How 'bout the Big Ten after Week 1 of the month of November?

Iowa Football 2015 vs. 2014

Who's In?

It will be determined soon enough, but rankings right now are likely going to shift, with teams falling and rising!

What about the Big Ten at this venture?

1. Ohio State (9-0, 5-0 B1G East) - the defending champions keep winning in Year 4 under coach Urban Meyer. He has won 29 straight regular season conference games, which ties a record with the ACC (Florida State was 29-0 from 1992-95).
2. Iowa (9-0, 5-0 B1G West) - the Hawkeyes are in the 17th season, under Kirk Ferentz and they are 9-0 for only the second time 
3. Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 B1G West) - Could the Badgers beat the Spartans or Wolverines right now? They will have a bye week to dare to dream! Next up: vs. Northwestern.
4. Michigan State (8-1, 4-1 B1G East) - the Spartans finally fall for the first time in 2015, as they tumble in Lincoln. The Spartans still control their future, since they have Maryland, @ Ohio State and Penn State ahead to close out the regular season in November.
5. Michigan (7-2, 4-1 B1G East) - the Wolverines need some more help with the Spartans, but they can win out, they can make the Big Ten title game, in year 1, under Jim Harbaugh, if they play an undefeated team down south?
6. Northwestern (7-2, 3-2 B1G West) - the Wildcats take care of business off a bye week, with a B1G win over the Nittany Lions and overcome some woes in the kicking game, with an under minute field goal ... as Purdue comes to Evanston.
7. Penn State (7-3, 4-2 B1G East) - a disappointing loss 23-21 @ Northwestern on Saturday, as the Nittany Lions enter a bye week, in year 2 under coach James Franklin. Franklin is now 0-3 vs. Northwestern, dating back to his final season at Vandy.
8. Illinois (5-4, 2-3 B1G West) - the Fighting Illini are one game away from another bowl season, as interim coach Bill Cubit awaits the biggest game of the season, as Ohio State comes to Champaign on Saturday ...
9. Nebraska (4-6, 2-4 B1G West) - the Cornhuskers pull off the last minute game, coming from a 12 point deficit to beat Michigan State in Lincoln 39-38 to help Mike Riley bounce back in year 1 of a new era ...
10. Rutgers (3-6, 1-5 B1G East) - the Scarlet Knights host the Cornhuskers on Saturday, before heading out of the non-conference for a November game @ Army.
11. Indiana (4-5, 0-5 B1G East) - the Hoosiers opened undefeated in non-conference play, but the conference has been another story. They still can win a bowl bid with Michigan, @ Maryland and @ Purdue to close out the 2015 College Football season.
12. Minnesota (4-5, 1-4 B1G West) - the Golden Gophers have been eliminated from the B1G West after falling back to back games vs. Michigan and @ Ohio State. They bring Floyd of Rosedale down to Iowa City for a B1G, rare night game in November at Kinnick ...
13. Maryland (2-7, 0-5 B1G West) - The Terrapins have an opportunity to move up with @ MSU, vs. IU and @ Rutgers to finish up final three games in the B1G East.
14. Purdue (2-7, 1-4 B1G West) - last year it was one win season for the Boilermakers in the B1G. It appears that the cellar may be the future dwelling position, as third year coach Darrell Hazell flops, after first win in conference.

Flashback: Iowa's win over Minnesota in 2012. Last game played in Iowa City,
Hawkeyes took down the Golden Gophers 31-13 on Homecoming. It was the first
year under new OC Greg Davis and DC Phil Parker. Iowa is 9-0 coming into this game.

Clemson jumps Ohio State in the AP Top 25 Poll, after win over Florida State 23-13 on Saturday

Cedar Rapids, IA -- So, the Big Ten loses the top spot, as Ohio State (9-0) beats Minnesota in Columbus, 28-14. The new AP College Football poll has Clemson (9-0) the new #1, after 23-13 home win over Florida State. The Tigers clinched the ACC Atlantic division title, with win over the Seminoles.

If played today, Clemson (9-0) would play North Carolina (8-1, 5-0 ACC
Costal), in the ACC Companionship game.

The latest College Football Playoff poll will be released on Tuesday night on ESPN. There will be some big games ahead in Week 11 of the 2015 College Football season.

Who's In heading into Week 11?

1. Alabama

2. Clemson

3. Ohio State

4. Notre Dame

The AP Top 25 Poll Top 4 (all receiving #1 votes)

1. Clemson

2. Ohio State

3. Alabama

4. Baylor

rest of the Top 25

The Big Ten lead by #2 Ohio State has six ranked teams heading into Week 11.

