1.Run the football
Even if Mark Gronowski plays this weekend, the Hawkeyes will likely attempt a run-heavy game plan against the Badgers. Iowa’s rushing attack has been inconsistent this season, totaling 160 yards at Rutgers compared to just 104 yards in its loss to No. 11 Indiana.
Injuries have played a large role in causing those inconsistencies. Kamari Moulton, Jaziun Patterson, and Xavier Williams have all missed time due to injury, with Moulton just returning three weeks ago from his injury in the season-opener against Albany. Wisconsin has a stingy defense, but it had trouble stopping a powerful Michigan rushing attack, yielding 175 yards on an average of 5.1 yards per carry.
A successful run game will give the Hawkeyes a huge advantage and will help take the load off the passing game.
2. A simple game plan
To the surprise of many fans, Gronowski was listed as QB1 on the depth chart. The senior quarterback suffered a lower leg injury in the fourth quarter of Iowa’s loss to Indiana and didn’t return, causing plenty of concern. Offensive coordinator Tim Lester called the status of the injury “cloudy” at his bye week press conference last week, but it appears the week off paved the way for Gronowski’s return.
Even if Gronowski plays or not, Lester will likely orchestrate a simple game plan for his quarterback, which probably will feature a lot of short, high-percentage passes and no designed quarterback runs.
3. Vander Zee’s debut?
Second-year wide receiver Reece Vander Zee suffered a foot injury just days before Iowa’s season-opener, but he could be on track to see his first action of the season against the Badgers. Kirk Ferentz was hopeful he could return before the bye, but was optimistic Vander Zee would make the return after the off week.
Ferentz echoed those hopes at his weekly press conference on Tuesday.
This week, he started to work back a little bit,” Ferentz said. “So his volume of work right now, he’s missed a lot of meaningful snaps, but at least we can start to work them in. He looked fine today.”
Vander Zee will likely see a small amount of snaps should he play on Saturday, but adding a 6-foot-4 wideout could help the Hawkeyes in red zone passing situations.
4. Turnover battle
Forcing turnovers has been a staple for defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s defenses in Iowa City, but that hasn’t been the case in 2025. The Hawkeyes have forced just three turnovers this season, but they may have found a rhythm against an explosive Indiana offense last time out. Iowa managed to intercept Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the fourth quarter (Mendoza’s only pick this year), and were close to gaining several other takeaways, forcing two fumbles that Indiana recovered.
The Hawkeyes have a chance to turn those maybes into turnovers in Madison this weekend. Wisconsin has struggled to find a consistent presence at quarterback after Billy Edwards Jr. went down with an injury in the season-opener. San Diego State transfer Danny O’ Neil has attempted to fill the void, but the Badgers have managed just 18.6 points per game this year.
Wisconsin’s faulty quarterback situation naturally presents a strong opportunity for Iowa’s secondary to make some big plays, but the Hawkeyes’ stout defensive line of Aaron Graves, Ethan Hurkett, and Max Llewellyn could wreak havoc on the Badgers.
5. Desperate play calling from the Badgers
Luke Fickell was one of the hottest coaching names in the country when he arrived in Madison, but the once-promising marriage has turned into a disaster. Wisconsin’s 23-year bowl game streak came to a close last year, and the Badgers’ are already 2-3 against one of the nation’s toughest schedules in 2025.
Believe it or not, Iowa is probably Wisconsin’s best opportunity for a win this season, so expect Fickell and company to pull out all of the strings to try and beat their rival. A fake punt could even be in play, but Kirk Ferentz likely still has the infamous Badgers’ fake punt of 2010 on his mind.
The Hawkeyes will get Wisconsin’s best shot on Saturday.