Iowa Vs Northwestern Latest Hurdle for Iowa's Title Hopes

Iowa vs Northwestern is not usually a significant game. But this year, Iowa vs Northwestern could have major national implications. Either Iowa vs Northwestern will keep the Hawkeyes alive and ready for their biggest game of the year next week, or it will be a trap game that finally ends the Hawkeyes dream. Iowa vs Northwestern will not be taken lightly by the fourth-ranked Hawkeyes, since they need an impressive, decisive win for once. But they have to avoid looking ahead to next week, and avoid thinking about the Big 10 showdown in Happy Valley later today.

Iowa vs Northwestern pits the still-unbeaten Hawkeyes against the upstart Wildcats, a week after Iowa needed a huge fourth-quarter against Indiana to stay unbeaten. The Hawkeyes can't seem to blow out anyone, whether it is a Football-Sub Division opponent or a mediocre Big 10 team. Iowa is still unbeaten, but they could use a bigger boost to stand a chance in the BCS.

As of now, the Hawkeyes are the top-ranked team below the Big 3 of college football, in Florida, Alabama and Texas. If one of those three finally slips up, Iowa could be in position to move up and take a BCS title slot. But the Hawkeyes have to be undefeated, and have to be impressive enough that teams like Cincinnati, TCU, Boise State, Oregon and LSU can't leap over them.

The Iowa vs Northwestern game isn't expected to change that, but the Wildcats certainly feel confident that they can challenge the Hawkeyes. Northwestern is 5-4 and trying to play their way into a bowl game, after being thumped by Penn State at home last week.

Penn State will also be on the minds of Hawkeyes fans today. After Iowa vs Northwestern, the Nittany Lions host Ohio State in a big clash this afternoon. If Ohio State wins, the Buckeyes would jump ahead in the Big 10 if they defeated Iowa in next week's super showdown at Columbus. But if the Nittany Lions win, Iowa could all but clinch the Big 10 by beating Ohio State - plus, Iowa's win at Penn State would look even more impressive for computers.

As of the first minute of the game, Iowa already jumped ahead 7-0 on a 74-yard touchdown pass. Perhaps this is the week the Hawkeyes can take it easy, since they could use a break before next week's major test. Iowa vs Northwestern is airing now on ESPN, from Kinnick Stadium.

Sources

ESPN- "Northwestern-Iowa Preview"