Oct. 17--TV/radio: 11 a.m. Saturday; ABC-7, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Iowa by 1.
Records: Northwestern 5-1, 1-1 Big Ten; Iowa 6-0, 2-0.
Last meeting: Iowa won 48-7 on Nov. 1, 2014, in Iowa City.
On the offensive: The Wildcats must try to get back on track on the ground after rushing for only 38 net yards last week at Michigan, 25 by Justin Jackson. Iowa has the second-best run defense in the Big Ten (78 ypg).
Getting defensive: Northwestern ranks seventh in the country in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert only 24.7 percent. Keith Watkins II will start at cornerback in place of the injured Matthew Harris.
The number: 180. Second-half rushing yards by Iowa's Jordan Canzeri last week against Illinois, accounting for all but 6 Hawkeyes yards after halftime.
The talk: How will the previously unbeaten Wildcats respond after being steamrolled at Michigan? The Hawkeyes stand in the way of a Big Ten West title.
Fred Mitchell's pick: NU will need to limit mistakes on offense and special teams, play opportunistic defense and get a boost from the homecoming crowd at Ryan Field. Northwestern 27, Iowa 23.
