The IowaâÂÂWisconsin football rivalry, also known as the Battle for the Heartland, is an American college football rivalry between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Wisconsin Badgers. Both schools have competed as members of the Big Ten Conference since 1900 (Wisconsin since 1896).
The Heartland Trophy is a brass bull that is presented to the winner of the annual game. Although the rivalry is over 100 years old, the trophy is relatively new. It was first presented in 2004 to Iowa, when they defeated Wisconsin 30âÂÂ7 to claim a share of the conference title. In 2005, Iowa spoiled the last home game for Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez, defeating the Badgers at a rain-soaked Camp Randall Stadium 20âÂÂ10. The Badgers took possession of the trophy for the first time in 2006, defeating Iowa 24âÂÂ21 in a back-and-forth affair. Wisconsin evened the Heartland Trophy series in 2007, winning another closely contested game 17âÂÂ13, under the lights at Camp Randall. In 2008, Iowa took the lead in the trophy series with a lopsided 38âÂÂ16 victory. The Hawkeyes' second-half performance was key again in 2009, as they won 20âÂÂ10 in Madison. The 2010 game was decided in the final minute, as the Badgers scored a late touchdown for a 31âÂÂ30 victory at Kinnick Stadium. As of the 2024 season, Wisconsin leads the trophy series 10âÂÂ9.
Due to Big Ten expansion, Wisconsin and Iowa were placed in separate divisions, ostensibly ending the annual rivalry after the 2010 season. The annual game resumed, however, during the 2014 season, when a new round of expansion (adding Maryland and Rutgers to the Big Ten), placed Wisconsin and Iowa together in the Big Ten West division. With the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington to the conference in 2024, divisions were removed, ending the rivalry as a part of the Big Ten West. However, the rivalry was deemed 'protected' by the Big Ten in 2023, along with 11 other protected Big Ten rivalries that were declared after the latest conference expansion. This ensures the rivalry will continue annually.