It's Game Day in Madison: Battle of the Heartland Trophy, as Wisconsin hosts Iowa

Madison, WI -- The defending Big Ten West champion and now undefeated Wisconsin Badgers (9-0, 6-0 B1G West) welcome the #20 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, B1G West) to Camp Randall Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC Sports. The Heartland Trophy is on the line, when the Badgers and the Hawkeyes square off, but more importantly, the Badgers are the sole remaining Big Ten program in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2017.

Six Big Ten teams are now among the Top 25 and both Power 5 programs
from the great State of Iowa are ranked #20 and #21 for the first time, in
College Football Playoff history. Wisconsin is the lone Top 10 team in the B1G.

The Badgers have never gone 12-0 in the regular season, while the Hawkeyes finished 12-0 in 2015, for the first time in program history, as they won the Big Ten West division. The last time Iowa traveled to Madison was in the 2015 season, defeating the Badgers 10-6 in a defensive slug fest. The Hawkeyes are coming off an impressive 55-24 win over Ohio State, eliminating the Buckeyes from the College Football Playoff field.

Iowa won the last time in Madison 10-6. The Hawkeyes are hoping for three
straight, in a series where the road team has won six straight in the series.
Today's winner, will carry off the Heartland Trophy, introduced in 2004.

Iowa has faced five programs in the Top 25, with a 2-3 record, while Wisconsin is 1-0 with a 33-24 win at home against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes fell at Northwestern 17-10 in overtime. The Hawkeyes have fallen three times, but have played a stronger non conference, as well, as conference schedule in 2017.

Can the Hawkeyes make it two in a row, defeating Top 10 programs?

The Dean of College Football, Kirk Ferentz coaches the Iowa Hawkeyes, while Wisconsin is coached by Madison native and Badger alum, Paul Chryst, now in his third season at the helm, after three seasons at Pittsburgh (19-19). Chryst is now 30-6 at the helm at Wisconsin. The coaches are 1-1 in Big Ten meetings as head coaches, while Ferentz holds a 2-1 record overall head to head, with a 24-20 win in Pittsburgh in 2014 over Chryst's Pitt Panthers team.

Kirk Ferentz is in his 19th season at the helm at Iowa, as head coach and his 28th season overall. Paul Chryst grew
up in Madison, played football for the Badgers, was on the staff, as an assistant and now is in his third season,
as head coach, after three seasons leading Pittsburgh. The first head to head meeting against head coaches was in 2014,
when Iowa used a second half comeback to win 24-20 over the Chryst coached team. Ferentz is 2-1, 1-1 in Big Ten games.

Last year, in Iowa City, Wisconsin won 17-9, as the Hawkeyes were unable to find the end zone, due to the solid Badgers defense. The visiting program has won sixth straight in the series. The Badgers lead the series 45-43-2.

Statistics for the Iowa-Wisconsin series
Meetings total	90
All-time series	Wisconsin leads, 45–43–2 (.511)
Largest victory	Wisconsin, 44–0 (1894)
Longest win streak	Iowa, 10 (1985–1996)
Longest unbeaten streak	Iowa, 18 (1977–1996)
Current win streak	Wisconsin, 1 (2016–present)

Defense wins championships in the Big Ten West Division

Since 2014, the Big Ten has played East and West divisions, when Maryland and Rutgers joined the conference, making it seven programs in each division. The realignment reunited the annual series between Iowa and Wisconsin. Past three winners in the West Division ...

• 2014, Wisconsin at 7-1 in the West
• 2015, Iowa at 8-0 in the West
• 2016, Wisconsin at 7-2 in the West
• 2017, Wisconsin is in the driver seat right now, they control own destiny ...

Wisconsin and Iowa are #1 and #2 in conference games in scoring defense allowing only 15 and 17.5 points per game, respectively. On offense in Big Ten games, Iowa has played both #1 Ohio State (47.7) and #2 Penn State (33.50), splitting those games 1-1. Wisconsin (32.5) and Iowa (26.0) are #3 and #4, respectively, in the conference. The highest scoring opponent Wisconsin has faced is Northwestern (25.8).

The defense at Wisconsin is now lead by DC Jim Leonard, who is the third
defensive coordinator for head coach Paul Chryst, who is 30-6 in three seasons.

Both programs are playing very good football heading into the second Saturday of November. The Badgers lost two starting players last Saturday, #1 WR sophomore Quintez Cephus and sophomore LB Chris Orr, in the 45-17 win at Indiana. Iowa has lost three starters this season to injuries, but none of the players have played significantly this season. 

Quarterback will play a key role in today's game

Two sophomores get the start for each team. Prior to this season, redshirt sophomore Alex Hornibrook was a part-time starter for Wisconsin, but he is the full-time starter now in 2017, since Bart Houston graduated. Hornibrook ranks #2 behind Ohio State's J.T. Barrett in passing efficiency, despite throwing eight interceptions to seven touchdowns in conference play.

Wisconsin sophomore QB 12 Alex Hornibrook in last season's home game against Ohio State. The Badgers lone Big
Ten loss last season came in Madison 23-20 in OT. How will Iowa's defense get Hornibrook in Madison?
The Badgers QB threw 7 interceptions all last season and has eight already in 2017 in conference games.

Iowa's true sophomore Nate Stanley is in his first season, as the starting QB, replacing C.J. Beathard, who is now in the NFL playing for the San Francisco 49ers. Stanley has throw 12 touchdown passes and only 3 interceptions in conference play, as he returns to his home state of Wisconsin for the game today. Stanley has had two-five TD days, on the road in the non conference at #21 Iowa State and last Saturday in the win over #13 Ohio State.

