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Happy prediction Friday, Hawkeye fans! 

This one is a little bit different because not only is it one of your favorite days of the week, it's also game day. 

We're accustomed to Iowa playing its annual Black Friday contest against Nebraska each year, but now that the Big Ten has expanded to the West Coast, it seems like the Hawkeyes are a trendy pick to play an additional Friday night conference game every season. 

Two years ago, it was a trip to Los Angeles to take on UCLA. A trip to New Jersey followed last year, but the Hawkeyes are returning west this year. But it's not going to be a return trip to California – it's instead a journey up the coastline to the scenic Pacific Northwest to face off against the Washington Huskies. 

This will be Iowa's first trip to Seattle in 63 years, and it's going to be a very important game at Husky Stadium. The Hawkeyes have their College Football Playoff hopes still out in front of them with a win, while a loss will minimize those dreams. 

Here's how I see the matchup playing out. 

Where/When To Watch 

Matchup: No. 20 Iowa (4-1, 1-1) @ Washington (3-2, 0-2) 

Scheduled game time: Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. CDT 

Location: Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA 

Weather: 57 degrees 

TV: FOX 

Announcers: Connor Onion (play-by-play), Robert Griffin III (analyst), Alex Landestoy (sideline) 

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Pat Angerer) 

Student Radio: KRUI (Ryan Paris, Logan Melia) 

The Pick 

UPDATE: Multiple outlets reported on Friday morning that Jeremy Hecklinski will be Iowa's starting quarterback in this game. 

As I said in the open, this is just a massive football game for Iowa. Every game is at this point in the year, and though it's not classified as a must-win game, it feels close to it. If the Hawkeyes want to break through and challenge for a College Football Playoff berth, they have to find a way to win this contest and enter the bye on a strong note. 

Entering the bye week with a win is always important, but take a look at what's after the bye – the entire old Big Ten West. Though the slate certainly looks a little tougher then we pictured at the beginning of the season, it's manageable enough for Iowa to stack wins. 

But the Hawkeyes have to get through Washington first. Though the Huskies have stumbled through the first five games, it feels like they are on the verge of playing like the team everyone thought we'd see this year. Jedd Fisch's team outplayed USC last weekend, but a costly fumble by quarterback Demond Williams led to a game-winning scoop and score for the Trojans. It was a play that summed up Washington's season so far, but let's go back to Williams. 

I believe Williams is going to be the difference-maker in this football game. Some are questioning the Huskies locker room morale after Williams nearly bolted to the transfer portal, but he has to be due for a big game at some point? If he's going to turn things around, it would likely happen in a crucial home game. 

Iowa fans aren't going to like me for saying this, but I think Williams is going to have his best game of the season against a Hawkeye defense that has shown some flaws against good teams. Michigan has been anemic on offense for the entire year, but Bryce Underwood had arguably the best game of his career against Iowa two weeks ago. 

The Hawkeyes were fortunate to win that game at the buzzer, but that's not going to be the case in Seattle. Williams is going to use his ridiculous speed to guide Washington's offense, and while I think Iowa is going to score some points regardless of who is under center, the Huskies will have the ball in their hands with a chance to win the game late and ultimately break the Hawkeyes' hearts with a late field goal. 

Until Iowa actually wins a game on the West Coast, I just can't pick it. 

Prediction: Washington 27, Iowa 24 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io

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