The Walkthrough -- Northwestern

-- We'll roll this until 10:30, when we move over to chat.

-- Quarterback Ricky Stanzi is on the Kinnick turf now, working out the pregame nerves with fellow QBs James Vandenberg and John Wienke. I'm starting to think of them as "Entourage." Stanzi is Vince, obviously. Don't ask me which one is "Turtle."

-- Here are some leftover quotes from Webster Groves football coach Cliff Ice, who coached Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn in high school.

"As a coach, you couldn't wait to come back in and watch the film. Just a highlight really, of him hitting guys."

"We run a spread offense. He played TE but we flexed him out as a wideout by himself. We would run three-by-1 sets with him as the one receiver. We'd throw slants and fades to him. You see a 250-pounder running slant against a corner was, you know, quite a sight."

-- No sign of NU QB Mike Kafka, but NU QBs aren't out yet, just a few specialists. He left the game last week with a bad hamstring. He's iffy today.

-- At 9:35, Iowa QBs go up the tunnel with OC Ken O'Keefe.

-- Iowa sideline radio guy Rob Brooks on the Sports Illustrated cover headline, "Still Perfect:" "It probably should've been 'What's Next?'" He's probably right.

-- Let's get to know NU QB Dan Persa: Redshirt sophomore ... Academic All-America candidate ... Entered NU's game vs. Penn State in the second quarter to replace an injured Mike Kafk a and threw for 115 yards on 14-of-23 passing while also rushing 14 times for 42 yards on the ground ... Named team's offensive big playmaker against Penn State ... Four rushing yards on two carries at Michigan State ... One carry for two yards against Miami ... Saw action at Syracuse, carrying the ball twice for eight yards ... One carry for fi ve yards against Eastern Michigan ... Played quarterback for the fi rst time vs. Towson, completing a 72-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Brewer in the second quarter for his first career completion and scoring pass.

My observation from his appearance against PSU last week: The dude plays extremely fast, like he's been set on fire. Good, aggressive runner, not sure about his arm. If he plays, look for more option. He'll either be a giant success or a . . . not success.

 -- Iowa specialists are out. Both kickers are dressed again. I don't see the redshirt coming off Murray. Just don't see it. It's too late in the season for it to be a fair shot for Mossbrucker. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if he did kick.

-- Looks like DJK and Tyler Sash are returning punts today. They're fielding them now.

-- Kafka is out there and taped up and throwing the ball around.

-- David Cato is out there. Apparently, he's still a Hawkeye. S Brett Greenwood is dressed and looks like a go.

-- Ferentz radio: "Not overly optimistic (Greenwood)." WR Colin Sandeman won't be out there. Still out with the concussion. Maybe next week.

-- If I were a coach, I wouldn't meet before the game. I would need to feel some hostility.

-- RBs Brad Rogers and Josh Brown are dressed, but probably won't play. Next week will be the big test on that.

-- By the way, Ohio State at Penn State. A Penn State victory puts Iowa's fate in its own hands. A victory at Ohio State next week would then clinch a share of the Big Ten title for the Hawkeyes, their first since 2004. An Ohio State victory would make next week a showdown for the conference title.

-- Kafka is running first team as the 'Cats finish with team drills. He's a go. Persa is in there right away, though. He could be the running QB today.

-- Marvin McNutt's right thumb is mummified. Seriously, how does he catch anything?

-- Iowa team coming.

-- Conklin in for Greenwood.

-- WR Trey Stross is starting. LB Jeremiha Hunter is starting.

-- Iowa's second OL is Zusevics (RT), Doering, Koeppel, Gettis (big cast on hand) and Haganman. Paki is No. 2 RB.

Chat has started. See you over there.