8. Iowa (9-0)

14. Michigan State (8-1)

15. Michigan (7-2)

23. Wisconsin (8-2)

24. Northwestern (7-2)

Football Recaps November 7th

Members of the 2013 Iowa team hoist home Floyd of Rosedale, after the victory
23-7 in Minneapolis. However, last year, the Golden Gophers took Floyd from
Iowa, in a win, at home in Minneapolis. Does Iowa win him back for 2015?

#8 Iowa (9-0, 5-0 B1G West) returns to action Saturday, Nov. 14, hosting Minnesota (4-5, 1-4 B1G West) at 7 p.m. (CST) inside Kinnick Stadium in a battle for Floyd of Rosedale. The Big Ten Network will have the broadcast on Saturday night.

The First Saturday of November is in the Books, with two remaining Big Ten and Big 12 undefeated teams remaining ...

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Who's In?

It will not really matter, until after December 5th and maybe December 12th, if Navy Academy keeps running the table ...

Here's our Top 4, after the First Saturday of November:

1. Alabama (8-1)

2. Clemson (9-0)

3. Ohio State (9-0)

4. Notre Dame (8-1)

#12 Oklahoma State beat #5 TCU 49-29 in Stillwater on Saturday.

Does Oklahoma State pass Iowa in the College Football Playoff poll, after the Cowboys' win in Stillwater over once, unbeaten TCU (8-1) in the Big 12? We will find out on Tuesday night, as two Big Ten and Big 12 teams remain unbeaten heading into Week 11 of the 2015 College Football season.

• Ohio State (9-0) @ Illinois this Saturday
• Iowa (9-0) host Minnesota this Saturday night
• Baylor (9-0) hosts Oklahoma this Saturday night
• Oklahoma State (9-0) @ Iowa State this Saturday

Nebraska junior WR #87 Brandon Reilly last second TD reception stands over MSU.

Nebraska (4-6) took down once, unbeaten #7 Michigan State (8-1) in Lincoln on Saturday night with a 39-38 win. The Cornhuskers jump out the Big Ten West cellar, at 2-4, with overcoming the 12 point deficit in the fourth quarter. The Spartans still control their own destiny at 4-1 in the B1G East, with Maryland, @ Ohio State and Penn State left in November.

Iowa 9-0, 5-0 B1G West in 2015 after Week 1 of November ...

The Hawkeyes are 9-0 for the second time in program history. For the second time in the Kirk Ferentz era, and the second time, after taking down Indiana, but this time around, it was in Bloomington, Indiana where the Hawkeyes pulled to 9-0 on the season.

Iowa @ Indiana was a hard fought game in Bloomington, as Iowa makes it
6 of last 7 in the Iowa-IU series, with a 35-27 win on Saturday over Hoosiers.

#9 (#10/#11 in the polls) Iowa (9-0, 5-0) defeated Indiana (4-5, 0-5), 35-27 Saturday at Memorial Stadium, in Bloomington. The Hawkeyes have won six of the last seven in the Iowa-IU sereis.

"First of all, just really proud of our football team. The way they competed today, it was really a big win for us, certainly, and something we've emphasized to our team is winning in November. Our best teams have done that and if you're going to compete at a championship level, that's really imperative. Guys did a great job competing out there today. I thought they really prepared well this week and certainly gutted it out and got the job done there in the 4th quarter. And I think if you look at the 4th quarter it's a bit representative of our football team. The defense came up with some big plays, the offense drove the ball when we really needed it, special teams factored in, and the team really responded throughout the course of the game. They did a good job to respond to whatever took place out there. Those are all positive." - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz

Iowa is 5-0 in the Big Ten for the third time under Kirk Ferentz. Iowa opened 5-0 in the Big Ten in 2009 (5-0) and 2002 (8-0). The next two weeks, Iowa will be back home at Kinnick Stadium to host Minnesota and Purdue.

For the second time in the Kirk Ferentz era, Iowa is 9-0 to kickoff a season.

Iowa has won five consecutive true road games for the first time since 2008-09. The Hawkeyes won a trip to the Orange Bowl in 2009. A 13-0 finish in 2015 may be the Hawkeyes' ticket for a return date in the Orange Bowl, since the 4th seed is slated for Miami this year.

The Hawkeyes keep rolling, while the Hoosiers are seeking their first B1G win of 2015. Next up for IU: vs. Michigan.

Iowa has scored 31 or more points six times this season, including the last three games. The Hawkeyes are averaging 27.5 in Big Ten games on offense and are giving up 12.8 yards on defense, second best in the Big Ten in 2015.

Iowa junior QB #16 goes over for a touchdown to close out scoring in the 2nd
quarter. Iowa took a 21-17 lead at the half, with less than 25 seconds remaining.
Despite the groin and hip injury, Beathard fought for each yard and scored.

