It’s been a tremendous run this season for the Iowa Hawkeyes who have exceeded many of the preseason predictions put on them. Jordan Canzeri has dominated in the run game stepping it up after a lackluster rushing season in 2014, C.J. Beathard has dismantled defenses through the air, and Matt VandeBerg has been the “MandeBerg” in the receiving game. The defense has dominated as well with Desmond King becoming one of the premier Defensive Backs in the B1G as well as the nation(T-2nd in interceptions in the NCAA with five), the LineBackers have played well led by Josey Jewell and Ben Niemann, and despite losing Drew Ott to a torn ACL against Illinois, the D-Line should still be solid being led by Nate Meier and Jaleel Johnson.

Desmond King has certainly been the talk of the town with his B1G leading five, that’s right FIVE, interceptions having two multi-interception games. King has stepped up in big moments, picking off Pitt Quarterback Nathan Peterman on the first two drives of their week three matchup, including one in the endzone, and had two against Wisconsin, the first one leading to the game’s lone touchdown. The defensive line and Linebackers have dominated opposing teams at the line of scrimmage and have only given up one rushing touchdown this season, coming in last week’s 29-20 win over Illinois(that I was in the Press Box for).

Northwestern has had a tremendous season as well. The Wildcats have started their 2015 campaign on a high note going 5-1 with key wins versus Stanford and Duke, but are coming of a huge loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor last weekend 38-0. Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson has been a fantastic Freshman, throwing for 817 yards as well as rushing for an additional 161 yards and has eight total touchdowns on the season(four passing, four rushing). Wildcat RB Justin Jackson has 661 yards but only one touchdown and Wide Receivers Dan Vitale and Christian Jones will have to be locked down by the Iowa defensive backfield that I believe to be the best in the B1G.

Beathard has continued to show he was the right choice at QB throwing for 1239 yards and nine touchdowns, making Kirk Ferentz look like a genius with the rare January depth chart. Jordan Canzeri should continue to be a beast and run all over the Wildcat defense propelling the Hawkeyes to a 7-0 record and a spot in the top 15.

My Prediction: 

Iowa over Northwestern 27-21

Other big games this weekend:

Texas A&M over Alabama 52-48

Kansas State over Oklahoma 21-18

Michigan over Michigan State 38-21

LSU over Florida 45-17

Arizona State over Utah 27-26

Upset of the week

Purdue over Wisconsin 24-21