Iowa vs. Arizona Pre-Game

Iowa (2-0) vs. Arizona (2-0)
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m., Kinnick Stadium
TV/Radio: ABC (regionally), ESPN2, AM 800 KXIC
Line: Iowa, +4 (espn.com)

What to watch for
Arizona brings the nation's second leading rusher (Nic Grigsby) into what is sure to be a rowdy, raucous Kinnick Stadium. Grigsby has 325 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries in two games. His 8.6 yards per carry is seventh in the nation and his 94-yard dash against Northern Arizona (of the FBS) is the second longest rush of the season.

The Wildcats' spread offense is a run-based offense as quarterback Matt Scott has added 131 yards on 16 carries. Scott, however, will be making his first start on the road of his career.

Offensively, Iowa has found its legs in the running game in a pair of freshman running backs. Adam Robinson is the leading rusher on the team with 132 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Robinson is listed as the starter.

His back-up is true freshman Brandon Wegher. Wegher rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries last week against Iowa State. The Sioux City Heelan-product is generating a lot of buzz around Iowa City.

Look for Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi to try to get on a roll early. In Iowa's games against Northern Iowa and Iowa State, Stanzi has twice had trouble with his command in the first half. Stanzi is 40-68 439 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.

Key Stats
It will be a match-up of strength against strength.

Arizona is fifth in the nation with 611 rushing yards in two games (305.5 per game).'

Iowa gives has given up 274 total rushing yards in the first two games (190 vs. Iowa State, 84 against UNI). Traditionally, Iowa's rush defense is as stingy as a Republican-controlled congress.

If Iowa can score 30 points, they will win. The Hawks are 41-1 since 2001 when they score 30+.

Prediction
I like Iowa at home, especially against a young quarterback.

Iowa 31, Arizona 17