Iowa @ Northwestern preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 15, 2011 ) Northwestern 31, Iowa 41

Iowa will try to remain in Big Ten championship game contention when it visits Northwestern on Saturday in a meeting of inconsistent teams. The Hawkeyes, who were crushed at home by Penn State 38-14 last week, still control their own destiny. The Wildcats' title game hopes were dealt a serious blow with a 29-28 loss to Nebraska, but their biggest concerns are a conference-worst passing game and a penchant for blowing double-digit leads in the fourth quarter. The game features two of the top running backs in the Big Ten - Iowa's Mark Weisman and Northwestern's Venric Mark, but both are dealing with injuries.

TV: 12 p.m., ESPN2. LINE: Northwestern -6

ABOUT IOWA (4-3, 2-1 Big Ten): The Hawkeyes had plenty of momentum following their 19-16 double overtime victory at Michigan State on Oct. 13 before throwing in a clunker. Iowa's passing attack isn't great either (189.0 yards per game, Big Ten-worst three touchdowns), but could be better against an injury-depleted Northwestern secondary. Weisman, who is seventh in the Big Ten at 91.4 rushing yards per game, had nine yards on five carries last week as he tried to play with an injured ankle. He and Greg Garmon are listed as co-starters Saturday. The Hawkeyes are tied with the Cornhuskers in the Legends Division, one game behind Michigan. Iowa finishes the regular season at No. 20 Michigan and against Nebraska.

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (6-2, 2-2): The Wildcats led the Cornhuskers 28-16 in the fourth quarter, two weeks after their 28-17 advantage in the final period turned into a 39-28 loss at Penn State. Northwestern boasts the No. 3 rushing attack in the Big Ten at 223.6 yards per game, but a passing game which averages 172.8 yards has allowed teams to concentrate on the run. Mark, though, rushed for 118 yards last week before leaving with an undisclosed injury and has 300 yards with three touchdowns in his last two games. Coach Pat Fitzgerald said Mark, sixth in the Big Ten at 114.4 yards per game, will play Saturday. The Wildcats, who are also in the Legends Division, don't play again until Nov. 10 when they host No. 20 Michigan.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Northwestern is 29-of-31 in red zone opportunities, Iowa 20-of-25. Both teams have settled for field goals 10 times.

2. The Hawkeyes are tied for 12th in the country with only seven turnovers lost.

3. Iowa leads the series 47-23-5, including a 41-31 victory last season in Iowa City after Northwestern won five of the previous six meetings.

PREDICTION: Iowa 20, Northwestern 19