
Iowa football Big Ten home opener among ESPN's top conference games
While the beginning of the season features many high-profile matchups in both conference play and non-conference action, ESPN has listed Iowa's Sept. 27 game against Indiana from Kinnick Stadium as one of its top matchups.
Indiana is fresh off one of their most successful seasons in program history in 2024, where the Hoosiers finished with an overall record of 11-2, an 8-2 conference record, and qualified for the program's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in head coach Curt Cignetti's first season.
While ESPN did not provide much of an explanation as to why they chose the Sept. 27 game against the Hoosiers over the other impactful matchups on the Hawkeyes' slate, the clash between both former Big Ten West division foes will be Iowa's first significant challenge of the season and be a precursor for their ability to compete against the conference's top programs later on.
The article also took a deep dive into each Big Ten program's outlook for the upcoming season, identifying Iowa's need to win close games with its consistently stingy defense, as the strength of its newly improved offense is still unknown.
With six games projected within one score and visits from Penn State and Oregon (you know Iowa will scare at least one of them), close games will make the difference between potential CFP contention and finishing 7-5. But it's almost comforting knowing exactly what the Hawkeyes are going to look like regardless. - Bill Connelly, ESPN
The Hawkeyes open their 2025-26 campaign on Aug. 30, when FCS-level UAlbany visits Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FS1.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
USC's Lincoln Riley feeling 'refreshed' as pressure mounts to win in Year 4
While the rest of the college football world spent the summer whipped into a frenzy, swept up by the specter of revenue sharing or congressional intervention or one of the many other landscape-altering changes looming over the sport, Lincoln Riley was able to actually step away and take a breath. In four years as USC's coach, Riley hasn't had many chances to really unplug. There was the sprint ahead of his first season, and the heavy portal push ahead of his second. The third came with a new conference, new defense, new expectations, new pressure. The fourth, by comparison, is starting on a more relaxed note than Riley is used to. There were no phone calls taking up half a day of his family vacation. His fly fishing went mostly unbothered. He even golfed at Pebble Beach in May. Read more: Lincoln Riley 'absolutely' wants to keep USC-Notre Dame game on schedule 'I'd say I'm feeling as refreshed and recharged as I've been in a long time,' Riley said Thursday during Big Ten media days. Never mind that the pressure for Riley to win at USC has perhaps never been so high, coming off a 7-6 campaign in which the Trojans needed a comeback bowl win to scrape past .500. The path to winning has arguably never been so uncertain, either, with the advent of revenue sharing completely upending how championship rosters are constructed. In spite of that backdrop, this past summer still felt less daunting to Riley than the rest. He says he didn't feel the offseason chaos that some of colleagues have described in the wake of the House settlement. Some of that added calm he credits to Chad Bowden, USC's new general manager, and his handpicked front office, who have taken personnel matters largely off Riley's plate. Immediately laying claim to the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2026 hasn't hurt in building that trust, either. But it's more than that, according to Riley. 'There are less big fixes going on right now, you know?' he said. 'It's like you've got the house built, and it's kind of all about the finishes now. You're not trying to put up a wall or anything like that.' Whether USC is actually that close to being a finished product is up for debate. The Trojans' win total has declined in each of Riley's first three seasons, during which his record is worse than that of his predecessor, Clay Helton. Now the Trojans enter his fourth with a raw, unproven commodity at quarterback, a threadbare linebacker room, and an inexperienced offensive line that could already be down a projected starter. There's also the matter of their fourth-quarter issues last season, which saw the Trojans inexplicably cough up leads in five of their six losses. But Riley looks at it differently. 'It's the first time where we had an opportunity at the end of the game to win every single game that we played,' he said. 