Over in Columbus, the Big Ten East race will see Michigan State sophomore QB 14 Brain Lewerke lead the Spartans
into Ohio State to determine, who enters the driver seat, as the likely East draw in Indianapolis. Iowa sophomore QB
4 Nate Stanley returns to his home state, as the Hawkeyes face the Badgers in Camp Randall this afternoon.
The Big Ten has three prominent sophomore quarterback, with two of the three on display today in Madison. 

No one is expecting those type of fireworks in today's Iowa vs. Wisconsin game

This game begins in the offensive and defensive lines. Iowa has a new offensive line coach, with former North Dakota State offensive coordinator Tim Polasek, another Wisconsin native. Wisconsin has their third defensive coordinator, in the past three seasons, under Chryst. Chryst elevated defensive back coach Jim Leonard, a former Badgers defensive back, who joined the coaching staff last season, after a successful career as an NFL player. The Hawkeyes have a first year offensive coordinator, as Iowa elevated offensive line and run game coordinator, Brian Ferentz, a former Iowa offensive lineman to the position this off season.

How will first year Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz dial up on the
road, in his third B1G road test of 2017? There is a trophy on the line in this one.
The Hawkeyes did win a trophy in a 44-41 OT game at Iowa State, but the Hawkeyes
are 0-2 on the road, in Big Ten road games this season, at MSU and at Northwestern.

There will be a lot of motivation within the coaching staffs of both team in this game. Winning the line of scrimmage is always a key in this series. It's another trophy game. The Hawkeyes have won the two of four trophy games in 2017, with wins over Iowa State and Minnesota, 17-10 at Kinnick. Wisconsin plays for three trophy games to close out the regular season, with Iowa, Michigan and at Minnesota on the road to their first 12-0 season.

But, can Iowa knock Wisconsin off track today?

True freshman RB Jonathan Taylor is the feature back for the Badgers. He leads the Big Ten, in conference games, with 930 yards. He has had two-200 yard games, to kickoff his career at Wisconsin. He will be used behind the fullback and in the slot. His first running mate is sophomore Bradrick Shaw. Taylor has zero yards in the passing game in conference play.

The Iowa defense will face the #1 RB in the Big Ten at Wisconsin, as the Badgers
ground attack is lead by true freshman RB 23 Jonathan Taylor. He averages 6.8
yards per game, with seven touchdowns in Big Ten play in 2017.

The Hawkeyes have a strong dual threat senior RB Akrum Wadley, in both the run and passing game. You will see both offenses feature a fullback at times and rely on the tight ends in the run and passing games. Iowa also has senior Nevada transfer James Butler, back from an elbow injury, and redshirt freshman Toren Young at RB. Young is a Wisconsin prep making his first visit to his home state.

Iowa senior RB 25 Akrum Wadley can be outstanding in open space and this
safety valve pass last Saturday in the 55-24 win over Ohio State got Urban Meyer's
attention. Wadley has not found the run game consistent at times this season.
Will the Iowa offensive line provide opportunities for a change against the Badgers?

In the passing game, Wisconsin is now lead by senior TE Troy Fumagalli, with a sophomore WR A.J. Taylor and true freshman Danny Davis III the prime receivers outside now, due to multiple injuries in the receiving corp this season. The most recent injury was Cephus, but the Badgers are already without the leading returning receiver, senior WR Jazz Peavy, who went down, in early Big Ten play.

Iowa sophomore TE 87 Noah Fant leads Iowa receivers with TD receptions
with seven on the season. Wisconsin has a really strong tradition with tight ends,
as well. Senior Troy Fumagalli is an outstanding leader for the Badgers.
Iowa is healthy at TE for a change, after some ups and downs in recent seasons.

On the flip side, the Iowa receiving corp rode heavily last Saturday on true sophomore TE Noah Fant and redshirt freshman TE T.J. Hockenson, who each had two touchdowns in the win over Ohio State. Iowa's threesome at WR is senior Matt VandeBerg, junior JUCO transfer Nick Easley and true freshman Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Iowa is beginning to target true freshman Brandon Smith, but he only has three catches on the season.

Iowa's offensive line is anchored by Ohio preps, senior RG 79 Sean Welsh and
junior C 78 James Daniels, who clearly had best game of season, in last Saturday's
win over Ohio State. The pass blocking has improved, but mistakes, penalities
impacted the unit, until Saturday's impressive win over Ohio State.

Both programs are built in the offensive line on offense. Both teams returned four starters to begin the season, but the Hawkeyes lost both senior tackles early and are relying now on redshirt freshman LT Alaric Jackson and true freshman RT Tristan Wilfs, who each had a breakout game last Saturday, along with the interior line mates. The Hawkeyes will have to have another breakout game to likely have back to back upsets in Big Ten play. How will the Hawkeyes perform playing the vaulted 3-4 defense the Badgers run in Madison?

Iowa senior MLB 43 Josey Jewell leads the Big Ten in tackles in conference play,
as he takes down OSU QB C.J. Barrett in space last Saturday, in the win.

Iowa is rotating eight, even nine players in the defensive line in 2017. They faced a good unit last Saturday, but the size of the Wisconsin offensive line, with a be a real test, as well. Iowa starts three seniors in the linebacker corp, lead by the Big Ten's leading tackler, Josey Jewell.

Wisconsin junior LB T.J. Edwards lead the 2016 Badger defense in tackles,
he is back in 2017 to lead the #1 scoring defense, as he returns an interception
in the Homecoming game against Maryland, in a 38-13 win in Big Ten play.

In the linebacker corp, Wisconsin junior T.J. Edwards leads the front 7 of the defense, with senior Jack Cichy out all season. Junior JUCO transfer OLB Andrew Van Girkel has become a key performer, out of Iowa Western C.C. and Rock Valley, Iowa.

