College Football Preview and Prediction: Northwestern Wildcats vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

Can Dan Persa and Northwestern put a damper on Iowa's season for a second straight year?

Spread: Iowa by 9.5
Total: 50

Last season, Northwestern went into Iowa City and knocked Hawkeyes QB Ricky Stanzi out of the game – and the Hawkeyes out of the national title race – with a stunning upset.

This season, the Wildcats have the chance to deliver a knockout blow to Iowa’s Big Ten title and Rose Bowl hopes by holding serve on their home turf.

After the trouble that Iowa had in overcoming Indiana on the road last weekend, all indications are that they’ll have an even harder time putting away Northwestern, who’s made a habit of close games this season. Five times this season, the Wildcats have been involved in a game with a final margin of five points or less, and they’re 4-1 in those games.

However, one thing that Pat Fitzgerald’s squad can’t do if they get a lead in this one is have a repeat of their losses, which have them in the middle of the pack instead of in the thick of the convoluted Big Ten title race.

Against Purdue, they led the Boilermakers in the final minutes, but they allowed a late touchdown and missed two field goals that would have made the difference in a 20-17 loss. Against Michigan State, Northwestern led by 10 going into the fourth and by six going into the final minutes, but the Spartans scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes for a 35-27 win. Then last weekend at Penn State, they led 21-0 in the final minute of the first half, then proceeded to allow Penn State to drive 91 yards in less than a minute for what proved to be a momentum-changing touchdown and the start of 35 unanswered points for the Nittany Lions in a 35-21 win.

Behind dual-threat quarterback Dan Persa, who has thrown for 2,263 yards and 13 touchdowns (and only three interceptions) and run for 469 yards and eight touchdowns this season, Northwestern has the offense to keep up with Iowa, who is a lot more than a run, run, run team thanks to Stanzi making big strides as a senior. Stanzi’s completion percentage has gone for 56.3% last year to 68.3% this year, and he has a career-high 20 touchdown passes and only three interceptions after tossing 15 interceptions last season.

Northwestern will definitely keep this one close, and if you’re a wise man, you’d jump on the moneyline as well, because the Wildcats have what it takes to pull off the upset. The big question is whether or not they can, but if they can hold a lead when it matters.

SPREAD PICK: Northwestern +9.5
TOTAL PICK: Over 50

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