It is not often a football game in November sells out in July. However, Big Ten football isn’t regular football. Iowa versus Wisconsin on November 12th has already sold out.
The Badgers will be visiting a hostile environment at Kinnick Stadium when they play conference rival, the Hawkeyes. Iowa faithful is making sure that the outcome of this matchup will differ from 2021 when Wisconsin beat Iowa 27-7.
Iowa did get the last laugh as they won the Big Ten West and secured a spot in the Big Ten championship. However, in college football, every year is bigger than the previous, and Iowa seems to already prepare for the fight for the Big Ten West.
Two Other Games Sold Out in Kinnick Stadium
Iowa versus Wisconsin is not the only game currently sold out at Kinnick Stadium. The battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy, Iowa State versus Iowa, is already sold out alongside a matchup versus Michigan.
Iowa Hawkeyes Disappointing 2021 Season
Iowa is looking to improve on a season where they climbed to the highest of highs but also seemed to fall to surprising lows. In 2021, the Hawkeyes started off the season 6-0, being ranked as high as No. 2 in the country. This ranking was their highest since 1985.
However, an upset loss to Purdue and a porous offense seemed to deflate their promising season. Another loss previously mentioned versus Wisconsin was the knockout punch to their playoff aspirations. Despite finishing the season with four straight wins, Iowa would get blown out by Michigan in the Big Ten Championship, 42-3. This loss would be followed by a loss to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl.
If Iowa wants to return to the top of the college football rankings, home-field advantage versus tough opponents will be even more important. They seem to have it covered, with three games already sold out before the season even started.
Hawkeyes fans are ready. Let the games begin.