Iowa football looks to end Illinois’ newfound hot streak in Week 13

Iowa football hosts the upstart Illinois Fighting Illini at Kinnick Stadium at noon. Here’s a preview, prediction and how to watch.

Three teams have pulled off big time upsets this season: South Carolina upset Georgia in a “we didn’t see that coming” game, Vanderbilt ended Missouri’s five-game winning streak (we know more about Mizzou now) and Illinois shocked the world and defeated the vaunted Wisconsin Badgers.

Of those three teams, only Illinois used that upset to fuel a winning streak. The last-second win in Champaign was the first of a four-game streak that was book-ended by another upset against Michigan State on the road. How quickly things can change.

One month ago, the college football multiverse wondered if Lovie Smith would survive the season. Now, here he is with a team playing their best football since he’s been in Champaign-Urbana, and going to a bowl.

This might seem like one of those seasons that feel like “what could have been” for the Hawkeyes. This was supposed to be their best team since the Brad Banks era. They lost T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant to the NFL, but their perimeter players were supposed to be dynamic this season. Nathan Stanley was going to take that next step and A.J. Epanesa was going blow for blow with Chase Young for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. It wasn’t to be.

The Hawkeyes are having another solid Hawkeyes season. They are 7-3, with wins against Iowa State and Minnesota. Not quite good enough to win it all, but good enough to spoil it for others — just ask Minnesota.

Here’s how you can watch:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Venue: Kinnick Stadium
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
TV: Big Ten Network
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

This is a strength on strength game. Iowa and Illinois are playing well defensively. The numbers might not show it as much, but the Fighting Illini have created turnovers like crazy during this streak. Illinois has 12 turnovers created during its four-game winning streak. They’ve only given up a lot of yards in their improbable comeback against Michigan State.

Iowa quarterback Nathan Stanley will turn the ball over as well. Iowa wants to stop the Illinois running game. Brandon Peters isn’t much of a threat throwing the ball, but they do have big play ability with Josh Imatorbhebhe at receiver.

Prediction

This is a tough game for both teams. This one might go under. Both teams might look play field position. It’s at Kinnick, and Iowa has the better players. This isn’t the most confident pick, but Iowa’s superior talent wins out.

Final Score: Iowa 21, Illinois 13