Two of the best cornerbacks in the Big Ten will be on the field today

Iowa first-year starting, junior CB Joshua Jackson and Wisconsin junior, Hawaii transfer CB Nick Nelson lead the conference in pass breakouts and are among the top two CBs in the nation this season. Jackson pulled off a hat trick with three of the four interceptions during last week's Iowa-Ohio State game. Iowa opened last week's game with a Pick 6 by sophomore SS Amani Hooker.

The Big Ten has the nation's top two cornerbacks per PFF College Football,
as Iowa's Joshua Jackson and Wisconsin's Nick Nelson rate 1-2.

The Wisconsin Badgers have been very consistent over the past ten seasons with the #10 record in all of College Football. The Badgers are off to a 9-0 start and are seeking first ten win start in program history. The last opportunity was in 2004, when the Badgers opened 9-0, then lost back to back Big Ten games against Michigan State and Iowa to close regular season.

45-43-2 Wisconsin leads the series, coming off last year's 17-9 game.
The Heartland Trophy is on the line in Camp Randall today ...

The Hawkeyes are hoping to start a three game losing streak, since Iowa needs help in dethroning the Badgers on pace for their third Big Ten West division title in four seasons. Northwestern is needing help, as well. So, an interesting final three weeks ahead ...

Keys to the game ...

• QB play on both sides ... which QB plays with more composure and with fewer turnovers
• Running game and explosive plays, the Badgers have broke open this series lately with B1G plays
• Coaching staff adjustments and performances, who puts team in better position
• Weather in Madison today ...

Iowa's QB Nate Stanley won honors in his first road start. However, the Hawkeyes
offense was not on track in his first two Big Ten road games. What happens today?

Prediction in the Iowa @ Wisconsin game today ...

• Iowa Hawkeyes 18
• Wisconsin Badgers 13

... thoughts in this one are QB Nate Stanley puts it together in his third B1G road game, as Iowa's defense puts enough pressure on QB Alex Hornibrook, leading to another B1G turnover ...

Big Ten pecking order in the College Football Playoff ratings ...

Iowa remains undefeated headed into Black Friday date @ Nebraska, after 40-20 win over Purdue

Iowa City, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (11-0, 7-0 B1G West) clinched the Big Ten West division title with a 40-20 win over Purdue (2-9, 1-6 B1G West) on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. The first winter storm of the year hit Iowa City on Friday night, but by kickoff the skies cleared and Sunshine was shining on and over the field, as C.J. Beathard won his career start as Iowa's staring signal caller.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is 12-0 now, as a starter, dating back to his
first start of his career @ Purdue in 2014, and his 11 straight starts, leading to
Hawkeye wins in 2015. Beathard's mobility is coming back for the 2nd straight
game, as the Hawkeyes pulled away from Purdue with a 40-20 win.

Last year, the Hawkeyes opened the Big Ten season with a 24-10 win over Purdue in West Lafeyette, with Beathard making his first career start as a signal caller. This year, Beathard made his second career start with another win over the Boilermakers, as the Hawkeyes continue their 2015 season undefeated.

Iowa opened the game with a touchdown runs by
RB #29 LeShun Daniels, Jr., who is playing well, after
an ankle injury against Iowa State earlier in the season.

The Hawkeyes for the second straight week at Kinnick Stadium found an opponent seeking the football to begin the game. After the Hawkeyes forced back to back three and outs on defense, Iowa opened the game with back to back touchdown drives and a 14-0 lead over Purdue.

“To me, he (Beathard) is the difference from last year to this year. I said that this week. I thought they ran the ball well last year, but they weren’t getting the plays out of the quarterback. He makes a lot of plays; he is just slippery enough to hurt you. He’s making a lot of plays and not turning the ball over,” said third year Purdue coach Darrell Hazell.

Iowa defeated Minnesota 40-35, and Purdue 40-20 to wrap up the season 7-0 at Kinnick Stadium. Dating back to the 40-10 win @ Northwestern, now #20 in the CFP poll, the Hawkeyes have won five straight Big Ten games by scoring at least 30 points. A Hawkeye team has never accomplished five straight wins scoring 30+ points, until this season.

Iowa is 11-0 for the first time in school history. The Hawkeyes clinched their first West division, for the first time, since the Big Ten broke into divisions in 2011, when Nebraska joined the Big Ten.

Next up for Iowa, Nebraska on Black Friday, with a 2:30 CST kickoff on ABC. The Huskers are 5-6, 3-4 in B1G West, but are coming off a bye week and back to back wins over Michigan State, now #9 in the CFP poll and leading the B1G East) and @ Rutgers.

Congratulations to the Senior Class of 2015 Iowa Hawkeyes, 11-0 and Big Ten
West Division Champions at 7-0 in the Big Ten West. The fifth year seniors
were 7-6,4-8, 8-5 and 7-6 heading into the 2015 season, so 11-0 is a great turnaround
for the Iowa Hawkeyes under Kirk Ferentz, in his 17th season as head coach.

The Hawkeyes saw 21 seniors enter the field for the final time in the 40-20 win over Purdue. More importantly, they leave Iowa West Division Champions. When these fifth year seniors arrived in Iowa City in 2011, they finished 7-6, 4-8, 8-5 and 7-6 ahead of their final season.

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri lead the Iowa ground game with 95 yards,
including a 42 yard run for a touchdown to cap the 40 points for the Hawkeyes.

Ironically, on November 21, 1981, the Hawkeyes clinched a Big Ten title with a win over Michigan State, during coach Kirk Ferentz's first season, as an offensive line coach, under former head coach Hayden Fry. It was a cold day at Kinnick Stadium, 34 years ago. The trophy was different on Saturday, but it was another warm feeling on a cold day at Kinnick.

