Iowa at Northwestern - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Iowa Hawkeyes at Northwestern Wildcats

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Saturday, November 7th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
- ,   (Big Ten)

 
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (30 - 17 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
NW is playing their 8th straight game
Our Line: Iowa -11  (SP+ IOWA -14)

Projected Score: IOWA: 28 - NW: 17 (44)
IOWA Win prob: 78% | Cover: 49%
IOWA Travel: 201 miles
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (27 - 12 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#78)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 4)
 
Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Iowa vs Northern Illinois-35
Sat 9/12Iowa vs Iowa State-12
Sat 9/19Iowa vs Northern Iowa-40
Sat 9/26Iowa at Michigan+5
Sat 10/3Iowa vs Ohio State+10.5
Sat 10/10Iowa at Washington+7.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Iowa at Minnesota-8
Sat 10/31Iowa vs Wisconsin-19
Sat 11/7Iowa at Northwestern-11
Sat 11/14Iowa vs Purdue-22
Sat 11/21Iowa at Illinois-1
Fri 11/27Iowa vs Nebraska-13

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Iowa's Schedule
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Northwestern vs Colorado-7
Sat 9/26Northwestern at Indiana+29
Fri 10/2Northwestern vs Penn State+11.5
Sat 10/10Northwestern vs Ball State-27
Sat 10/17Northwestern at Michigan State-1
Sat 10/24Northwestern vs Rutgers-4
Sat 10/31Northwestern at Oregon+25.5
Sat 11/7Northwestern vs Iowa+11
Sat 11/14Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21Northwestern at Minnesota+5.5
Sat 11/28Northwestern at Illinois+12

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northwestern's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
IOWA#73 (.17)44% (45)29.348% (16)3.29 (15)17739% (97)1434.44 (20)#26 (.08)39% (29)16.141% (54)37% (25)3.34 (38)30.211.1
NW#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NW0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Offense1329.329.844.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17
NW Defense1319.812.445.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
IOWA Defense1316.117.238.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
NW Offense1323.426.843.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)
NW Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
IOWA Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)0.89 (33)
NW Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Offense1338% (126)39% (97)13.822143.26.510.312 (128)8 (60).24 (71)1.5 (68)27% (15)26% (112).2 (110)3% (4)1.9 (92)
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)

Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 13.67  #26
Iowa's Offense Rating: 15.37  #49
Iowa's Defense Rating: 6.70  #19
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 17%  #26
Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 19.7  #12
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #37
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 13.67   Northwestern: 5.91

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Iowa: 19.7   Northwestern: 5.8




Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 5.91  #73
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 12.23  #75
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 16.21  #72
2026 Talent Rating: 878.00  #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 4  #57
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.8
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 17.2

Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Iowa 28
Northwestern 17


Projected Total Points: 44
Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.8
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 12.4

Northwestern's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/26Iowa40Northwestern14Iowa -16.5Iowa38.5Over
202311/04Northwestern7Iowa10Iowa -4.5Northwestern30.5Under
202210/29Iowa33Northwestern13Iowa -11.5Iowa37.0Over
202111/06Northwestern12Iowa17Iowa -11.5Northwestern40.5Under
202010/31Iowa20Northwestern21Iowa -3.0Northwestern0
201910/26Northwestern0Iowa20Iowa -7.5Iowa35.5Under
201811/10Iowa10Northwestern14Iowa -10Northwestern46.5Under
201710/21Northwestern17Iowa10Northwestern -2.5Northwestern45.5Under
201610/01Iowa31Northwestern38Iowa -12Northwestern44.5Over
201510/17Northwestern10Iowa40Iowa -2.5Iowa41.0Over
201411/01Iowa48Northwestern7Iowa -6Iowa0
201310/26Iowa17Northwestern10Iowa -3Iowa0
201210/27Northwestern28Iowa17
201110/15Iowa41Northwestern31
201011/13Northwestern21Iowa17
200911/07Iowa10Northwestern17
200809/27Iowa17Northwestern22
200711/03Northwestern17Iowa28
200611/04Iowa7Northwestern21
200511/05Northwestern28Iowa27
200211/09Iowa62Northwestern10
200111/10Northwestern16Iowa59
200011/10Iowa27Northwestern17
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northwestern1064 Overs
Iowa1365 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams11 - 127 - 55 - 32 - 2
Road Teams12 - 115 - 72 - 23 - 5

(#26) IOWA at (#73) NW
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatIOWANW
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #26 #73
SP+SP+ #12 #51
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #41 #40
Blue ChipsBC% #26 #57
Iowa Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Good, but desperate for decent Offense
(2/1) 64th (of 68) in P4 Returning Production. Rebuild?
(2/1) QB1? H. Brown vs J. Hecklinski (both '25 Portals)
(2/1) RB Moulton (RB1 LY) + Phillips (SD Portal, 1.8K)
(2/1) WR can James (Fur Portal) help? Big bodied depth
(2/1) OL 2 starters back but good depth w some exp
(2/1) DL 4 G5/FCS portal adds. V Green but has parts
(2/1) LB 1 back, good talented depth but unproven
(2/1) CBs are great, took 4 portals at S (3 starters)
Iowa Injury Report
Northwestern Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Braun has NW fighting, OC Kelly fix Off?
(2/4) QB Chiles (MSU) hasn't lived up. Can OC Kelly fix?
(2/4) RB really good stable of backs, top 1/2 B1G unit?
(2/4) WR has many exp'd options & good starting duo
(2/4) OL is a huge ? Only 2 w starting exp. Vital need
(2/4) DL was bad LY, not much portal help. Some exp
(2/4) LBs only 2 exp'd, depth must fill gaps
(2/4) CB 2 portal adds fill big need, S needs a #2
(2/4) Cats have weapons, OL & Def are ? w/o answers
Northwestern Injury Report
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffNW Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45 #117
ExplosiveExp #132 #12
PPAPPA #73 #72
PowerPwr #49 #72
SP+SP+ #37 #30
Pts POPPO #20 #41
HavocHav #6 #83
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16 #119
Run ExplRExp #98 #85
PPAExp #34 #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15 #113
Stuff RateStuff #15 #118
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97 #101
Pass ExplPExl #68 #6
PPAExp #71 #63
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32 #93
DB HavocDB #4 #62
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffIOWA Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57 #29
ExplosiveExp #108 #8
PPAPPA #83 #26
PowerPwr #75 #19
SP+SP+ #90 #6
Pts POPPO #116 #38
HavocHav #94 #42
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46 #54
Run ExplRExp #92 #33
PPAExp #58 #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64 #75
Stuff RateStuff #48 #71
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatNW OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #25
Pass ExplPExl #97 #8
PPAExp #85 #30
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #52
DB HavocDB #130 #32
Program Comparison
NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Iowa beat Northwestern in 2024 (40-14)
Iowa beat Northwestern in 2023 (10-7)

  
IOWA's OC Tim Lester (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hank Brown112152%107115.1
Jeremy Hecklinski22100%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
L.J. Phillips Jr. (Tr)2811860196.667
Kamari Moulton17087855.234
Xavier Williams4928535.843
Nathan Mcneil3716904.624
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tony Diaz (Tr)678811113.175
Evan James (Tr)65796712.261
DJ Vonnahme29434315.051
Reece Vander Zee15219214.629

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Jayden Montgomery441022
Deshaun Lee341006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lance Ingold (Tr)172220
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Kahmari Brown (Tr)31000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Deshaun Lee341006
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105

NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014