Iowa travels to Madison, WI on Saturday (3:00 PM CT, FOX) to face Wisconsin in the biggest game of the season for the Hawkeyes (and, probably, the Badgers as well). The winner of this game will have a huge leg up on the loser in the Big Ten West division standings -- even with half the season to play out, that advantage may be insurmountable.
So what will we be watching as Iowa tries to keep its Big Ten West hopes alive -- and win in Madison for the first time since 2015?
Controlling the game via running the ball has been a key to this series for three decades now and it feels like it's probably going to hold true again on Saturday. For Iowa to win this game, the Hawkeyes are going to have to find success in the ground game. Iowa hasn't been very good on offense this season, but the best moments have tended to feature a strong showing by the running backs (250+ yards against Western Michigan, 180+ yards against Purdue).
Effectively running the ball would also take pressure off Deacon Hill (making his first career road start), which could reduce the likelihood of Hill turning the ball over. Putting as little pressure on Hill's shoulders as possible seems like the best strategy for Iowa in this game. To do that, the Iowa offensive line will probably need to produce its best -- and most consistent -- performance of the season.
MORE HERE: https://iowa.rivals.com/news/what-we-re-watching-iowa-at-wisconsin
So what will we be watching as Iowa tries to keep its Big Ten West hopes alive -- and win in Madison for the first time since 2015?
WHO WINS THE GROUND GAME
There have been few predictors more reliable than this one: the team that wins the rushing battle takes home the Heartland Trophy. Going back to 2009, the team that outruns the other in this game is 11-1. The only exception came in 2009, when Iowa ran for 65 yards and allowed 87 but still came away with a win in Madison.Controlling the game via running the ball has been a key to this series for three decades now and it feels like it's probably going to hold true again on Saturday. For Iowa to win this game, the Hawkeyes are going to have to find success in the ground game. Iowa hasn't been very good on offense this season, but the best moments have tended to feature a strong showing by the running backs (250+ yards against Western Michigan, 180+ yards against Purdue).
Effectively running the ball would also take pressure off Deacon Hill (making his first career road start), which could reduce the likelihood of Hill turning the ball over. Putting as little pressure on Hill's shoulders as possible seems like the best strategy for Iowa in this game. To do that, the Iowa offensive line will probably need to produce its best -- and most consistent -- performance of the season.
MORE HERE: https://iowa.rivals.com/news/what-we-re-watching-iowa-at-wisconsin