Junior QB C.J. Beathard is 10-0 as Iowa’s starting quarterback, a record that includes a 5-0 mark on the road, a 5-0 mark at home, and a 6-0 mark in the Big Ten. Numbers include 162-of-278 passing for 2,076 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions, and 247 yards rushing with four rushing touchdowns. He is the first quarterback in school history to win his first nine career starts.

Iowa junior CB #14 Desmond King with his 8th interception on the 2015 season.
In the last two games against Indiana's QB Nate Sudfeld, Iowa had back to back
Pick 6 interceptions, but King has two interceptions now against Sudfeld in 2 wins.

Junior CB Desmond King recorded his eighth interception of the season in the fourth quarter. He leads the nation in the category and ties the Iowa school record for interceptions in a single season, joining Lou King (1981) and Nile Kinnick (1939). 

Iowa junior WR #89 Matt VandeBerg is the Hawkeyes go-to receiver for the
2015 offense, as the Hawkeyes reach 5-0 in the B1G West and 9-0 overall, with
the 35-27 win @ Indiana on Saturday. VandeBerg had 5 catches for 68 yards.

The 1981 season was extremely special in the modern era; the 2015 season is on a journey to reach the first-ever Big Ten Championship Game, if the Hawkeyes can finish it out in November? Iowa has a two-game lead in the Big Ten West, ahead of Wisconsin, who the Hawkeyes beat 10-6 to open the 2015 Big Ten season, in Madison. Last year, the Badgers finished 7-1 to win the Big Ten, but lost the Big Ten opener to Northwestern. This year, they need help by others.

Iowa Kirk Ferentz and the 2015 Hawkeyes before the game.

Senior PK Marshall Koehn scored five points today with five PATs. Koehn has 141 career points, 19th all-time. Ferentz chose to go for touchdowns on Saturday, rather than use his placekicker on fourth down for field goals. The Hawkeyes finished with five offensive touchdowns. They were stopped on fourth down, but not enough to change the outcome of the game.

Iowa sophomore RB #25 Akrum Wadley "next man in" on a 65 yard
touchdown run against Indiana to give Iowa a 7-0 lead in the opening minute.

Sophomore RB Akrum Wadley’s 65-yard touchdown run on Iowa’s first possession was a career long. Wadley rushed for 120 yards on 12 carries. He has two 100-yard rushing games this season, three in his career. Wadley was injured in the third quarter and did not return.

Junior RB LeShun Daniels had his first career multi-touchdown game. Daniels scored from four yards in the second quarter, and again from one yard in the fourth quarter. Iowa has had three running backs this season deal with ankle injuries.

Iowa junior RB #29 LeShun Daniels with one of his two touchdowns @ IU.

The Hawkeyes should have all four running backs back in action, as they head into next Saturday's night game with Minnesota.

Iowa senior WR #4 Tevaun Smith plays an important role in 2015.

Senior WR Tevaun Smith had 4 catches for 55 yards. He moved from 30th to 28th on Iowa’s all-time list for receiving yards (1,262). Smith was a victim of targeting late in the second quarter. He returned in the third quarter, despite the bumps and bruises to his back.

Iowa senior WR #17 Jacob Hillyer for one of his many important catches.

Senior WR Jacob Hillyer set career bests in receptions (4) and receiving yards (53). He has been very strong in the running game blocking this season, but this game, he really shined in the passing game.

Iowa defensive stats during the Hawkeyes 35-27 win @ Indiana.

Iowa sophomore MLB #43 Josey Jewell lead Iowa on Saturday on defense.

Sophomore MLB Josey Jewell had a team-high 15 tackles and 11 solo stops. Both are career-highs. He was a play-maker all over the field and is showing outstanding leadership, with the play calls for the Iowa defense in 2015.

The Iowa offense has taken care of business in the 4th quarter all season long.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz has 124 wins as a member of the Big Ten Conference, eighth all-time. Ferentz has 73 Big Ten wins, eighth all-time. Back in 1982, Iowa's game @ Indiana went down to a final stop at the Iowa 2 yard line to preserve a 24-20 Iowa win. Today, the game had far more on the line, but the Hawkeyes didn't allow it to get too close.

Indiana junior RB #8 Jordan Howard, the transfer from UAB, scored two
touchdown runs against Iowa on Saturday. He ran 22 times for 174 yards,
2 touchdowns, but was limited in the second half, after an outstanding 1st half.

Indiana won the toss and deferred to the second half. Iowa received the opening kickoff in eight of nine games this season (Wisconsin), and has outscored its opponents 50-16 in the first quarter. In 17 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentzand the Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff in 170-of-209 games (103-67). Iowa has started the game on defense in 39-of-209 games under Ferentz (21-18).

Indiana senior QB #7 Nate Sudfeld came up short again in 2015.

"Obviously, we've been competitive all season against the best teams in the nation, but I'm tired of being competitive," Indiana senior QB Nate Sudfeld said. "We're good enough, I know I'm a good enough player to win these games, and I know we have good enough players around us to outplay the teams we're playing against. It's up to us players."

