Hawk Central Hour

Our 2026 Iowa football season preview episode

Hawk Central Hour

Show Notes

The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman outline their thinking of the 2026 Iowa football season and provide rationale for their record predictions, along with where they might be overhyping or underselling the Hawkeyes.

More from Hawk Central Hour

Oct 21, 2026

The second half of the Iowa football season is here, and it starts with the first of three trophy games in the final 35 days: Oct. 24 at Minnesota for the Floyd of Rosedale bronze pig. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman break down the week's developments, including Jeremy Hecklinski being QB1, and dive into Five Big Questions to preview this very important matchup.

Oct 15, 2026

Iowa football coordinators met with the media on Tuesday to help take stock of the Hawkeyes' impressive 5-1 start. With eyes on the second half of the season, the Register's Tyler Tachman and Chad Leistikow evaluate where things stand with each position group. And of course, we start with the latest quarterback dilemma facing Tim Lester and Kirk Ferentz. In the final portion of the show, Chad breaks down the key stuff he heard at Iowa women's basketball media day and outlines expectations for Jan Jensen's third season.

Oct 12, 2026

Upon completing Iowa men's basketball media day on Oct. 12, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman recap what they've learned with the beginning of the season just over three weeks away. The Hawkeyes are certainly looking a lot different than their Elite Eight team from a year ago without Bennett Stirtz. We break down the possibilities for this team with fresh interviews with almost every player on the roster.

Oct 10, 2026

After Iowa's 41-24 win over Washington, the Hawkeyes reach the halfway mark of the season 5-1. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman jump right into the running game and the defensive plan to contain Demond Williams and of course talk Jeremy Hecklinski and your 3-word headlines.

Oct 7, 2026

The Hawkeyes look to break their trend of tumbling in Pacific time zone games with a Friday-night matchup in Seattle against a Washington team desperate for its first Big Ten win. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman break down the developing story of Jeremy Hecklinski being the possible starting quarterback, the stakes of the game and our usual "Five Big Questions" to break down the matchup.

See all episodes →