When the UAlbany Great Danes march into Kinnick Stadium to face the Iowa Hawkeyes this Saturday at 6:00 PM ET, they’ll be stepping into one of college football’s most intimidating environments for a Week 1 showdown that pits FCS grit against Big Ten power. For the Hawkeyes, this isn’t just another season opener—it’s the first chance to set the tone under the lights in front of a ravenous home crowd, while UAlbany arrives with everything to prove as they look to pull off what would be a program-defining upset.

The contrast in styles will be fascinating: Iowa’s trademark physicality and disciplined defense against a Great Danes squad that thrives on speed and opportunistic playmaking. With both teams eager to erase the offseason rust, expect fireworks early—whether it’s Iowa’s ground-and-pound offense wearing down UAlbany’s front or the Great Danes’ playmakers testing the Hawkeyes’ secondary with explosive plays. In a game where every snap carries the weight of a fresh season’s promise, the question isn’t just who will win, but how they’ll announce their intentions for 2025.