The Hawkeyes opened the 1981 season with a win over Nebraska and, on Black Friday, the Hawkeyes face the same program to close out Ferentz's 26th regular season as a coach, his 17th as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The defending champions fall in Columbus, as Michigan State beat Ohio State
17-14, as Urban Meyer fails to game plan for a team that offers an elite RB.
Meyer's teams have a love for mobile quarterback and passing games, rather
than leading through a prototypical RB on the Big Ten gridiron.

Michigan State may be the program that will close out the Big Ten East in 2015. They pulled off a B1G win on Saturday at Ohio State, with a walk off field goal for a 17-14 win over the defending Big Ten and College Football Playoff champion Buckeyes.

Iowa senior captain, FS #27 Jordan Lomax delivers his head coach, Kirk Ferentz,
the 2015 Big Ten West Division trophy, after the win against Purdue on Saturday.

Iowa is in ... the Big Ten Championship Game, but the road to the College Football Playoff spot rides on an upcoming game against Nebraska at Lincoln.

Can Kirk Ferentz and his 2015 Iowa Hawkeyes turnaround, after celebrating their
first Big Ten West Division title to take care of business in Lincoln on Black Friday?

"Today we won by 20, but it didn't feel like that," said Ferentz said. "We got off to a great start in the game and then Purdue grabbed momentum. It was a 20-25 minute period where they had us on our heels a bit, but our guys fought back."

"I am proud of our football team. We're thrilled and proud of our players. They've done a great job responding to the challenges week-in and week-out and all season long. It has been the nature of things, and today we had more of those to face."

Purdue backup QB #12 Austin Appleby, as Iowa sophomore DT #99 Nathan
Bazata applies some pleasure for the Hawkeyes on Saturday. Iowa did
record one QB sack early, by redshirt freshman Parker Hesse.

Purdue outgained Iowa, 405-387, in the game, throwing for 268 and rushing for 137 yards. The Hawkeyes were balanced with seven rushers accounting for 174 yards on the ground, while Beathard completed 12-of-20 attempts for 213 yards, while matching a career-high with three touchdowns.

Iowa scored six touchdowns and Purdue was held to two big field goals, rather than touchdowns, which would have made it a far more interesting game. Iowa also benefited from an early fumble.

Iowa leaned at times on tight ends, as senior TE #80 Henry Kreiger Coble picks
up a first down. He scored his first TD in Kinnick Stadium in Saturday's win.

In many ways, one could suggest Purdue was a good trap game between two important trophy games for the Hawkeyes, with Minnesota and at Nebraska. The Boilermakers close out the 2015 season with their own trophy game with Indiana, who won at Maryland 47-28, as the Hoosiers finally picked up a B1G win for the season.

“They are a good football team -- from top to bottom. I felt that way coming in and I still feel that way. They just do what they do and they do it well. They don’t panic; they continue to run the zone if they get stopped, they come back with the naked (bootleg) just when you think you have them stopped in the run game. They make plays and are playing confidently right now.” - Purdue coach Darrel Hazell on the Iowa team.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are 10-0 for the first time in 126 years, after 40-35 win over Minnesota

The Iowa Hawkeyes walk over to receive the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, after a
40-35 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday night at Kinnick
Stadium. The Hawkeyes have taken on a very business-like approach in 2015.

Iowa City, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes are 10-0 for the first time in program history, with a 40-35 win over Minnesota (4-6, 1-5, B1G West). The Hawkeyes first kicked off in college football in 1889, but after one previous attempt, in 2009, the Hawkeyes move to 6-0 in the B1G West and 10-0 overall, for the first time.

After last year's 51-14 debacle in Minneapolis, the Hawkeyes rebounded and
brought home Floyd of Rosedale to bring Kirk Ferentz's record to 11-6 in the
series against the Golden Gophers, since he became head coach in 1999.

On Sunday, the two major polls moved Iowa up to #6 in the nation. The Hawkeyes were ranked #5 in the second College Football Playoff poll and will find on Tuesday night how they stack up in the CFP race. Only Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma State and Iowa remain undefeated in 2015 among Power 5 conference programs. Houston is the only remaining non-Power 5 unbeaten program in 2015.

The first night game ever in November in Kinnick Stadium was a sellout.
The entire weekend was special with men's and women's basketball games
on Friday and Sunday, in between the wrestling and football games at Kinnick
on Saturday. Iowa went 6-0 in all of the events, with the football game the highlight.

The 75 points combined for both teams on Saturday night was the third most in series history, which is now at 109 meetings. The series with the Golden Gophers is the most played series for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Since 1935, when the trophy was introduced, the Hawkeyes are now 37-43-2 against Minnesota. The win over Minnesota capped off an historic day at Kinnick Stadium.

Ahead of Saturday night's game between Iowa-Minnesota in Football; the
Iowa wrestling team made NCAA history with the largest wrestling match
defeating #1 Oklahoma State to kickoff the 2015-16 wrestling season.

"We're certainly really excited to get the victory tonight for obvious reasons. We talked to our guys about staying humble and staying hungry all week long, and really that just gets right to the point of being prepared. Working on their preparation and keeping the right things in focus," said Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz. 

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard continues to add to his winning record, now 11-0
as a Hawkeye starting signal caller. Beathard ran for 2 TDs, on 50 yards rushing,
then was 18 for 26 for an additional 213 yards passing in the 40-35 win.

"I can't compliment our players and our staff, especially our players, enough for doing that. They just did a great job this week. We expected this to be a tough, hard-fought football game. It was. It was a physical football game, and at the end of the day it was just a great team victory for us. The guys played off each other, complimented each other, and it did a lot of great things out there," Ferentz shared, after the emotional and electric game on Saturday night.

