Northwestern has won two straight games in Kinnick Stadium and if they can make it three in a row this weekend it will spoil Iowa’s bid for a perfect season. The Wildcats are 2-3 in the league race after a home loss to Penn State while the Hawkeyes are closing in on a Big Ten Championship.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald says the Iowa defense has been taking the ball away at a high rate and is ranked highly in a number of categories. He says the Hawkeye offense is very efficient and they are also strong in the kicking game. Fitzgerald say the Hawks have been at their best in tough situations. He says they battle in the second half and have been able to persevere.

At one time Iowa completely dominated this series but things turned around in the mid-90s. Fitzgeralds says Northwestern is 7-5 against Iowa since 1995 and he says they’ve been fortunate to win the last two in Iowa City.