Instant replay was used three times today.

• Indiana first down reception (confirmed)
• Indiana personal foul: targeting on Simmons (confirmed)
• C.J. Beathard touchdown rush (confirmed)

Scott Siepker ‏@scottsiepker  Nov 2

NEW VIDEO: Our reply to "Joe talks to his kids about an undefeated Iowa." #SECMyth #Hawkeyes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQnYfkDO5Ks …

Big Ten Game Day: All 14 B1G teams back on the field playing each other to kickoff November run ...

Bloomington, IN -- The biggest underdog in the Big Ten this season is #10 Iowa, who hits the road @ Indiana in their quest to reach 9-0 for the first time, since 2009, and to close out final four game undefeated, like 2002, when the Hawkeyes finished 8-0 in the Big Ten.

Yesterday, the Big Ten Network was talking about a Big Ten team going 13-0 on the season, but not reaching the College Football Playoff. Wow, an 12-1 Big Ten team made it last year, so how far has the Big Ten fallen? Four Big Ten teams are in the Top 25 AP poll.

#10 Iowa was 8-0 last in 2009. The Hawkeyes faced a 9th game
against Indiana, like they do this year, in 2015. Of course, in
2009, the #7 Hawkeyes defeated IU 42-24 in Iowa City.

Three Big Ten teams are undefeated, with #1 Ohio State ranked #3 in the first College Football Playoff poll, with #6 Michigan State (7th in the CFP) and #10 Iowa (9th in CFP) unblemished in the Win-Loss column, as well. The Big Ten has two other teams in the Top 25, with Michigan at #17 and Northwestern at #21.

November has arrived and the games getting bigger and bigger each week on the road to a conference title and determination of the 2nd annual College Football Playoff.

• Illinois (1-3 B1G West) at Purdue (1-3 B1G West) 11:00 am on BTN 

The Fighting Illini (4-4, overall) are tied with Purdue and Minnesota for fourth place in the Big Ten West. After winning the B1G opener 14-13 over Nebraska, the Illini have lost three straight, while Purdue is coming off a B1G 55-45 home win against the Cornhuskers. Who keeps from falling deeper in the the bottom of the division?

• Not a Big Ten Game: #8 Notre Dame at Pittsburgh 11:00 am on ABC - Former MSU DC Pat Narduzzi is in his first year as head coach. The Spartans won 31-14 over the Fighting Irish back in 2007, when he was a first year DC in East Lansing. Can he pull it off again now in Pittsburgh?

• Penn State (4-1 B1G East) at Northwestern (2-2 B1G West) 11:00 am on ESPNU 

Bragging rights in the first East vs. West game of the day, as the Nittany Lions (7-2, overall) travel to Evanston to take on the rested, Wildcats, as Northwestern  (6-2, overall) are coming off a bye week. Despite the 5-7 season last year, the Wildcats opened Big Ten play with a solid 29-6 win in Happy Valley in 2014 ... so, the Wildcats are seeking a rare back to back.

• FCS spotlight: Illinois State at South Dakota State 2:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 

• Iowa (4-0 B1G West) at Indiana (0-4 B1G East) 2:30 pm on ESPN

The Hawkeyes (8-0, overall) have a lot on the line on the road, heading to Bloomington to play the Hoosiers (4-4, overall). Who rises up and takes care of business in the moment? So far, Iowa has been king in the fourth quarter, where Indiana has struggled and lost four straight! Our Pick: Iowa 31, IU 17 ... similar to the Week 2 game for the Hawkeyes, on the road!

• Rutgers (1-4 B1G East) at #16 Michigan (3-1 B1G East) 2:30 am on BTN 

The Wolverines (6-2, overall) should take care of business over the Scarlet Knights (3-5, overall) to keep their Big Ten title hopes alive in Jim Harbaugh's first season at the helm, in Ann Arbor.

• Wisconsin (3-1 B1G East) at Maryland (0-4 B1G West) 2:30 pm on BTN 

This could be an interesting Homecoming Game for the Terrapins, as the defending West champions roll into College Park. The Badgers (7-2, overall) opened Big Ten play with an opening loss for the second straight season. East vs. West III for the Day!

• Big 12 Spotlight: Iowa State at Oklahoma 6:00 pm on ESPNU
• Michigan State at Nebraska 6:00 pm on ESPN / espn3 Skycam  
• SEC Spotlight: LSU at Alabama 7:00 pm on CBS 
• Minnesota at Ohio State 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 
• Pac 12 Spotlight: Arizona at USC 9:30 pm on ESPN

Can the Nebraska Cornhuskers circle the wagans, with #7 Michigan State coming to Lincoln?

