FACTS & STATS: Site: Kinnick Stadium (70,397) -- Iowa City, Iowa. Television:ESPN-Classic. Home Record: Northwestern 3-0, Iowa 3-0. Away Record: Northwestern 1-0, Iowa 0-1. Neutral Record: Northwestern 0-0, Iowa 0-0. Conference Record: Northwestern 0-0, Iowa 0-0. Series Record: Iowa leads, 46-20-3.

GAME NOTES: The Northwestern Wildcats put their unblemished record on the line at Kinnick Stadium this weekend, as they do battle with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten opener for both squads. Although they haven't exactly played the toughest of competition thus far, the Wildcats are still off to their first 4-0 start since 1962. Most recently, Northwestern used a stingy defensive effort to outlast Ohio University, 16-8, last weekend. With the victory, Northwestern finished the non-conference portion of its scheduled undefeated for the first time since 1963. The Wildcats though, now head into Big Ten action, where they posted just a 3-5 record a season ago. As for Iowa, it is coming off its first loss of the season, a 21-20 setback at Pittsburgh last weekend. It was the first road game of the year for the Hawkeyes, who outscored their first three opponents 105-8 in three home wins to begin the season. Iowa will now turn its focus to the Big Ten, where it finished an even 4-4 in 2007. The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series with Northwestern, 46-20-3, and that includes a 28-17 triumph last season.

Behind three field goals by Amado Villarreal and a one-yard touchdown run by Omar Conteh, the Wildcats built a 16-0 halftime lead and held on for a 16-8 win over Ohio last weekend. Northwestern gained just 280 total yards and turned the ball over five times and that was uncharacteristic of this team which committed just two turnovers in three prior games and is averaging 356.2 total ypg for the season. Quarterback C.J. Bacher had a rough outing, as he completed just 18-of-35 pass attempts for 133 yards and four interceptions. Bacher had thrown just one pick in three prior outings and he has now passed for 758 yards, with three touchdowns for the season. Tailback Tyrell Sutton paced the ground attack with 76 yards on nine totes and he also had three catches for 27 yards. Sutton though, left the game with a leg injury and did not return. The team's leading rusher with 387 yards and five scores, Sutton is listed as probable for this weekend.

On the defensive side of the ball is where the Wildcats made their presence felt last weekend, as they held Ohio to just 232 total yards, including only four on the ground. It was certainly a stout effort from this defense, which is limiting opposing clubs to only 298.0 total ypg for the season. After recording just two turnovers through the first three games, Northwestern stepped up and forced four miscues by Ohio. The unit even came up with five sacks, giving it 15 for the year. Vince Browne accounted for three of those sacks, to go with a forced fumble, while Malcolm Arrington had 11 stops, a forced fumble and a sack. For the season, Arrington leads the club with 34 tackles, and Corey Wootton has a team-high 3.5 sacks to his name.

The Hawkeyes gained 361 total yards, including 158 via the run last weekend, but only managed 20 points in a loss to Pittsburgh. The offense, which is averaging 392.5 total ypg for the year, committed just one turnover, but allowed six sacks and converted only 4-of-17 third down chances. Shonn Greene paced the team in defeat by rushing for 147 yards and a score on 23 carries. It was another strong performance by Greene, who heads the club with 506 yards and four scores for the season. Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi both saw time under center last weekend, with Christensen being a little more effective. He threw for 124 yards and rushed for a score, while Stanzi had just 79 yards on 7-of-10 pass attempts. For the season, Christensen has passed for 372 yards and a score, while Stanzi has thrown for 426 yards and three touchdowns in eight less attempts.

Iowa has been stout on the defensive side of the ball thus far and last weekend was no exception. Despite losing the game, the Hawkeyes and their defense did a good job in holding Pittsburgh to just 259 total yards. For the season, Iowa is yielding just 255.5 total ypg and mere 7.2 ppg and those are some pretty impressive numbers. The Hawkeyes also forced a pair of turnovers last weekend, bringing their season total to 10. Pat Angerer guided the defense with seven stops in the loss, while Amari Spievey notched his second interception of the season. Jeremiah Hunter added six stops and he tops the roster with 24 for the year.

Northwestern hasn't played any stiff competition yet, so its fast start is a bit deceiving. Iowa is coming off a tough loss, but expect this team to rebound at home. Behind another stingy defensive effort, look for the Hawkeyes to come out on top this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa 27, Northwestern 10

Saturday, September 27th, 12:05 p.m. (et)