With Iowa's 40-16 Black Friday win over Nebraska in the books, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman evaluate the 8-4 regular season and look ahead to the state of the football roster going into the 2026 season. Basketball chatter is also on the menu for this extended Hawk Central episode, as Chad breaks down the men's Big Ten-opening loss to Michigan State. We finish with 15 quality minutes on the unbeaten Hawkeye women, who open Big Ten play on Saturday at Rutgers.

With Iowa's 40-16 Black Friday win over Nebraska in the books, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman evaluate the 8-4 regular season and look ahead to the state of the football roster going into the 2026 season. Basketball chatter is also on the menu for this extended Hawk Central episode, as Chad breaks down the men's Big Ten-opening loss to Michigan State. We finish with 15 quality minutes on the unbeaten Hawkeye women, who open Big Ten play on Saturday at Rutgers.

“Hawk Central Hour” airs between 6-7 p.m. on 1460 KXnO-AM on Wednesdays and will feature Des Moines Register Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow and beat writer Tyler Tachman. 

Follow their coverage at hawkcentral.com. 

“Hawk Central Hour” airs between 6-7 p.m. on 1460 KXnO-AM on Wednesdays and will feature Des Moines Register Hawkeyes columnist Chad Leistikow and beat writer Tyler Tachman. 
Follow their coverage at hawkcentral.com.

Hawk Central Hour

“Hawk Central Hour” airs between 6-7 p.m. on 1460…

Hawk Central: Early look at 2026 Iowa football, sizing up hoops loss at Michigan State

The Register's Chad Leistikow hosts a special-edition Hawk Central with the architects of the Iowa women's basketball offseason in LaSondra Barrett (recruiting coordinator) and Sean Sullivan (general manager). The coaches explain how the five-player class (four college transfers, one freshman) came together over the course of nearly 40 minutes. To finish the show, Chad is joined by Register colleague Tyler Tachman to discuss the Big Ten's preferred 24-team football playoff format and what it means for Iowa.

The Register's Chad Leistikow hosts a special-edition Hawk Central with the architects of the Iowa women's basketball offseason in LaSondra Barrett (recruiting coordinator) and Sean Sullivan (general manager). The coaches explain how the five-player class (four college transfers, one freshman) came together over the course of nearly 40 minutes. To finish the show, Chad is joined by Register colleague Tyler Tachman to discuss the Big Ten's preferred 24-team football playoff format and what it means for Iowa.

Hawk Central: Sitdown with Iowa women's basketball assistant coaches LaSondra Barrett, Sean Sullivan

A heavy men's basketball episode of Hawk Central this week, as head coach Ben McCollum's new contract opens up a lot of discussion about the future of the program. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman, who is at the NBA Combine, talk through the particulars plus look ahead to the recently-revealed Big Ten schedule breakdown. Chad also offers insight into a change for the Iowa women, and we react to the Washington football game being on a Friday night in Seattle.

A heavy men's basketball episode of Hawk Central this week, as head coach Ben McCollum's new contract opens up a lot of discussion about the future of the program. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman, who is at the NBA Combine, talk through the particulars plus look ahead to the recently-revealed Big Ten schedule breakdown. Chad also offers insight into a change for the Iowa women, and we react to the Washington football game being on a Friday night in Seattle.

Hawk Central: Ben McCollum contract explainers, grading Iowa's Big Ten schedule

With spring football and the NFL Draft in the books, we truly usher in the offseason Iowa's major sports, and it's a good time to reflect on the some award-winning performances. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman debate the top transfer, top freshman, most surprising story and more in this early-May episode of Hawk Central. We also discuss some of the best moments from Tyler's 1-on-1 interview with basketball coach Ben McCollum.

With spring football and the NFL Draft in the books, we truly usher in the offseason Iowa's major sports, and it's a good time to reflect on the some award-winning performances. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman debate the top transfer, top freshman, most surprising story and more in this early-May episode of Hawk Central. We also discuss some of the best moments from Tyler's 1-on-1 interview with basketball coach Ben McCollum.

Hawk Central: Early look at 2026 Iowa football, sizing up hoops loss at Michigan State

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