Iowa hosts Northwestern Saturday morning at Kinnick Stadium, and in my mind this is a HUGE game for the Hawks. Let's be honest, the last few weeks haven't been great.

Iowa beat Purdue on the road at the end of September and following a bye the offense went wild October 11th in a Homecoming victory against Indiana. Unfortunately, the good news stopped there.

Iowa started fast at Maryland, jumping out to a quick 14-0 lead. However, after that it seemed nothing went well. Iowa's tackling was sloppy, their blocking left a lot to be desired and the offense struggled mightily after the quick start. C.J. Beathard didn't see the field despite the offense scuffling. Following the game, coach Ferentz said that Beathard was "nicked up."

During the off week, running back LeShun Daniels injured an ankle, and is now done for the year. This Monday night, Derrick Willies announced on Instagram he was leaving the program when he wrote, "It's been real Iowa, things are just moving on to a different chapter in the story." A 6'4" receiver that's a rarity at Iowa, he excited many a Hawk fan at the spring game, but didn't see the field much this fall. Add Linebacker Reggie Spearman being arrested for OWI on his moped last Saturday morning and the fact that Jordan Canzeri is questionable for this weekend's game with an ankle injury, and it appears the sky is falling in Iowa City.

Things are never as bad as they appear, and I certainly hope that's the case now. A win against the Wildcats, never an easy task, locks up a bowl bid for the Hawks and gives the team and fans a much needed boost.  Lose and that sky may be even closer than it appears...

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