'The really good teams separate in a lot of their games, and they win the close games they end up in. That's typically how it happens, and that's what we've got to become. And so the way to do it, every part of your program has to be pretty strong. "We've graduated from being way behind in this area, and being pretty decent in this area to, like, every right now is either good or pretty darn good. Now it's just about taking those small steps in all those areas to, I guess, hypothetically push you over the hump.' The biggest leap in that regard could once again be on defense, where USC went from one of the worst units in the nation in 2023 (121st in scoring defense) to respectable (56th) under defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn. That was no small feat, considering where they came from. And the Trojans have added considerable talent to its defense since. The front seven should benefit greatly from the return of linebacker Eric Gentry and defensive end Anthony Lucas from injury. And on the interior, USC brought in two massive transfers on the interior, as well as a five-star freshman. 'I think the depth, the talent level, and the size of the defensive line, I mean, there's honestly really no comparison to this time 12 months ago,' Riley said. But the Trojans' path will inevitably, at some point, come down to their quarterback. Riley reiterated his confidence in Jayden Maiava as the Trojans' starter, even as he once again heaped praise on five-star freshman Husan Longstreet. Left tackle Elijah Paige said Thursday that he has seen a major change in Maiava since he entered the offseason as the presumptive starter. Read more: USC athletics eliminates a dozen jobs as it manages new revenue sharing expenses 'He's taken a complete 180,' Paige said of USC's quarterback. "[In the spring,] he commanded the offense, and that's what this team needs.' Of course, everyone is feeling optimistic this time of year, with more than a month still remaining before USC kicks off against Missouri State. But Riley isn't the only one who feels those finishing touches underway. 'We've gone and gotten some of the very best people in the business,' Riley said. 'They're not going to attach themselves to something where they don't see the progress. 'And you do not get a recruiting class like this unless there's a crazy amount of momentum within the program. Like, I don't care what else you have. If you don't have momentum, you do not get a class like we have.' Sign up for more USC news with Times of Troy. In your inbox every Monday morning. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.


Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
USC's Lincoln Riley feeling ‘refreshed' as pressure mounts to win in Year 4
LAS VEGAS — While the rest of the college football world spent the summer whipped into a frenzy, swept up by the specter of revenue sharing or congressional intervention or one of the many other landscape-altering changes looming over the sport, Lincoln Riley was able to actually step away and take a breath. In four years as USC's coach, Riley hasn't had many chances to really unplug. There was the sprint ahead of his first season, and the heavy portal push ahead of his second. The third came with a new conference, new defense, new expectations, new pressure. The fourth, by comparison, is starting on a more relaxed note than Riley is used to. There were no phone calls taking up half a day of his family vacation. His fly fishing went mostly unbothered. He even golfed at Pebble Beach in May. 'I'd say I'm feeling as refreshed and recharged as I've been in a long time,' Riley said Thursday during Big Ten media days. Never mind that the pressure for Riley to win at USC has perhaps never been so high, coming off a 7-6 campaign in which the Trojans needed a comeback bowl win to scrape past .500. The path to winning has arguably never been so uncertain, either, with the advent of revenue sharing completely upending how championship rosters are constructed. In spite of that backdrop, this past summer still felt less daunting to Riley than the rest. He says he didn't feel the offseason chaos that some of colleagues have described in the wake of the House settlement. Some of that added calm he credits to Chad Bowden, USC's new general manager, and his handpicked front office, who have taken personnel matters largely off Riley's plate. Immediately laying claim to the nation's No. 1 recruiting class for 2026 hasn't hurt in building that trust, either. But it's more than that, according to Riley. 'There are less big fixes going on right now, you know?' he said. 'It's like you've got the house built, and it's kind of all about the finishes now. You're not trying to put up a wall or anything like that.' Whether USC is actually that close to being a finished product is up for debate. The Trojans' win total has declined in each of Riley's first three seasons, during which his record is worse than that of his predecessor, Clay Helton. Now the Trojans enter his fourth with a raw, unproven commodity at quarterback, a threadbare linebacker room, and an inexperienced offensive line that could already be down a projected starter. There's also the matter of their fourth-quarter issues last season, which saw the Trojans inexplicably cough up leads in five of their six losses. But Riley looks at it differently. 