1981 Iowa Hawkeyes football team Schedule Schedule

| Date_ | Opponent_ | Rank_ | Site | TV | Result_ | Attendance_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 12 | #7 Nebraska* |  | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA |  | W 10-7 | 60160 |
| September 19 | at Iowa State* |  | Cyclone Stadium • Ames, IA (Cy-Hawk Trophy) |  | L 12-23 | 53922 |
| September 26 | #6 UCLA* |  | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA |  | W 20-7 | 60004 |
| October 3 | at Northwestern | #18 | Dyche Stadium • Evanston, IL |  | W 64-0 | 30113 |
| October 10 | Indiana | #15 | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA |  | W 42-28 | 60000 |
| October 17 | at #5 Michigan | #12 | Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, MI |  | W 9-7 | 105915 |
| October 24 | Minnesota | #6 | Kinnick Stadium • Iowa City, IA (Floyd of Rosedale) | ABC | L 10-12 | 60000 |