Iowa and Iowa State Face Tough Tests Against Washington and BYU

Defensive strength will be central to Iowa and Iowa State's challenges in their respective college football matchups on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, as Iowa visits Washington in Seattle and Iowa State travels to Provo to face unbeaten BYU. According to SportsGrid, Iowa's defense could limit Washington's scoring, while BYU's run defense presents a significant obstacle for the Cyclones.

Iowa enters its matchup after losing to Ohio State and is allowing just 12.6 points per game, according to SportsGrid. Washington is seeking its first Big Ten victory and has scored fewer than 25 points in all but one game this season, despite facing favorable opponents early in the schedule.

Iowa State faces a different challenge against BYU, which has allowed an average of just 75 rushing yards per game. The Cougars are also unbeaten and enter the matchup after a defensive contest against TCU, in which they scored 17 points.

SportsGrid highlighted Iowa running back Aiden Flora's performance against West Virginia but questioned whether Iowa State could produce another high-scoring effort against BYU's defense. The Cougars must also adjust to the absence of LJ Martin, a factor the outlet identified as a potential limitation for their offense.

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has demonstrated the ability to make plays with his legs, according to SportsGrid. However, the outlet noted that Washington has struggled to produce consistent scoring, while Iowa's defense could make sustained offensive drives difficult.

Iowa's offensive limitations remain a concern despite its defensive numbers. SportsGrid pointed to the Hawkeyes' difficulty in generating enough offense to secure a win outright, while noting that Washington has also struggled to separate itself from opponents on the scoreboard.

For Iowa State, BYU's ability to restrict opposing rushing attacks could force the Cyclones to find alternative ways to move the ball. The Cougars' recent 17-point performance against TCU also highlighted their reliance on defensive play in a game where offensive production was limited.