Iowa vs. Northwestern Pre-Game

No. 4/6/8 Iowa (9-0, 5-0) vs. Northwestern (5-4, 2-3)
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m., Kinnick Stadium
TV/Radio: ESPN (regionally), ESPN360.com, AM 800 KXIC
Line: Iowa, +16 (espn.com)

What to watch for
Iowa has started slow in almost every game this season. The Hawks have been the comeback kids of the nation, coming from behind in eight of their nine wins. Can the Hawks jump on Northwestern early?

Northwestern also is a slow starting team. On Oct. 24 the Wildcats spotted Indiana a 28-3 lead in the first half, before storming back for a 29-28 win. NU quarterback Mike Kafka is one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten and led the 'Cats to a 22-17 win in Kinnick Stadium last year.

Key Stats
Kafka has been the catalyst for the NU offense throwing for 2195 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Kafka also leads the team in rushing with 248 yards. He injured his hamstring last week against Penn State, however, so it will be interesting to see how many times head coach Pat Fitzgerald lets Kafka run the ball against the bullies of the Big Ten.

Iowa sophomore safety Tyler Sash leads the Big Ten with six interceptions.

Prediction
Iowa's last win in Kinnick Stadium against the Wildcats was in 2002 when Brad Banks, Dallas Clark and company throttled NU, 62-10. What a coincidence. Iowa went 8-0 in the Big Ten that year on its way to the Orange Bowl. Iowa will come out strong and give it to the 'Cats to make up for last year.

Iowa 38, Northwestern 14