Why Wisconsin vs. Iowa matchup is Badgers most important must-win game of the season

A Week 7 game against an unranked Iowa Hawkeyes team doesn't sound like a major college football matchup, but for the Wisconsin Badgers, this will be the most important game of the season.

It's the ultimate must-win game, and it goes well beyond just the rivalry and the Heartland Trophy.

The results could drastically shape Luke Fickell's future with the program.

Months without a win

The Badgers are desperate for any win they can find. They haven't won since September 6, when they beat Middle Tennessee.

Their next two games after Iowa are against No. 1 ranked Ohio State and No. 2 ranked Oregon.

If Wisconsin doesn't beat Iowa, they will almost certainly go a full two months without winning a game.

Their next matchup with an unranked opponent after this is Washington on November 8. The Badgers would carry a six-game losing streak into that game, with no guarantees of being able to beat the Huskies either.

Then it's two more ranked opponents in Indiana and Illinois to follow.

Luke Fickell desperately needs the win over Iowa to break up the losing streak and give the program signs of hope for the future.