Iowa junior RB #29 LeShun Daniels, Jr. had a career game with 26 carries,
195 yards and three TDs on the ground, including a 51 yard TD to end Iowa's
scoring for the evening. He finished 5 yards short of becoming the third Iowa
running back to run for 200 yards and at least 3 TDs in a game, in 2015.

"So as we move forward right now, that puts us one step closer to doing some good things. Makes us 2-0 in November, which obviously we're thrilled about. And my son-in-law was kind enough to share a little history with me about this series yesterday, and it's interesting. We're almost to the day, 76 years ago was the first time The University of Iowa actually won the trophy for the Rosedale Trophy, and that was 1939, coincidentally a pretty good football team. So it was a great outing all in all. Really proud of our guys," Ferentz discussed, after the game.

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri returned for the first time, after suffering
an ankle injury during the Northwestern game. Iowa's leading rusher on the
season, ran for 31 yards in his return. He will be one of 21 seniors seeking
to play their final game at Kinnick Stadium on Senior Day this Saturday.

"Just want to comment about the environment. The fans were fantastic. Sold out, black-out crowd, and the energy was present from the time we came up pregame. Just an electric atmosphere. To be involved in this program 26 years now, these are the things our players will remember their entire lives. So just want to compliment our fans and thank them. Hope I see all 70-plus thousand of them next Saturday to send these seniors off," Ferentz said.

Iowa's Kinnick Stadium during the "Blackout Game" against Minnesota.

"We have a great senior class getting ready to play their last game at Kinnick Stadium," Ferentz said. This is the first Iowa team ever to reach 10-0 on a season. The leadership from the seniors has been outstanding, along with the chemistry developed, after Ferentz named junior QB C.J. Beathard the starting signal caller, after the bowl loss in January.

Tight ends played a big role by both teams on Saturday night. Here, Iowa senior
TE #80 Henry Krieger Coble heads up field against the Golden Gophers.

Offense assumed a lead role Saturday as the Hawkeyes won their 10th consecutive game to start a season for the first time in school history. Iowa ran 75 plays for 506 yards with no turnovers. The Hawkeyes have scored more than 30 points in four consecutive Big Ten Conference games for the first time.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard has been a huge reason for Iowa's 10-0
start in 2015. Though he was injured late in the game again, the game
against Minnesota has been the most productive using his feet and arm,
together, since the groin injury against Illinois. Beathard re-injured his hip.

“We have to give Iowa credit,” Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys said. “They controlled the line of scrimmage in the middle. That was the difference in the game.”

Purdue rfrosh QB #11 David Blough was 26 of 45 for 285 yards, with a touchdown
and interception, as the Boilermakers came up short 21-14 @ Northwestern
on Saturday.  Purdue won the 2012 game @ Iowa, 27-24, for the first win in Iowa City
in 20 years for the Boilermakers. From 1961 to 1980, Purdue won ever game in the series.

The Hawkeyes look for win No. 11 with an 11 a.m. CST start on Saturday, Nov. 21 against Purdue. The Boilermakers are 2-8 overall, 1-5 in the B1G West. The Hawkeyes are 6-0 in the B1G West, seeking to win the division outright. The game will be televised on ESPN 2 on Saturday.

The dean of the Big Ten, in his 26th season as a coach, 17th year as a head coach,
has lead Iowa to the best start in program history, at 10-0 overall. He is 6-0 in the
conference and seeking to finish 8-0 for the second time (2002) in program history.

Ferentz said, after the win over Minnesota, "We want to win it outright. That's our goal. But to win the game next week and clinch a bid, that would be fantastic. So that will be our goal tomorrow. We'll turn our sights on our next opponent. There is nothing easy in the conference. I know that. But we'll worry about that tomorrow. Tonight we'll enjoy this one and hopefully we'll get things ahead."

Purdue junior WR #7 DeAngelo Yancey is one of the playmakers in third year
coach Darrell Hazell's offense. Purdue's lone win came at home, against
Iowa's final Big Ten opponent, Nebraska. The Boilermakers won 55-45 against
the Cornhuskers for their lone B1G win on the season.

Purdue is up next on Saturday. The Boilermakers did win the last time the game was played at Kinnick Stadium, back in 2012. It was the first win by Purdue in Iowa City, in twenty years.

The Iowa fan base played a huge role in Iowa's Saturday night performance.
The crowd was electric all night, with Iowa taking home the trophy.

Game Day Saturday: November 14th: Battle for Floyd of Rosedale and much, much more ...

Iowa City, IA -- The #5 Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0, 5-0 B1G West) are going for history tonight, as they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-4 B1G West), in the first night game at Kinnick Stadium, in the month of November. Ahead of tonight's football game, the Iowa wrestling team hits the mat in Kinnick Stadium for the Grapple in Kinnick against Big 12 rival Oklahoma State.

The Floyd of Rosedale traveling trophy is at stake on Saturday night at Kinnick. The bronze pig currently resides in Minneapolis as a result of Minnesota’s 51-14 win a year ago. The teams have battled for Floyd of Rosedale since a bet between the governors of the two states in 1935. Minnesota holds a 43-36-2 advantage with Floyd of Rosedale on the line.

OVER 100,000 EXPECTED ON SATURDAY
The Minnesota at Iowa football game on Saturday night is sold out, with a crowd of 70,585 expected. Earlier on Saturday, the Iowa wrestling program will host Oklahoma State in a dual meet in Kinnick Stadium to start the season. Over 35,000 tickets have been sold in advance of the 11 a.m. wrestling event.

"As a competitor, any time you lose like that it's embarrassing and you have a bitter taste in your mouth," said Iowa senior center Austin Blythe. "This week we understand who the opponent is and what's at stake. Preparing like we have the last nine weeks is big for us and it will help us go out and play well Saturday."