'It's the first time where we had an opportunity at the end of the game to win every single game that we played,' he said. 'The really good teams separate in a lot of their games, and they win the close games they end up in. That's typically how it happens, and that's what we've got to become. And so the way to do it, every part of your program has to be pretty strong. 'We've graduated from being way behind in this area, and being pretty decent in this area to, like, every right now is either good or pretty darn good. Now it's just about taking those small steps in all those areas to, I guess, hypothetically push you over the hump.' The biggest leap in that regard could once again be on defense, where USC went from one of the worst units in the nation in 2023 (121st in scoring defense) to respectable (56th) under defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn. That was no small feat, considering where they came from. And the Trojans have added considerable talent to its defense since. The front seven should benefit greatly from the return of linebacker Eric Gentry and defensive end Anthony Lucas from injury. And on the interior, USC brought in two massive transfers on the interior, as well as a five-star freshman. 'I think the depth, the talent level, and the size of the defensive line, I mean, there's honestly really no comparison to this time 12 months ago,' Riley said. But the Trojans' path will inevitably, at some point, come down to their quarterback. Riley reiterated his confidence in Jayden Maiava as the Trojans' starter, even as he once again heaped praise on five-star freshman Husan Longstreet. Left tackle Elijah Paige said Thursday that he has seen a major change in Maiava since he entered the offseason as the presumptive starter. 'He's taken a complete 180,' Paige said of USC's quarterback. '[In the spring,] he commanded the offense, and that's what this team needs.' Of course, everyone is feeling optimistic this time of year, with more than a month still remaining before USC kicks off against Missouri State. But Riley isn't the only one who feels those finishing touches underway. 'We've gone and gotten some of the very best people in the business,' Riley said. 'They're not going to attach themselves to something where they don't see the progress. 'And you do not get a recruiting class like this unless there's a crazy amount of momentum within the program. Like, I don't care what else you have. If you don't have momentum, you do not get a class like we have.'


CNET
4 hours ago
- CNET
F1: How to Watch and Stream the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix
With just eight points separating the McLaren duo at the top of the Drivers Championship, this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix looks set to provide a pivotal moment in the battle for the 2025 F1 title. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the race as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if it's not available where you are. Back-to-back wins for Lando Norris at the Red Bull Ring and at Silverstone have whittled down Oscar Piastri's lead at the top of the Drivers' Championship to single digits, with the momentum now firmly resting with Norris coming into this weekend's action at Belgium's Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps racetrack. Famously regarded by the late F1 legend Ayrton Senna as his favorite circuit, Spa runs 7km long, making it the longest track on the calendar. With its 19 corners and dramatic elevation changes, it's one of the most thrilling tracks for spectators and drivers alike. The Belgian GP takes place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot on Sunday, July 27, at 3 p.m. CEST local time in Belgium. Starting time in the US and Canada is 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT). In the UK it's 2 p.m. BST. Australian viewers will be looking at an 11 p.m. AEST start. The entire race weekend, including practice sessions and qualifying, will be shown in the US on ESPN's family of TV and streaming networks. Folks who want to follow the whole race weekend will need access to the ABC and ESPN news channels on cable or live TV streaming services, or the ESPN Plus streaming service. We've broken down everything you need to know, including how to use a VPN to stream the race, and all the other F1 races this season. Lewis Hamilton won last season's Belgian Grand Prix after his then-Mercedes teammate George Russell was disqualified for having an underweight car. Getty Images Livestream the Belgian GP in the US Every Formula One race during the 2025 season will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. All practice and qualifying sessions and all F1 Sprint events will also be broadcast. This race will be broadcast on ESPN. Selected races will also stream on ESPN Plus, featuring two alternate streams for all races (Driver Tracker and mixed onboard cameras). James Martin/CNET ESPN Plus Carries F1 races in the US ESPN's standalone streaming service