Hawkeyes Host Northern Illinois in Season Opener at Kinnick Stadium
Iowa is a 31.5-point favorite, and several models give the Hawkeyes a 96.6% to 99% chance to beat Northern Illinois.
- On Saturday, September 5, 2026, the Iowa Hawkeyes host Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium in a college football Week 1 matchup. The game kicks off at 1:15 p.m. MST on Big Ten Network.
- Head coach Lester leads the Hawkeyes in his third season after Iowa finished 9-4 in 2025 with a 34-27 ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Vanderbilt. The program enters Week 1 with momentum and experience.
- Northern Illinois finished a 3-9 season with a 35-31 loss to Kent State and now operates under interim coach Rob Harley following Thomas Hammock's departure for the Seattle Seahawks. The Athletic projects NIU as the 131st-best FBS team out of 138.
- ESPN gives Iowa a 96.6% chance to win, while BettingDimers.com simulations project Northern Illinois at 1% victory probability and Iowa at 99%. Oddsmakers installed a 31.5-point spread favoring the Hawkeyes.
- Pundits project the Hawkeyes to finish around the eight-win mark in a challenging Big Ten schedule. Iowa hosts Iowa State on September 12 in its next non-conference contest.
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10 Articles
SEPT. 5 — vs. Northern Illinois, 3:16 p.m.
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Hawkeyes host Northern Illinois in season opener at Kinnick Stadium
Iowa will open the season at home Saturday against Northern Illinois. The Hawkeyes are coming off a 9-4 season and will be breaking in a new starting quarterback in Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. Northern Illinois is beginning its first…
Iowa football season openers usually have one thing in common - Hawk Fanatic
By Pat Harty IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa and Northern Illinois will meet for the 11th time in football in Saturday’s season opener at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa leads the all-time series 9-1, the lone loss coming in 2013 by a score of 30-27 at Kinnick Stadium. But that was a really good Northern Illinois team, […] The post Iowa football season openers usually have one thing in commonKirk Ferentz is 24-3 in season openers as Iowa head coach appeared first …
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