The Daily Iowan’s Iowa-Northwestern Exams

October 17, 2015

DI staffers Danny Payne and Ian Murphy list four things No. 17 Iowa must do in order to beat No. 20 Northwestern.

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EVANSTON, Illinois — Greetings from Ryan Field. Because of blistering sunlight pouring right into the press box, it’s a hot one for us up here. That’s not the case on the field, as the game time temperature should hang around 45 degrees.

Anyway, enough about the weather. Let’s get to the exams.

Stop the run

Northwestern running back Justin Jackson is one of the best in the Big Ten. Outside of him on offense, Northwestern doesn’t have a whole lot going for itself. Forcing redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson to throw the ball and make plays should be a recipe for success for the Hawkeyes.

Grade: A. Justin Jackson came in averaging over 100 yards per game. He finished with 30 today, and Northwestern didn’t manage a rushing touchdown.

Make Northwestern play from behind

The Hawkeyes getting out to a quick start is key Oct. 17. Northwestern would like this to be a defensive battle, and Iowa should make it uncomfortable as soon as possible. An early score would be monumental for the Hawks.

Grade: A. Clayton Thorson had to make plays after Iowa jumped out to a 16-0 lead, but his receivers couldn’t catch the ball, and that offense just isn’t that good.

Protect CJB

Simply put, tackles Cole Croston and James Daniels must protect C.J. Beathard for the Hawkeyes to have success. Beathard makes the offense go, and the Hawkeyes will need to give him as much time as possible against a stingy Northwestern defense

Grade: B. Beathard got sacked twice, which isn’t good, but the Hawkeye offensive line was a hodge podge and a half today. All things considered, against a highly touted defense like Northwestern things could have gone worse

Establish the ground game

Conversely, the Iowa offensive line needs to dominate for running back Jordan Canzeri to get going. Forty-three carries and 256 yards doesn’t happen by accident, and recently, as Canzeri goes, so goes the Hawkeye offense. That productivity starts with the offensive line.

Grade: A. It took longer than normal, but when the running game took off, it took off with authority. The numbers, like they usually do, speak for themselves on that front.