"This is a special team and we have a special thing going right now. We just have to continue to play well and win." - Iowa junior quarterback C.J. Beathard

The Hawkeyes have enjoyed nine "team wins" this season; Blythe called last year's debacle in Minnesota a "team loss."

"We have done a better job handling all the things that a football game can throw at you and understand that we have to play as an entire unit to be successful," Blythe said. "It is understanding that it is another opportunity to go out and win a game against a good opponent. This game means something, but we're going to prepare like every other week and try to get that W."

• #11 Florida at South Carolina 11:00 am on ESPN - No Steve Spurrier on either sidelines anymore, as the Gators and the Gamecocks square off in the SEC East on Saturday ...
• Georgia at Auburn 11:00 am on CBS - Neither team is ranked anymore, as the SEC East vs. West is simply for individual bragging rights in this one!
• Kansas at #15 TCU 11:00 am on FS1 - The Horned Frogs fell last Saturday in November, so they should enjoy a score fest over the Jayhawks, as they are thankful that college basketball has now tipped off for 2015-16 ...
• Maryland at #13 Michigan State 11:00 am on ESPN2 - The Spartans fell in Lincoln on a play that made a lot of headlines over contact and forced out ... but, they control on destiny with final 3 in the B1G East ...
• Middle Tennessee at Florida Atlantic 11:00 am on CSCA / ASN (affiliates) - The Middle, yes CUSA middle East match up ...
• North Texas at Tennessee 11:00 am on SEC Network - Hey, Colin Cowherd, what is your thought of this match up in November ... SEC vs. North Texas here!
• #3 Ohio State at Illinois 11:00 am on ABC / espn3 - in 2007, the Fighting Illini pulled off the upset over the Buckeyes. Bowl games are on the line, but no Rose for the Illini this go around ...
• Pittsburgh at Duke 11:00 am on ESPN News - several weeks ago, both of these programs were enjoying their season position in the Coastal ACC, but each is now 6-3 on the season!
• Purdue at #18 Northwestern 11:00 am on BTN - the Boilermakers did win a B1G game this season, but another win here would be B1G for Darrell Hazell's tenure and team ...
• Texas at West Virginia 11:00 am on ESPNU - The Longhorns looking for a big win on the road in the Big 12 ...
• Tulane at Army 11:00 am on CBSSN - In light of the tragic events in Paris on Friday night; college students gather to play football across the landscape of college football ... our service academies play a bigger role in the landscape!
• UTEP at Old Dominion 11:00 am on FSN Affiliates - West vs. East against two 2-3 C-USA teams playing on the East Coast ...
• North Carolina State at #16 Florida State 11:30 am on ACC Network - Can the Wolfpack pull off an upset in Seminoles Country?
• Virginia at Louisville 11:30 am on espn3 / FSN Affiliates / ACC-RSN - The Cardinal become bowl eligible with a win in the ACC Coastal vs. Atlantic showdown ...
• UMass at Eastern Michigan 2:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 - 0-5 in the MAC East vs. 0-6 in the MAC West ... two cellar dwellers for a rare conference win on the line ...
• Washington at Arizona State 2:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - Neither program is in the Top 25, as each is 2-4 in their Pac 12 division and 4-5 overall ... bowl opportunities on the line?
• #2 Alabama at #17 Mississippi State 2:30 pm on CBS - The Crimson Tide owns this series basically in the SEC West ... it would be a huge upset, if the Tide go down in MS today, as someone's win streak is falling today!
• #1 Clemson at Syracuse 2:30 pm on ABC / ESPN2 / espn3 - The ACC Atlantic has been won by the Tigers already; so the Orange will try to make a name for themselves knocking off the College Football Playoff #1.
• Florida International at Marshall 2:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - Marshall still controls their destiny in the C-USA East, despite one conference loss ...
• Georgia Southern at Troy 2:30 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 - One is 4-1 and the home team is 2-3 in the Sun Belt ... contender vs. spoiler alert?
• Kansas State at Texas Tech 2:30 pm on FS1 - The Wildcats are 0-5 in the Big 12, while the Red Raiders are 2-5, so someone is getting their sixth conference loss for 2015 ...
• Miami-FL at #23 North Carolina 2:30 pm on ESPNU - The top team in the Coastal is 5-0 and seeking a date in the ACC Championship Game, while the Hurricane are 3-2 chasing the leader ...
• #14 Michigan at Indiana 2:30 pm on ABC / ESPN2 / espn3 - The 0-5 Hoosiers in the B1G East face a 4-1 Wolverines team needing help to get back into the hunt for the Big Ten Championship Game ... can the Hoosiers finally finish a 4th quarter with a win?
• Nebraska at Rutgers 2:30 pm on BTN - Momentum may be the edge the Huskers need in this B1G West vs. East showdown in the State of New Jersey ... we shall see on Saturday! 
• #8 Oklahoma State at Iowa State 2:30 pm on ESPN - The Cyclones are 1-5, since 2008, with the lone win in 2011 in a 2 OT game ... average win by 27 points for Cowboys!
• SMU at #20 Navy 2:30 pm on CBSSN - The Naval Academy are playing well against a Mustangs group win less in conference play ...
• Wake Forest at #4 Notre Dame 2:30 pm on NBC - The Fighting Irish ...
• Georgia State at Texas State 3:00 pm on  espn3 / TWC TX (cable) - A battle of two 1-3 Sun Belt teams in the Lone Star State ...
• Kentucky at Vanderbilt 3:00 pm on SEC Network - The Wildcats and Commodores fan bases are likely excited about college basketball tipping off for 2015-16 ...
• #21 Memphis at #24 Houston 6:00 pm on ESPN2 - Big, big game in the American West, as the winner works to stay on pace with Navy in the West ...
• #22 Temple at South Florida 6:00 pm on CBSSN - Temple leads by two games in the Amercian East over USF ... upset alert in South Florida?
• UNLV at Colorado State 6:00 pm on RSRM / RSNW - Battle of 2-3 MWC East vs. West ...
• Western Carolina at Texas A&M 6:00 pm on ESPNU - Well, nothing like a FCS vs. SEC showdown in the month of November in College Football ...
• Arkansas at #9 LSU 6:15 pm on ESPN / espn3 Skycam - The Boot is on the line, as the Razorbacks seek to knock off the Tigers in Baton Rouge to become bowl eligible like the majority in the SEC West ...
• BYU vs. Missouri 6:30 pm on SEC Network - It will be an emotional game for the Tigers in Arrowhead Stadium, but with all that has unfolded, the visitor may have the upper hand in this one ...
• Oregon at #7 Stanford 6:30 pm on FOX - Defense wins championships, so the Cardinal should have the upper hand facing the Ducks in Pac 12 play on Saturday!
• Tulsa at Cincinnati 6:30 pm on ESPN News - Battle of 2-3 American West vs. East on Saturday night ...
• Minnesota at # 5 Iowa 7:00 pm on BTN - The Hawkeyes are seeking the first 10-0 start in program history, as the Battle for Floyd of Rosedale has favored Iowa in 10 of last 13 games played in the series ... our pick: Iowa 31, Minnesota 9
• #12 Oklahoma at #6 Baylor 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 - A huge, huge Big 12 showdown in Waco, as the Sooners have lost two straight and 3 or last 5 in series ...
• #10 Utah at Arizona 9:00 pm on FS1 - The Utes are having a strong season and plenty to play for, while the Wildcats can play role of spoiler in Tucson tonight ...
• New Mexico at Boise State 9:15 pm on ESPNU - The Broncos should take care of business at home ...
• Oregon State at California 9:30 pm on PAC-12 Network - The Bears are better than the Beavers ...
• Wyoming at San Diego State 9:30 pm on CBSSN - The Aztecs seeking to remain unbeaten in the MWC West ...
• Washington State at #19 UCLA 9:45 pm on ESPN - Bruins take care of business at home in Rose Bowl?
• Akron at Miami-OH 11:00 am on ASN (affiliates) / espn3 - The Zips seek to stay ahead of the RedHawks on the road in the MAC ...
• Appalachian State at Idaho 4:00 pm on espn3 - The Vandals seek to play spoiler in Sun Belt ...
• Arkansas State at Louisiana Monroe on 2:00 pm espn3 - 5-0 road team @ 0-5 home team in the Sun Belt ... upset doesn't seem likely here ...
• Fresno State at Hawaii 10:00 pm on  MWC Video / (Oceanic / KSEE) (cable) - could be lone hope for Rainbow Warriors for conference win in 2015?
• San Jose State at Nevada 3:00 pm on MWC Video - Battle of two 3-2 MWC West teams ...
• Southern Miss at Rice 2:30 pm on ASN (affiliates) - Contender @ spoiler in the C-USA West ...

