Ranking the Wisconsin Badgers’ 2019 opponents
4. Nov. 9 vs. Iowa
Like Michigan State, the Hawkeyes had a good defense in 2018 (17.8 points, 293.6 yards per game). They should be good again, although their top-four tacklers, including defensive back Amani Hooker, are gone. Unlike the Spartans, Iowa had a decent offense as well (31.2 points per game). Wisconsin native Nate Stanley (59.3%, 2,852 yards, 26 TDs) returns at quarterback, but he’s never beaten the Badgers, who have won three straight in the series. Iowa has a good, if unspectacular, mix at running back, but Stanley’s top-two receivers – tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant – are both in the NFL. This should be a tight, grind-it out game with its fair share of plus-territory punts.
