Iowa running back Jordan Canzeri leaves with injury

The win gives the Hawkeyes (7-0) an effective two-game lead in the Big Ten West race and catapults Iowa into the college football playoff conversation.

Iowa opened this season amid questions about whether the program had grown stale.

Canzeri was the Big Ten offensive player of the week last week with an absolute monster performance against Illinois, and his loss seemed one that the Hawkeyes might not be able to overcome as the run game was a bit stale early on, but they found a groove in a big way.

The Iowa Hawkeyes play the Northwestern Wildcats in one of the most anticipated Big 10 games on Saturday, October 17 start time at 12:00 PM ET, at Ryan Field, Evanston, IL. The star of the contest was definitely sophomore running back Akrum Wadley, who ran for 204 yards and four touchdowns.

The undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes are on the road this weekend to take on No. 20 Northwestern. So is this really going to be one of the top four teams in college football?

Almost unthinkable before the season, it is no longer unreasonable to suggest that Iowa could run the table. They have an off week next Saturday, followed by Maryland, at Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and at Nebraska. However, as much as this game might have exposed Northwestern, a team which scored only 10 points against Wisconsin elevated itself to the point that it could in fact expose the Wildcats. The Hawkeyes are tied with Ohio State with a league-best eight interceptions, including a Big Ten-best five from cornerback Desmond King.

You’ll see a lot of stories next week with the words “Iowa could be 12-0”. Iowa’s success is so shocking that parents may need a few help explaining it to their children. Northwestern was the final ranked opponent on the schedule, and running the table is certainly, uh, on the table.

In a game that could well decide the Big Ten West championship, a hobbled Iowa Hawkeyes squad reduced to its third-string halfback and an offensive line devoid of scholarship tackles pounded No. 20 Northwestern 40-10 Saturday afternoon. Instead, they got blown out again.