The Huskers are 3-6 for the first time, since
1958. Before many College Football fans time,
but they have three more games to play,
with #7 Michigan State coming to Lincoln.

Lincoln, NE -- The Nebraska football team practiced on Tom Osborne Field in Memorial Stadium for just under 90 minutes in sweats Monday night.

Defensive Coordinator Mark Banker spoke to the media following practice highlighting some key contributors that, despite the loss, stepped up during the Purdue game, including true freshman safety Aaron Williams.

“Aaron Williams, nobody’s spoken about Aaron Williams,” Banker said. “Aaron Williams went in there last week as a true freshman, and I’ll tell you what, that young man showed up. He showed up in the pass game, he showed up in the run game."

"He got beat on a pass that they threw over the top. It was a good pass. It was 6-4 against 5-11, but he was there, he was in position, he was looking for the ball, trying to make a play on it and didn’t, but we’ll live with that.”

Banker did not overlook the fact that the Huskers face an undefeated #7 Michigan State (8-0, 4-0 B1G West) squad on Saturday led by senior quarterback Connor Cook.

Michigan State senior QB #18 Connor Cook is in his third season, as a starter.

“I see a very experienced, confident, very efficient quarterback,” Banker said. “He is a good football player; best quarterback we’ve faced all year. There’s absolutely no doubt. [He’s] smooth, 17 touchdowns, two interceptions, so obviously he’s doing something right, but very, very poised.”

Nebraska (3-6, 1-4 B1G West) welcomes the Spartans to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN. The Iowa-Indiana game from Bloomington will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN ahead of the nightcap in Lincoln.

On defense, Michigan State upfront is lead by senior DE #89 Shilique Calhoun
as the Spartans are coming off a bye week, after a 8-0 start in 2015.

Lincoln, NE -- The Nebraska football team is currently 3-6 in the first season under coach Mike Riley, who moved over from Oregon State for the 2015 College Football season. At 1-4 in the Big Ten West, the Cornhuskers are the first division team to be eliminated from the Big Ten Championship Game.

After a disappointing 55-45 road loss @ Purdue on Saturday, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, athletic director released a letter to the Husker faithful. By the way, the Boilermakers had not beat a FBS program all season, until the home win against the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska coach Mike Riley is in his first season, after replacing Bo Pelini,
who lost no more than 4 games, in each of his seven seasons in Lincoln.

Dear Husker Family,

Good morning.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to every Husker fan who has come to Memorial Stadium this season to cheer on the Big Red; who has traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to proudly wear the red and white in visiting stadiums; and who has passionately supported our student-athletes, our head coach, our assistant coaches and staff. Your support and patience as Mike Riley rebuilds our storied program one brick at a time mean the world to our young men, our staff and our university.

While many are understandably disappointed in the current record of the football team and the heartbreakingly close losses we have suffered, I am confident the future is bright because I see it in the eyes of our players, coaches and staff and I am impressed by what I know is going on behind the scenes. Our coaches are developing our student-athletes and, though the consistent victories are not there yet, I am confident they will come. I have witnessed how our young men battle every day in practice and fight to the finish on game days in the face of great adversity. Football can be a humbling game of inches and seconds and our players have laid everything on the line while making no excuses. The prospective student-athletes looking to make Nebraska home possess athletic talent, academic potential, and high character making for a bright future. Coach Riley has a vision and a plan and is committed to providing the Husker faithful with a sustained winner which will compete annually for championships.

As I have said many times, it is an honor and privilege to represent Nebraska, and I am humbled and care deeply about the men and women I have a chance to work with every day here. The incredible amount of hours they put in and the sacrifices they all make to represent Nebraska are truly remarkable. In two decades as a student-athlete and athletics administrator, I have had the opportunity to learn and work alongside some incredible people at five different institutions. What the best administrators and coaches have in common is a consistent commitment to teaching young minds to do things the right way and to instill a values system that emphasizes hard work, discipline, loyalty, teamwork, compassion and excellence. Those principles coupled with a positive attitude generally result in championships.

Your continued support is what makes Nebraska special and together, we will do great things. Thank you again for your incredible passion and support. We look forward to another home sellout and an electric environment on Saturday as we come together to cheer on our team against Michigan State.

Have a great week and Go Big Red!

Shawn Eichorst

Big Ten Week 10: Undefeated #10 Iowa travels to

Iowa (8-0, 4-0 B1G West) @ Indiana (4-4, 0-4 B1G East)

Bloomington, IN -- After eight games played in the 2015 season: one program is seeking their first conference win of the season, while the other program enters the week in the College Football Playoff conversation, as one of three Big Ten programs undefeated.

Indiana's helmet coordinates with a Veteran Day theme, as the Hoosiers get set to play their third Top 10 opponent in conference play. 

