The short version: No. 21 Iowa (6-2) visits Northwestern (6-2) at the new Ryan Field in Evanston. Kickoff is 6:30 PM local.

Game info
When	Sat, Nov. 7, 7:30 PM ET
TV	FOX
Where	Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill.

Part 1: Watching at Home

How to watch

Kickoff is Sat, Nov. 7, 7:30 PM ET on FOX.

The storyline

Both teams are 6-2. Iowa leads the long series 55-28-3. Northwestern’s passing game, with Aidan Chiles and Griffin Wilde, faces Iowa’s defense.

Key players

Team	Player	Season so far
NU	QB Aidan Chiles	1,898 pass yards, 13 TD
NU	RB Caleb Komolafe	618 rush yards, 5 TD
NU	WR Griffin Wilde	761 rec. yards, 5 TD
IOWA	QB Hank Brown	1,190 pass yards, 8 TD
IOWA	RB Kamari Moulton	541 rush yards, 4 TD
IOWA	WR Tony Diaz	461 rec. yards

Season stats as of Nov. 1 from AP, ESPN and official team pages.

What to watch for

• Wilde against Iowa’s secondary.
• Iowa’s run game. Moulton carries the load.
• A night game by Lake Michigan. Wind can be a factor.

Watch-party menu

• Hawkeyes side: Iowa pork tenderloin sandwiches.
• Wildcats side: Chicago-style hot dogs or Italian beef.
• Timing: a 7:30 ET kickoff.

Hosting a watch party? A slow cooker keeps the main dish warm all game, and party platters make serving easy. Keep drinks cold in a cooler so nobody misses a play. Hang a Northwestern Wildcats flag or an Iowa Hawkeyes flag for the house divided, and a soundbar helps you hear the crowd.

Part 2: Traveling to the Game

Heads up: New Ryan Field uses a different bag rule. You don’t need a clear bag, but there’s a size limit.

Gates and entry

Gates open 2 hours before kickoff. Use the gate closest to your seat. There’s no re-entry.

Bag policy

• One bag per person up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches. It doesn’t have to be clear.
• No backpacks of any kind and no hard cases.
• Water bottles must be sealed or empty, up to 32 oz.

Parking and tailgating

• Don’t drive right to the stadium. Use the designated campus or downtown parking with shuttles, which start 3 hours before kickoff.
• Tailgating is in the designated on-site lots. The old Canal Shores golf course tailgate is no longer available.

Where to eat and stay

Evanston hotels are close to the stadium. Downtown Chicago works too, with the CTA Purple Line or Metra to Evanston.

Weather

November nights near Lake Michigan are cold and windy, so dress warm. Check the National Weather Service forecast the day before.

Rules can change. Check the official athletics site during game week.

What to pack

Driving in? A phone mount and a car charger keep the directions running, and car games for kids help on a long drive. Flying in? A neck pillow helps on the flight, and a packable rain poncho fits in a pocket.

At the stadium: New Ryan Field doesn’t require a clear bag, but it must be no bigger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, so a small stadium bag works. Bring a seat cushion for the bleachers and a portable power bank so your phone ticket doesn’t die. It gets cold, so pack hand warmers and a stadium blanket.

Tailgating: Set up a 10×10 canopy (most lots cap tents at that size), some folding chairs and a cornhole set. Where the rules allow it, a portable propane grill takes care of lunch. Rep your team with Northwestern Wildcats gear or Iowa Hawkeyes gear.

Places near the stadium

Where to eat

• Lou Malnati’s Evanston: Chicago deep-dish pizza.
• Le Peep Evanston: Breakfast and lunch downtown.

Where to stay

• Hilton Orrington Evanston: In downtown Evanston, near campus.

We checked that these places exist and have working official websites as of Nov. 2, 2026. Hours change on game weekends, so check before you go. These are not paid or affiliate links.

Game Day Gear

Affiliate disclosure

Sources: New Ryan Field: Getting In, New Ryan Field: Getting Here, AP preview, Series record. Ranks from the AP Top 25 released Nov. 1, 2026. Times ET.

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