What's up Hawk fans are you ready for the hated Northwestern Wildcats to invade Kinnick Stadium on Saturday? This is a huge game for both teams as Iowa sits 4-3 overall with a conference record of 1-2, Northwestern sits at 4-3 overall with a record of 0-3 in the conference. The Wildcats over the years have given the Hawks fits because they take what Iowa gives them throwing short passes and moving the ball down the field. This is a must win game for both teams as the winner will have a leg up in the chances to make a bowl game the team that wins only needs one more victory to make a bowl game so expect this one to be good. Northwestern is pretty banged up with there star Running back Venric Mark out for the game and QB Kain Colter questionable for the game this Saturday. I expect to see Colter under center this Saturday he has been practicing this week so he will play. So what will be the keys for Iowa having success on offense Saturday?
Iowa will do what they have done all season which is to establish the running game early on in the football game. Northwestern doesn't have a strong defensive front so the Hawkeyes should be able to run the ball early and often. I expect Iowa to have a 200 yard plus rushing performance for the first time in their last 2 weeks. Northwestern as a team is allowing 168 yards rushing per game so really look for Iowa to try to take advantage of the Northwestern front 7. Last week we saw Iowa come out in a 3 tight end package which was very successful even though we probably have as good of athletes as the Wildcats in the secondary it will be interesting to see how much we see this offense. The Wildcats are ranked 97th in the nation in pass defense allowing 257.4 yards per game.
Iowa should be able to find a rhythm in the passing game this weekend Northwestern doesn't have a strong defense but they are very opportunistic in forcing turnovers having forced 17 so far this season including 13 interceptions. Rudock will have to very careful on his passes. The Hawkeyes will have a chance to open up the passing game and I'm hoping to see them complete some passes down the field. This is the type of game where if Iowa doesn't turn the ball over they should be in a great position to win. A quick start is a huge factor on Saturday Northwestern has not played well since they lost a heart breaker at home to the Buckeyes so if the Hawks can jump on them early they should be able to win this game going away. A few things that I want to see the offense do in this game run the ball over 200 yards again they had a streak going for a while and it's time to restart the streak Saturday.
I'd like to see Damon Bullock bust a 20 yard plus ran I really feel like he is getting better and better each week so he could have a big game this Saturday. In the passing game I want to see the receivers make some plays down the field I'm talking 30 yards down the field a deep pass. Iowa needs to show Northwestern that the do have the athletes to make some plays on the outside really expect the Wildcats to put 8 in the box but with the offensive line playing well that shouldn't play a factor in the success we have running the ball. The last thing I want to see in this game is a perfect card for Jake Rudock now what does that mean? I'm not saying I want him to hit every pass but what I want to see on Saturday is 0 turnovers he has thrown interceptions in a lot of games this season so I would like to see him get through this one without throwing a pick. Those are the things I would like to see out of the offense this weekend now what does the defense need to do to slow down the wildcats?
Offensively Northwestern will do what they have always done to Iowa spread out the defense and throw the ball to the flat. The Wildcats are one of the few teams that have been able to take advantage of Iowa's soft defense so hopefully this weekend we see a little more man to man defense. I believe a lot of this game will be played in the red zone because the wildcats will be able to move the ball the key will be if they can score once they get there on the season they are number 2 in the nation scoring 28 times in 29 attempts. Iowa on the other hand has a very strong red zone defense allowing only 4 total touchdown all season long. Pass defense will be a major factor for the Hawkeyes who are in the top 30 allowing just over 200 yards passing per game. The problem this Iowa defense has had this season is the tendency to give up big plays which they must correct this weekend vs a pretty good receiving unit for the Wildcats. Northwestern is averaging 244 yards passing per game which is a decent number, I don't believe they will be able to run the football.
The wildcats average 177 yards rushing per game but if Colter is able to play he will make a major difference on the type of rushing attack Northwestern will have. The Hawks run defense only allows 114 yards per game so I think they should be able to slow down Northwestern rushing attack making them a pass first team. Trevor Seimeian and Kain Colter have combined to throw 10 TD passes and 8 interceptions. Colter has also ran the ball 53 times for 283 yards and 5 touchdowns and he even plays receiver he is the guy that really makes the Northwestern offense go so if Iowa can slow him down they should win this game. Iowa has forced 12 turnovers this season with 9 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries. Turnovers can make a difference on who will win the football game both of these defenses are pretty opportunistic so the team that wins the turnover battle should have the upper hand in this match up.Summing up the Northwestern offense they will run most of their plays out of spread formations trying to get rid of the ball quickly. Iowa will be without Dominic Alvis who has a back injury so some other guys after step up for him on the defensive line. Containing Colter with be very important he has the scrambling ability like Braxton Miller last week where he can make plays when things break down.
Prediction Iowa wins 34 to 14. Northwestern comes into this game struggling having lost 3 straight games with 2 of the 3 at home. The only Big Ten road game they played Wisconsin crushed them 35 to 6 I think Iowa will be able to exploit the Northwestern defense and I see a huge days for Weisman and Bullock. This game is really a turning point for the Hawks if they win it I see good things ahead a loss wouldn't give Iowa a great shot to make a bowl game. The Hawks need this one with the schedule they have coming up the Wildcats are beat up as a team Iowa needs to win this game. I think they will get the job done on Saturday I see the Hawks forcing 2 turnovers both interceptions to pull away late in the game. I see a 17 to 14 type halftime score with Iowa being the team that makes the plays to win the game.
As long as Iowa doesn't turn the football over they should win this game I don't think Northwestern will be able to slow down Iowa's rushing attack. On defense Iowa has to make tackles they can't allow the Wildcats to take one yard throws and turn them into 50 yard plays. Special teams coverage will be important again they are getting better but a goal I would like to see is holding the opposing teams return men to under 20 yards a return. I also think Jordan Cotton will break one this week he has been bottled up lately but I think this is the week he breaks out with a big return. Iowa still has everything right in front of them sitting at 1-2 in the conference they need to get a win this week to get some momentum going into the final 4 conference games. This is a much better team than last year they have been close all year long it's time for the Hawkeyes to take the next step forward winning a Big Ten conference home game. I'll have a review of the game coming up next week so be sure to check it out thanks for reading
Go Hawks.
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