"Good open date. Some recruiting. It was a good week. Had a good practice last night, and play a very good Iowa team, very, very good," as Indiana coach Kevin Wilson and selected players met with the media Monday to preview the match-up with the Hawkeyes.

Indiana senior QB #7 Nate Sudfeld began as a starting QB, back when he was a
true freshman. Today, he is the full-time starter and leading the Big Ten in
passing yardage and passing efficiency in 2015.

Indiana is 4-4, 0-4 in the B1G East. The Hoosiers won its first four games of the season over Southern Illinois (48-47), Florida International (36-22), Western Kentucky (38-35) and Wake Forest (31-24). The Hoosiers have lost to Ohio State (34-27), Penn State (29-7), Rutgers (55-52) and Michigan State (52-26). One Power 5 win to open the 2015 season.

Iowa is 8-0, 4-0 in the B1G West. The Hawkeyes have wins over Illinois State (31-14), at Iowa State (31-17), Pittsburgh (27-24), North Texas (62-16), at Wisconsin (10-6), Illinois (29-20), at Northwestern (40-10) and Maryland (31-15). Three wins over Power 5 programs with at least six wins.

When asked about the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Indiana coach shared the following about facing his third undefeated opponent in Big Ten play:

To me, and I think our football guys will tell you just how consistent they play and as a group offense, defense, kicking, put it all together. Last game was an example of it's a 14-0 game, and right before the half they sky punt coffin corner to the three. Played three straight plays of shutdown D. Get a blocked punt that's deflected out to the 19, and they score and four plays later, three plays later. About an eight-, 10-play run of all phases from sky kick and the defense, and the punt return into that. Maryland scores to make it 21-7. They recovered an on-side kick. Iowa does. That is the third phase of that game in a kicking unit. It's 24-7, and Maryland's down, ready to score. There is an 80-yard interception return, 80-something on a wide receiver screen.

So you see them contributing in all phases. Running defense, running the ball very, very well. Quarterback's playing at a high level. Got a lot of nice weapons, like the way their offensive line and tight ends block and complement. Defensively playing really good run defense. Giving up 65, 70 yards a game, fourth in the country. Defensive back leads the country in pick returns. It's a team that's playing really, really good and well-coached as they always are.

In Big Ten play, both Indiana (28.0) and Iowa (27.5) average similar offensive scoring numbers. The contrast is on the other side the football, Iowa allows only 12.8, but Indiana has been allowing 42.5, for last in the conference.

Indiana coach Kevin Wilson is looking for his team to "play better" during the
second half of the 2015 Big Ten football season. Next up: vs. #10 Iowa.

The Indiana coach was asked about Iowa's new signal caller, junior QB C.J. Beathard, who Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz named a starter, after Iowa's 12th bowl in 16 seasons completed. Ferentz is off to his second 8-0 start in 17 seasons at Iowa.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is 9-0 as a starter, throwing here against
Iowa State in Week 2. Beathard's first career start was in 2014 @ Purdue.

"Hasn't lost. He's 9-0. Football family. His grandfather was the old Redskins GM, I believe, Bobby Beathard, right? So just seems to have a nice presence about him. He's injured a groin, but still moving around pretty good that last game. He's smart. A kid that does have some mobility. Really distributed the ball well. I think they've got a lot of nice pieces on offense. Couple tight end guys. One of them was a kid his dad coached at Oklahoma. I know him really well. But the way they use the tight end group, they're very talented at receiver, several running backs. They've had multiple guys over a hundred yards, couple guys at 200. That goes back to the O-line, which Coach Kirk and his son Brian and the job they do. His son Brian does a heck of a job with the line. So he's back there managing."

Iowa likes to use the TE in the passing game. Indiana Kevin Wilson was an
assistant at Oklahoma and is familiar with Iowa TE #46 George Kittle,
who's father, Bruce, was an assistant, as well, with former Iowa player, teammate
and OU head coach Bob Stoops. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was George Kittle's
father's position coach, when he was an offensive lineman on the 1981 Big Ten
championship team under former head coach Hayden Fry.

"I don't know if it's a great group, but they're better together than they are independently. The tight ends complement. And here come the hard-running running backs, and they get one-on-ones. The quarterback gets them in good plays. So you don't win all these games the way they're winning. They're scoring points. They've done a nice job. I've always had a lot of respect for their program and the job that they've done there. This is a good football team."

The Iowa Hawkeyes took an early lead in the 2012 game in Bloomington, only to lose the game in the fourth quarter, by the score of 24-21. Indiana is seeking their first B1G win the 2015 season, but this is the best Iowa football team, since the 2009 Hawkeyes open the season at 9-0.

"I thought we got off to a great start. I think it was our second possession we took it down and scored. Defense came up with a big play. We got off to a great start and had a 14-3 lead. I think all-in-all, our guys really played hard and competed hard, but the bottom line is we didn't play well enough to win and we didn't play clean enough to win." - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, after the 2012 loss @ Indiana 24-21.

