The Hawkeyes’ offense is heavily reliant on their ground game, which could be a significant issue in this matchup. Northwestern ranks 18th in the nation against the run, making it likely that they’ll be able to contain Iowa’s rushing attack and force them into uncomfortable passing situations—a clear weakness for the Hawkeyes.

On the other side, Northwestern’s offense is among the worst in the country. They struggle to move the ball effectively, and against an Iowa defense that consistently performs well at home, the Wildcats could have a hard time finding the end zone.

This game has all the makings of a low-scoring, grind-it-out battle, where points will be at a premium. The defensive strength on both sides and lack of offensive firepower suggest a final score in the range of 21-7, favoring Iowa.