Tuesday, Iowa was named #5 in CFP poll; Wednesday, Veterans Day was celebrated across America, ahead of Saturday night's Battle for Floyd of Rosedale ...

The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrating after winning their 9th victory on the 2015 season,
at Indiana on Saturday. It was the fourth road victory of the year against a Power 5
program for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa City, IA -- It has been a positive week heading into Saturday's return to Kinnick Stadium for the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes. After last Saturday's 35-27 win at Indiana to propel Iowa to 9-0 for the second time in program history, the Hawkeyes were named #5 on Tuesday night, when the second College Football Playoff poll was announced. There was plenty of Iowa talk on Veterans Day, as the sports talking heads continued their conversations on the Hawkeyes and the new CFP ratings.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are #5, just outside the Final 4, in the second College Football
Playoff poll of 2015. The Hawkeyes will host Minnesota on Saturday night.

Iowa's run to a 9-0 start, 5-0 in the B1G West has been felt in all three phases of the game. 

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is the first Hawkeye signal caller to open 10-0
as a starter in the history of the program. Five wins on the road and five at home.

On offense:

• Iowa has the third most balanced offensive production in FBS. The Hawkeyes have 3,708 total yards -- 1,845 yards rushing, 1,863 yards passing. (Kent State 1,323/1,323; Auburn 1,700/1,712)
• Iowa has 25 rushing touchdowns, second in the Big Ten (Ohio State, 26) and ninth nationally
• Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten with 13 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards. The Hawkeyes had 12 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards all of last season, and 13 such plays in 2012 and 2013 combined

The Hawkeyes have really improved in 2015, after a 7-6 record, last season.
The #1 area to look at for Iowa has been the development of the defensive unit.

On defense:

• Iowa has allowed just three rushing touchdowns; No. 1 nationally
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in takeaways (20), interceptions (13) and turnover margin (+11)
• Iowa allows 16.6 points per game. Among the five other unbeaten FBS schools, only Ohio State allows fewer points (15.0)

Iowa junior Desmond King has become an effective special team player in
2015, leading the Hawkeyes in punt and kick returning.

On special teams:

• Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard game-winning field goal vs. Pitt is the second longest in school history and the second longest in FBS this season
• Iowa’s two-man punt team of seniors Dillon Kidd (43.3) and Marshall Koehn (46.2) rank fourth in the Big Ten averaging 42.6 yards per punt
• Junior Desmond King averages 12.9 yards per punt return, No. 3 in the Big Ten, and 23.6 yards on KO returns, No. 6 in the Big Ten

Saturday is Military Appreciation Day at Kinnick Stadium

One of the University of Iowa football team's most famous alums is 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick. The first Hawkeye football player to earn first-team All-America honors was Fred Becker in 1916.