The Fourth Quarter dating back to Iowa's Taxpayer Bowl Game in 2015

QB C.J. Beathard and the Hawkeyes’ rush defense have dominated the fourth quarter in 2015. Iowa’s rush defense, the No. 2 defense in the conference, has yielded 148 total rushing yards in the fourth quarter this season.

Beathard is 19-of-27 passing for 250 yards and one touchdown. He has also rushed 11 times for 28 yards and one touchdown in the fourth quarter this season. He has engineered game-winning drives in the fourth quarter two times this season (Iowa State and Pitt). He was 4-of-4 for 46 yards and a touchdown against Iowa State, and he rushed for 27 yards on three carries to set up senior PK Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard game winning field goal against Pitt.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz congratulates Iowa QB #16 C.J. Beathard for his
TD drive during the fourth quarter of the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville.

In Iowa’s last nine games, including the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl, Beathard’s fourth quarter numbers include 26-of-34 passing for 345 yards and three touchdowns, and 13 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown. Beathard did not play in the fourth quarter against North Texas.

Indiana LG #77 Dimitric Camiel is the newest member of a veteran offensive
line in 2015. The Hoosiers are giving up only 2 sacks in Big Ten play.
The passing offense ranks #2 and the total offense ranks #3 in Big Ten play.

At 4-4, with only four Big Ten games left, the Hoosiers need to win at least two of the final four games to pull off their first bowl trip, since 2007. It would be the first bowl bid in five seasons under Kevin Wilson. The Hawkeyes are bowl eligible for the 14th season in 15 years, since Ferentz returned to Iowa in 1999.

Last year, the Hawkeyes defeated the Hoosiers 45-29 in Iowa City, as Indiana QB Nate Sudfeld was knocked out of the game, suffering a season ending injury. After struggling in two previous match ups against Iowa, Sudfeld is likely looking to go out with a strong senior game against Iowa.

"Iowa played very well today. They got after us and got a good win. We had a couple opportunities early. They made more big plays than us. The game stats were kind of close, but they had more big plays than us. We played uphill all day. I thought our kids fought hard out there, but we have to do better," said Indiana Kevin Wilson, after last year's game in Iowa City.

The Iowa-Indiana game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CST on ESPN from Bloomington. Iowa has won five of the last six games in the series, but Indiana won the last one in Bloomington.

The Iowa Hawkeyes open November with four B1G games remaining, after an 8-0 start, 4-0 in B1G West

Iowa City, IA -- The #10 Iowa Hawkeyes are unbeaten, as they head to Bloomington to open another November game in the Iowa- Indiana series. The last two games played in Bloomington were both played in early November.

Since the days Kirk Ferentz was hired back in 1981, as an offensive line coach under Hayden Fry, the Iowa Hawkeyes are 18-9 against the Indiana Hoosiers. Iowa is 2-1 in games played in November @ Indiana, since 1981.

Iowa senior C #63 Austin Blythe started as a redshirt freshman back in 2012. He
anchors the Hawkeyes offensive line in 2015 and is playing very well, as a senior.

The lone loss was in 2012, the last time Iowa played in Bloomington against Indiana. Iowa started fast that day, but like many of the games from 2011 to 2014, the Hawkeyes didn't finish, with Indiana defeating Iowa 24-21. Both teams finished 4-8 in 2012.

Iowa senior RG #65 Jordan Walsh  was another young redshirt freshman in 2012.
One of the strengths during the 2015 season for the Hawkeyes is the play of the
interior offensive line. Iowa is 8-0 for the second time under Kirk Ferentz.

The Iowa Hawkeyes won the 2010 game, by the score of 18-13, another game that went down to the wire, during the first weekend in November. Overall, Iowa has won five of the last six games in the series, including last year's game 45-29 in Iowa City.

Iowa DB Devon Mitchell
1982-85

Ferentz's first trip to Indiana in 1982, as an OL assistant for Fry, went down to the wire, as well. Iowa won 24-20, as Iowa redshirt defensive back Devon Mitchell made a game saving tackle at the Iowa 2 against Indiana TE Scott McNabb to preserve the Hawkeye win. The 1981 team won in Iowa City 42-28 against the Hoosiers.

Indiana (4-4, 0-4 B1G East) is coming off a bye week. The Hoosiers opened the season with a 4-0 start in the non-conference, but conference play has been another story. There most recent lost in the Big Ten was @ Michigan State by the score of 52-26 ahead of the bye week.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-0, 4-0 B1G West) beat Maryland in Iowa City 31-15, coming off a bye week. Ferentz reflected on Sunday about the challenges coming out of the bye week for the Hawkeyes.