is great for casual fans of F1 and is a must-have accessory for fanatics. It costs $12 a month or $120 a year. If you're an F1 fan who's also looking to get your Disney fix, the Disney trio bundle (Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus) might end up being an even better buy. It's great for fans who love catching the parts of the race weekend that typically air on ESPN2 or ESPNews, and also want the latest Marvel movies or Star Wars shows. If you're a diehard fan of motorsports and Formula Series racing, ESPN Plus might not be for you, given that it rarely covers F2, F3 or Porsche Supercar racing. That's why ESPN Plus is ideal for casual fans who enjoy catching a race every once in a while or fans who don't want or need all of the extra bells and whistles of F1 TV but want to beef up their coverage options. Read our full review of ESPN Plus. See at ESPN Plus How to watch the Belgian GP online from anywhere with a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with the Formula One season while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds, and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN usage to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN usage is crucial. James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at Expressvpn How to livestream the Belgian GP in the UK for free F1 is shown in the UK on Sky Sports and Channel 4. Sky Sports airs the races, practice rounds and qualifying, while free-to-air Channel 4 offers highlights that broadcast after the day's action. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the race via its app, but cord-cutters can watch Sky TV with unlimited Sky Sports on a Now TV membership. Sky Sports Sky Sports and Now TV F1 streaming in the UK Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for £15, or sign up to a monthly plan from £35 per month right now. See at Sky Livestream the Belgian GP in Canada F1 fans can watch every GP this season, including the Belgian GP, on TSN and its streaming service, TSN Plus. Existing TSN cable subscribers can also watch at no extra charge using the details of their TV provider. TSN TSN Plus Carries F1 in Canada TSN Plus is a direct-streaming service that costs CA$8 a month and also offers coverage of PGA Tour Live golf, NFL games, F1, NASCAR and the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. See at TSN Livestream the Belgian GP in Australia Grand Prix races can be watched down under on Fox Sports via Foxtel. If you're not a Fox subscriber, your best option is to sign up for the streaming service Kayo Sports. Kayo Sports Kayo Sports Watch F1 in Australia for AU$25 A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$25 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$35 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices. The service gives you access to a wide range of sports, including F1, NRL, NFL, NHL and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts. Better still, if you're a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial. See at Kayo Sports When, where and what time are the races? Races are usually held on Sundays and are typically spaced two weeks apart. Here's the entire schedule. 2025 F1 schedule Date Grand Prix Circuit Start time (ET) March 16 Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Circuit 12 a.m. March 23 Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit 3 a.m. April 6 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course 1 a.m. April 13 Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit 11 a.m. April 20 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah Corniche Circuit 1 p.m. May 4 Miami Grand Prix Miami International Autodrome 4 p.m. May 18 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Imola Circuit 9 a.m. May 25 Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco 9 a.m. June 1 Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 9 a.m. June 15 Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 2 p.m. June 29 Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring 9 a.m. July 6 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit 10 a.m. July 27 Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 9 a.m. Aug. 3 Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring 9 a.m. Aug. 31 Dutch Grand Prix Circuit Zandvoort 9 a.m. Sept. 7 Italian Grand Prix Monza Circuit 9 a.m. Sept. 21 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku City Circuit 7 a.m. Oct. 5 Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Street Circuit 8 a.m. Oct. 19 United States Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas 3 p.m. Oct. 26 Mexico City Grand Prix Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez 4 p.m. Nov. 9 São Paulo Grand Prix Interlagos Circuit 12 p.m. Nov. 22 Las Vegas Grand Prix Las Vegas Strip Circuit 11 p.m. Nov. 30 Qatar Grand Prix Lusail International Circuit 11 a.m. Dec. 7 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit 8 a.m. Quick tips for streaming the Belgian GP using a VPN