A closer look at No. 20 Iowa football’s matchup against No. 9 Oregon

IOWA CITY — It’s just another game, sure, but there’s stakes in this one. Big stakes.

No. 20 Iowa (6-2, 4-1 Big Ten) hosts No. 9 Oregon (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) Saturday afternoon in one of the biggest games in college football this weekend. After the Hawkeyes received their first national ranking by the College Football Playoff committee on Tuesday, more eyes are on what Iowa could bring to the table in the final four weeks of the regular season.

“Obviously a big week, this week for everybody,” Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz said. “A lot of interest in this game certainly on the outside, and I think the key for us is trying to keep our focus really where it needs to be. We have our hands more than full trying to get ready for Oregon.”

Here are three things Iowa can do to try and pull off a historic upset in Kinnick Stadium.

Keys to victory

A fast, and effective start

They did it against Minnesota, and now they need to do it again.

Iowa has had first possession every game this season, some by choice, others because its opponent likes to differ to the second half. The issue was, the Hawkeyes hadn’t been able to score off their first drive, and in two cases against Big Ten programs, turned the ball over.

Iowa figured it out against Minnesota, scoring in that opening drive with a rushing touchdown.

“It's a great energy boost,” wide receiver Jacob Gill said. “That's what we want to do every time that we start the game. We want to go out there and punch the team in the mouth.”

It’s more than likely Iowa will get the ball first against Oregon, unless the Ducks decide to throw a curveball to start the game. That means the Hawkeyes have the opportunity to put Oregon on its back foot and take an early lead.

With a team that’s only lost twice in the last two years, it’s better to keep this foe one step behind sooner, rather than keeping it tied as the game progresses.

Run through the rain

There’s some winter-like weather expected to blow through Iowa City this weekend, including a chance for snow during the game. It’s expected to be rainy throughout the day, with chances of some snow mixing in as it gets dark.

Sounds like a great time to run the football and limit the risk of passing. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski knows a thing or two about playing through less-than-ideal weather, having experienced the South Dakota State outdoor weather, but the Hawkeyes’ run game has been working well throughout this season.

Iowa has 20 rushing touchdowns to its opponents’ nine this year. Most of those touchdowns belong to Gronowski, but the Hawkeyes ability to create gaps in the line of scrimmage and burst downfield has been on display. It’ll be needed again.

Defense keeps steamrolling

Iowa defense had been exponentially improving after the first bye week last month, bringing the Hawkeyes’ interceptions to nine so far, including a pick six by defensive back Zach Lutmer to keep the 18-year streak alive.

That needs to continue against Oregon. Ducks quarterback Dante Moore is tied for third with most passing touchdowns in the Big Ten (19), so cutting off his options will be key. Moore plays beyond his years as a redshirt sophomore, but did have a slight injury against Wisconsin he’s recovering from.

Head coach Dan Lanning said Moore will play, and that he’s had a solid week of practice, but even so, the Hawkeyes have to continue the dominance they’ve displayed throughout the month of October.

Prediction

Iowa has a chance to make this a very close game, and it still has a bitter taste in its mouth after a close loss to Indiana in September. It’s possible that this score prediction ends up being wrong, and I’ll take full responsibility if that’s the case.

Oregon 21, Iowa 20

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