Indiana senior QB 7 Nate Sudfeld has struggled in starts against Iowa in the
past. Will his senior season be different? Sudfeld is having a very strong
senior season statistically, but the Hoosiers are 0-4 in conference play in 2015.

“I felt the first two games after our bye week would present unique challenges and (Saturday) playing a team with an interim coach and nothing to lose coming in here and taking some chances and they played hard and aggressively,” Ferentz said Sunday, after the Halloween win for the Hawks. “We anticipated that to be a tough challenge and no different than going down to Indiana. They have a quarterback (senior Nate Sudfeld) that is experienced and productive and an offensive team that scores a lot of points. They have played a lot of folks tough, they have four quality wins, and it will be a big challenge for us.”

Indiana junior WR #4 Ricky Jones and senior TE #88 Anthony Carsaro
are part of the Hoosiers passing game that QB Nate Sudfeld has at his disposal.

Indiana senior quarterback Sudfeld leads the conference in passing average per game (292.7 yards) and pass efficiency (155.9 points). Hoosiers wide receivers Ricky Jones and Simmie Cobbs, Jr., average 18.1 and 15.6 yards per reception.

"Good teams get better," Indiana coach Kevin Wilson said during the bye week. "If we're a good team, we keep getting better."

Indiana junior RB #8 Jordan Howard returned to action @ Michigan State,
after being knocked out of the game against Ohio State. Overall, Howard
is #2 in rushing on the season among Big Ten rushers in all games.

Three of Iowa's top four running backs have been slowed by ankle injuries this season. Indiana's top running back returned against Michigan State from a ankle injury. He finished the game with 78 yards, one touchdown, on 11 carries. At one point, Howard was close to leading the nation in rushing, during Indiana's non-conference success against Southern Illinois, FIU, WKU and @ Wake Forest.

Iowa junior DT #67 Jaleel Johnson is now a starter, but he played in last
year's game against the Hoosiers. He anchors the interior of the Iowa D-Line.

Iowa counters with a scoring defense that ranks sixth in the nation, allowing 15.3 points per game. Four of the top six scoring defenses in the country are from the Big Ten: Wisconsin (first, 11.0), Michigan (second, 11.4), Ohio State (fifth, 15.1) and Iowa. Indiana dropped a 34-27 decision to Ohio State on Oct. 3 and trailed Michigan State, 28-26, heading into the fourth quarter Oct. 24 in East Lansing, Michigan.

“When you’re giving up under 17 points, that’s kind of a target area for us and you have a good chance to win,” Ferentz said. “We’re going to have a big challenge coming up this week, but our defense has done a good job. They have been stingy that way and the offense has played off that.”

Aside from wining its eighth consecutive game to begin a season for just the second time in school history (Iowa started 9-0 in 2009), one of the biggest highlights for the Hawkeyes was the return of sophomore left tackle Boone Myers and junior running back LeShun Daniels, Jr. Ferentz said that after watching senior running back Jordan Canzeri and sophomore right tackle Ike Boettcher run Sunday, more good news could come soon.

Iowa senior C #63 Austin Blythe and senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri in last
year's game against the Hoosiers. If Canzeri is able to go, the Hawkeyes
will have four different running backs to throw out against the Hoosiers.

“Maybe with a little luck we’ll get Jordan Canzeri back,” Ferentz said. “I don’t know if it will be this week, but we’re getting closer based on what I saw (Sunday). He is making significant progress and I can say the same about Ike Boettger. Those are two guys we’re hoping to get back in the mix of things. In the meantime, we’ll keep playing, but it would be good to fortify the lineup a bit with those guys rejoining us.”

Iowa junior CB #14 Desmond King has 7 interceptions in 2015, including an
88 yard pick 6 against Maryland. His first pick 6 was last year against IU's
Nate Sudfeld, in an early interception taken 35 yards to the end zone.

Iowa leads the Big Ten in ball protection and takeaways. The Hawkeyes were +3 against Maryland; they are tied with Michigan State on top of the Big Ten at +10 for the season. Iowa junior CB Desmond King is tied for first in the nation, with seven interceptions on the season, including two for a touchdown.

Indiana coach Kevin White and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz during pregame
of last year's game in Iowa City. Iowa won 45-29 in 2014.

“Our guys did a great job being aggressive to the football,” Ferentz said. “The defense did a nice job coming up with some takeaways. That was a big part of the game.”

Iowa and Indiana kick off at 2:30 p.m. CST on Nov. 7 from Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. The game will be televised to a national audience by ESPN. The last time Iowa and Indiana played on Nov. 7, the Hawkeyes beat the Hoosiers 14-0 in 1992.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard played against Indiana last year.
Dealing with injuries during the Big Ten season, Beathard may not pull
off a 20 yard run, as he did in last year's game, during the 3rd quarter.