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Iowa Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Northwestern in Week 11

By Quinn Douglas

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 03: Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs the ball after a catch as Jacob Thieneman #41 of the Purdue Boilermakers tries to make the stop at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 3, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 03: Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs the ball after a catch as Jacob Thieneman #41 of the Purdue Boilermakers tries to make the stop at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 3, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Iowa football is looking to keep its Big Ten West title hopes alive with a big home game against division-leading Northwestern in Week 11.

Iowa and  Northwestern come into Saturday’s game on two different trajectories. Northwestern, after a dismal non-conference start, currently sits at 5-4, but all five wins have come in Big Ten play, including their upset of Wisconsin. Iowa started off their season 6-1, but have now dropped two in a row to Purdue and Penn State, both games showcased a facet of the game in which the Hawkeyes did not perform well at all.

Iowa does come into this game of two consecutive losses, but are still an immensely talented football team sitting at 6-3. Nate Stanley bounced back from his poor performance against Penn State with a solid day against the Boilermakers, completing 21-of-32 passes for 275 yards and a touchdown. Iowa’s defense was a big disappointment against the Boilermakers, allowing David Blough to torch them for five touchdowns.

On the flip side, Northwestern comes into this game with everything on the line.  A loss could very well signal the end of the Wildcats hunt for a Big Ten Championship and would also thrust the Big Ten West into utter chaos. Clayton Thorson has played very well off his torn ACL last December and has been the catalyst for this Northwestern run, aided by a stingy defense that head coach Pat Fitzgerald absolutely loves.

Here’s where to catch this Big Ten west clash on Saturday:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 10
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Venue: Kinnick Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOXSportsGo or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

If Iowa wants to get back on track, they need to go back to old school Iowa football. That is running the ball with authority, playing dominant defense and being efficient in the passing game. The Iowa rushing attack is due for a big game, and this game presents an opportunity for that. Nate Stanley has been a great leader all year and will need to make some big plays in the passing game. Iowa’s defense needs to get to Thorson and force turnovers as well.

As for Northwestern, Thorson will need to do what he’s done all year, be a true game manager. The Wildcats rushing attack has done a solid job the last couple weeks with Isaiah Bowser leading the way. Thorson will have to make plays down the stretch if Northwestern wants to make it three in a row against Iowa. The Wildcats’ defense has shown to be opportunistic, forcing three turnovers against Wisconsin.

Betting Odds

Courtesy of OddsShark

Line: Iowa -11
Over/Under: 44

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Prediction

It’s going to be a cold day on Saturday in Iowa City, which is how it ought to be for a November showdown between the Hawkeyes and Wildcats. It’s going to be a physical battle between two teams who have coaches who embrace physicality. In the end, Iowa is desperate for a win and will come out with a sense of urgency to get it done. That will ultimately be the deciding factor as Iowa shoves the ball down Northwestern’s throat in a big win for Kirk Ferentz’s crew.

Prediction: Northwestern 17, Iowa 24

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