Indiana Preview

After playing what was the Big Ten's worst defense last week, Iowa gets to do it again! Indiana has now moved down to the bottom of the B1G defense rankings. They give up 436.1 yards per game and have allowed 24 TDs this season, the most in the conference. So the pregame matchup is similar to last week; a strong Iowa offense versus the conference's worst defense.

 Indiana is also similar to last weeks Northwestern offense, though not quite as threatening. The Hoosiers score a relatively low amount of points compared to the rest of the B1G, but they put up a lot of yards. They run a spread offense that averages 357.1 yards per game. Iowa had trouble with the spread attack led by Ben Chappell last season, and escaped an upset in Bloomington thanks to Demarlo Belcher's dropped TD pass late in the 4th.

DeMarlo Belcher dropped the potential game winner a year ago

Iowa will have to hold Indiana's offense this season, and the defense needs to prove themselves after giving up nearly 500 total yards last week. It is not clear yet whether injured linebacker Tyler Nielsen will be ready to go. James Morris returned to practice this week. Hopefully they can both return to full health soon. Their injuries have caused Norm Parker to get creative, playing safety Tom Donatell at linebacker last week. There have also been rumors popping up again about A.J. Derby playing linebacker, although Head Coach Kirk Ferentz always seems to deflect that proposal.

Notes for Saturday:

-Indiana has two QBs with significant playing time this season. Edward Wright-Baker is the typical starter, and has the best stats between the two. Wright-Baker is also a threat on the ground.

-Marvin McNutt is one TD catch away from breaking the Iowa record for all-time receiving TDs.

-Indiana's running back, Stephen Houston is coming off a huge day against Wisconsin, in which he rushed for 135

-DeMarlo Belcher will be looking for revenge against the Hawks after dropping the potential game winning TD in last season's meeting. Belcher is 3 receptions away from becoming Indiana's all time receptions leader.

-This is Iowa's first game against new Hoosier head coach Kevin Wilson.

-The homecoming game at Kinnick Stadium is expected to be a sellout.

Prediction:

Iowa 38, Indiana 21

Iowa should put up a lot of points against a very weak defense, especially now that they have been rejuvenated after a big game last Saturday. Expect Marcus Coker to continue putting up fantastic numbers (averaging 96 yards per game), and James Vandenberg will have a big day. I expect Indiana to put up a few scores, but Iowa's defense will again do enough to get the win at home.

Here are some good Hawkeye reads from this week:

Keenan Davis has become a playmaker
http://hawkcentral.com/2011/10/19/keenan-davis-emerges-as-another-hawkeye-threat/

Hawkeye players have hidden talents
http://hawkcentral.com/2011/10/20/did-you-know-mcnutts-a-valet-kirksey-a-drummer-bigach-a-future-doc/

Prater upset with himself over blown coverage
http://hawkcentral.com/2011/10/18/notebook-praters-blown-coverage-shameful/

Brandon Wegher arrested
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-ia-wegherarrest,0,5038504.story

GO HAWKS!!
-IS