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The wait is almost over, Hawkeye fans. 

In just two days, your No. 14 Iowa football team will take the Kinnick Stadium field for one of the most-anticipated home games of the 21st century – a date with No. 5 Ohio State on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, CBS) 

We've been previewing the matchup all week long with features and analysis here on HawkeyeRoundtable.com, and now that we're getting close to prediction Friday, it's time to switch gears to the fun side of our weekly coverage. 

Watching the Iowa-Ohio State game is obviously going to be your first priority on Saturday, but there's simply too many other intriguing games on the Week 5 slate to just watch your beloved Hawkeyes. 

Here are the top games of Week 5 that you should keep an eye on this weekend. 

*All game times Central 

Friday 

Penn State (3-1, 0-1) @ Northwestern (2-1, 0-1) 

Time/TV: 7 p.m. on FOX

Northwestern fans have waited a long time for their new stadium to open, and Friday is the day. The new Ryan Field looks absolutely incredible, but will it lead the Wildcats to a victory? Matt Campbell's seat at Penn State is going to be interesting if he falls to 0-2 in Big Ten play. 

Saturday 

No. 7 Alabama (4-0, 2-0) @ No. 16 Mississippi State (4-0, 2-0)  

Time/TV: 11 a.m. on ABC 

This has the potential to be an outstanding game. Brandon Walker has hyped up bad Mississippi State teams for his entire lifetime, but he's actually got a good football team to root for now. Though I'm not making predictions here, I think Kamario Taylor and the Bulldogs keep their special season rolling. 

Michigan (3-1, 0-1) @ Minnesota (3-1, 1-0) 

Time/TV: 11 a.m. on FOX 

If you're an Iowa fan, this may be the the only time you'd cheer for Michigan. The Hawkeyes have business to take care of against Ohio State, but if Iowa remains in College Football Playoff contention by the end of the regular season, it'll need as many resume-boosting wins as it gets. Can the Wolverines bounce back here? 

West Virginia (3-1, 0-1) @ Iowa State (2-2, 0-1) 

Time/TV: 11 a.m. on TNT 

If you like to hate watch Iowa State, here's the game info. Considering the tough October schedule the Cyclones have in front of them, this is probably a must-win game for Jimmy Rogers' squad if it wants to make a bowl game. 

Washington (3-1, 0-1) @ No. 18 USC (4-1, 1-1) 

Time/TV: 6:30 p.m. on NBC

Iowa plays Washington next weekend, so this one may be of keen interest to you if you're looking to consume more football after the Iowa-Ohio State game. The Huskies have looked absolutely dreadful to begin the year, but maybe they can get things going before facing the Hawkeyes. Very important game for Jedd Fisch's group here. 

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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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