Both were United States veterans and both lost their lives serving in the military. Becker was killed in active duty in 1918 during World War I; Kinnick died during a training flight while serving as a United States Navy aviator during World War II.

Iowa's Nile Kinnick, the 1939
Heisman Trophy winner joined
the U.S. Navy as an aviator.
He was lost at sea in 1943.

Saturday's game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-4 B1G West) is designated as Military Appreciation Day in honor of Veterans Day. The University of Iowa and its Veterans Association has organized events to honor veterans associated with the university and Hawkeye community.

Iowa students Jacob Stone and Sheena Anderson were among the participants in a Veterans Association 280-mile ruck march that brought the game ball from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to Kinnick Stadium to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Stone is a veteran of the U.S. Marines, Anderson is a U.S. Army veteran.

Participants marched in teams of three while carrying ruck sacks weighing 22 pounds, a symbol of the 22 veterans who take their own lives by suicide each day. The 57 members of the ruck march will form the tunnel the Hawkeyes swarm through onto the field for Saturday's game.

Thank you to our Veterans, as Kinnick Stadium celebrated a past Military
Appreciation Day, as Saturday night's game will celebrate ...

The Iowa football program and the Army ROTC also identified five distinguished veterans -- all Iowa graduates or former cadre -- to serve as the traditional color guard. The five individuals selected are: Colonel G. Dave Lewis, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brothers, Lieutenant Colonel Brad Cook, Master Sergeant David J. Stoen, and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Coble.

The on-field events come on the heels of a Tickets for Troops initiative that was rolled out earlier this fall. The UI partnered with fans, giving them an option to purchase tickets at a reduced price and donate them to active duty and veteran military members to attend Saturday's game at no cost.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 10-5 against Minnesota, as a head coach.

The battle for the Floyd of Rosedale begins at 7:12 p.m. (CST) on Saturday night, in prime time for Iowa-Minnesota. The game, which is sold out, will be televised on BTN. It is the first November night game in Hawkeye history. It is the 80th anniversary of first battle for Floyd of Rosedale, back in 1935.

Minnesota DC Tracy Claeys was named
head coach on Wednesday of the Golden
Gophers, after 20 years as an assistant
with Jerry Kill, who stepped down, due
to health issues two weeks ago.

Minnesota has chosen to elevate Tracy Claeys as the permanent replacement for Jerry Kill, who resigned, prior to the Gophers games with Michigan and Ohio State, two weeks ago. After an 0-2 start, as an interim coach, Claeys was given a three year contract, beginning in 2016.

"They're playing better this year (Iowa), there's no question. They've kind of gelled. Things are going their way. It will be a tremendous challenge. At the same time, being a trophy game, our kids will be excited. I expect us to play well. It will be a tough environment," said Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys ahead of the Iowa game.

The Gophers and Hawkeyes battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
Minnesota beat Iowa 51-14 in Minneapolis, last season, which
was the most lop-sided loss for the Hawkeyes, since 1949.

"Offensively they've got a veteran quarterback who's a really good football player. They're a big, physical group up front like they traditionally are. Good backs, good receivers, so that's going to be a big challenge for our team," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

Minnesota junior QB #7 Mitch Leidner leads the Golden Gophers offense.
He is a threat both running and passing the football for Minnesota.

"Then flipping it on the other side of the football, they're very aggressive defensively, run very well at all positions, extremely good in the secondary. I know they feel great about those guys, and rightfully so," Ferentz said this week, ahead of the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.

The strength of Golden Gophers defense is three returning starters in the
secondary. A match-up to watch will be Iowa's passing game vs. Minnesota,
including one of the top cornerback units in the Big Ten, with seniors #29 Brian
Boddy-Calhoun and #31 Eric Murray, who were 1st and 2nd team respectively.

"And then special teams wise they have two of the better specialists you're going to find in the conference. They're a very, very good football team, and we're going to have a big challenge on our hands," said Ferentz.

Last year, Maxx Williams was a highlight reel against Iowa. He has departed
to the NFL. Sophomore TE Brandon Lingen had a personal high 111 yards
on five catches against Michigan in the 29-26 loss for the Gophers. The
Golden Gophers took Michigan down to the final play and came up short.

"November as I said earlier is a big month, certainly a big month for any college football team. Certainly it is for us, and to be back in Kinnick is really special, and to be there in a night game is always a special thing," said Ferentz.

On Tuesday, the second College Football Playoff poll was announced.

"Twenty-sixth year now being involved in Kinnick Stadium. It never gets old. It's just a very, very special place to play college football. We'll have a great environment Saturday night. There's no doubt about that. But that being said, the fans can't play the game, just like when we're on the road, the opposing fans don't decide the game. It's going to get decided on the field, so we're going to have to have a great week of preparation. We'll have to be ready to go at kickoff against this team. We've got our work cut out and we've been working on that, and we look forward to trying to finish the week out well." - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz

Iowa will host a "Blackout" game on Saturday night, with an all-black
alternate uniform for the Hawkeyes to breakout and attempt to reach 10-0
for the first time in Iowa football history.

Can Iowa make history on Saturday night, reaching 10-0 for the first time in program history?

"We'll find out Saturday because we've got a real big challenge and we're going to have to really have a good week of preparation. That's really the best way to get there, and we've tried to explain that to our players. Back during the bye week we told them to think big, but no matter how big they thought and whatever they may have been dreaming up, you can only get there week by week. That's about all you can control. I know it's boring and mundane. But for us to be focused or spend time on anything else right now is really counterproductive, and to me the best thing to do is worry about their academics, worry about the game plan, preparation, and maybe go on a date or something like that if they've got time. That's great, too. We just need to worry about this one because it's tricky sledding out there," said Ferentz on the historical game on Saturday night for Iowa.

Plenty of excitement surrounding the Iowa Football program this November.