The Iowa Hawkeyes have made a change to their 2025 non-conference football schedule, FBSchedules.com has learned.
Iowa was previously scheduled to open the 2025 season against the Florida Atlantic Owls on Aug. 30 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. According to a copy of an amendment to the contract obtained by FBSchedules.com via a public records request, the game has been rescheduled for Aug. 31, 2030.
Per the original contract, Iowa agreed to pay Florida Atlantic a $1.6 million guarantee for the game in 2025. According to the terms of the amendment, Iowa will now pay Florida Atlantic $650,000 by Feb. 1, 2026 and $1.4 million by Feb. 1, 2031. The increased amount is likely due to rescheduling the contest just over a year before it was set to be played (the amendment was drawn up in June by not finalized until Sept. 25).
To replace the Florida Atlantic game, Iowa has added a home contest against the UAlbany Great Danes on Aug. 30, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium. UAlbany will receive a $500,00 guarantee for playing the game, according to the copy of the contract.
UAlbany is a member of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The Great Danes are 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference action so far this season.
With the changes, Iowa has now completed its schedule for the 2025 season. After opening the season against UAlbany, the Hawkeyes will travel to take on the in-state rival Iowa State Cyclones on Sept. 6 before wrapping up its non-conference slate the following week at home against the UMass Minutemen on Sept. 13.
In Big Ten action in 2025, Iowa will host Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, and Penn State and will visit Nebraska, Rutgers, USC, and Wisconsin.
Florida Atlantic now needs a fourth non-conference opponent for next season, and will likely fill that slot with an FCS team. The Owls are scheduled to open the season at the Maryland Terrapins on Aug. 30 and are also scheduled to visit the FIU Panthers on Sept. 13. FAU will wrap up non-league play on Nov. 22 at home against the UConn Huskies.
The American slate of opponents for FAU next season includes East Carolina, Memphis, Tulsa, and UAB at home and Navy, Rice, Tulane, and USF on the road.
Football Schedules
Really going for a big SOS Iowa
Bison Jim , Dave,
The real loser =s FL Atlantic Uni. Owls.
Besides a probable Dependent 5 or a 63 GrantsInAid University which obscures FAU Owls exposure from little to minus, all the budgeted uses for the original 1.4 Million guarantee is moot for them.
Trust 4 B18g10 Iowa =s copycatting the worst self anointed programs in it: OH StateU, UMI, PA StateU UCLA, UOR, USC, UWA
Surely UAlbany appreciates that guarantee
UAlbany, IAlbany, WeAllAlbany!
I rather have Iowa play UMass in September than November.
Iowa did this to simply dumb down their schedule. That’s all.
Plus Big Ten really likes conference games in October & November.
FAU comes out the winner here. Not only will FAU wind up netting $450K more to move this game but the Owls will also be able to schedule a home game instead of having to play three OOC games on the road. It’s almost like Iowa was trying to do FAU the favor instead of the other way around. Another option is for FAU to try to find another road OOC game and another $1-2 million check (they were going to play 3 on the road anyway).
Why is Iowa doing this though? Iowa could have kept the original deal with FAU and brought in UAlbany (or another FCS team) another year. Not only did Iowa have an open slot in 2030 but in 2027, 28 and 29 as well. Iowa just wasted $450K.
The UMass game moving to September was also a change; it had been slated for November 15, but had to move because of MACtion.
It’s still possible that this game gets canceled, as UMass needs to drop one of their four road games.
The UMass date was changed in late August, so I doubt it gets canceled.
I am a fan of Big Ten playing OOC games in September & conference games in October & November.
Oregon State and Washington State have openings! People keep forgetting their scheduling agreement with the MWC was not renewed.
Oregon State & Washington State is not necessary for Iowa they will be excellent with three OOC games in 2025.