois University at 3:16 pm CT at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press poll and the US LBM coaches poll. They returned to the preseason rankings for the first time since 2024, when they were ranked 25th.
This will be the 11th meeting between Iowa and NIU, with the Hawkeyes leading the all-time series 9-1.
Iowa was 9-4 (6-3 in Big Ten) in 2025, its season ending with a 34-27 win over then-No. 14 Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. The Hawkeyes finished No. 17 in the coaches poll.
NIU finished 3-9 (2-6 in Mid Atlantic Conference) in 2025 and has moved to the Mountain West Conference this season.
Here is how to watch Iowa vs. Northern Illinois on Saturday:
What channel is Iowa vs Northern Illinois on?
- TV channel: Big Ten Network
- Streaming:Fubo
- Can’t watch the game? Mackenzie Meaney will provide live updates at HawkCentral.com.
Iowa vs NIU start time today
- Date: Sept. 5, 2026
- Time: 3:16 pm CT
Iowa vs. NIU prediction, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Sept. 3.
Prediction: Iowa 52, Northern Illinois 7 … Hecklinski and Brown both have strong days through the air, each throwing for a touchdown and for more than 125 yards as the quarterback uncertainty continues (in a positive way) into Cy-Hawk week. Read more of Columnist Chad Leistikow’s prediction here.
- Spread: Iowa +31.5
- Moneyline: +4000
- Over/under: 44.5
Iowa vs. NIU tickets
To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub.
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