Lowes Line
Posted
11/6/26

 



 
Iowa Preview and Prediction
 

By The Lowes Line Staff

 
Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2, 3-2 B1G) at Northwestern Wildcats (6-2, 3-2 B1G)
Date: Saturday, Nov 7, 2026, 6:30 pm CST, Ryan Field
TV: FOX
Line: Northwestern +2.5; earlier in the week NU was a 2.5 point favorite…


Outlook:
 
Well Fudge.
 
NU looked very good for the first half of the game versus Oregon, even appearing to have the better team.  Aidan Chiles was in control, passing and scrambling when necessary against the Ducks.  NU had enough success running the ball to keep moving the chains.  The defense bent but mostly did not break, holding Oregon to two FGs and a late TD before halftime.  At halftime it was 20-13, ‘Cats.  Then NU forced a fumble on Oregon’s first drive of the 3rd quarter, and converted it into their 3rd FG of the day. 23-13.   Mid way thru the 3rd quarter it started to shift.  NU safety Jon Jon Stevens went down with a scary injury where he lay motionless on the turf for several minutes.  He was able to get up, but his day was over.  Already down their defensive team leader, safety Robert Fitzgerald, NU went downhill from there. The injured secondary was exposed by the speedy Duck receivers.  NU wasn’t able to put any pressure on former Husker and ceaseless punk Dylan Raiola, and eventually he made NU pay, connecting for a 75-yard TD that was a 4th quarter back breaker.  NU had time to mount a comeback, but unlike the first half when Oregon was kept off balance, the Ducks were now able to put pressure on Chiles in obvious passing situations, sacking him several times.  Final score 34-26, Ducks.
 
This week the Iowa Hawkeyes come to Evanston.  Both Iowa and NU are 6-2, fighting to stay in the Big Ten conference race.  A third loss for either team eliminates them from any chance at the CFP or Big Ten championship game.  As always Iowa brings a good but not great team to the new Ryan Field.  A strong defense, good running game, good TE play.  Solid play from both offensive and defensive lines.  Mediocre and inconsistent Quarterback play.  Luckily Iowa does not have the receivers that Oregon has, but the Hawkeye wideouts will still get their opportunities as NU will have to put more resources to stop the run game and put pressure on the QB.  As Oregon demonstrated, if the QB has no fear of getting hit, it is too easy to sit back and find an open receiver.  NU must also improve its tackling.  Too many times, Duck receivers and ball carriers bounced off NU defenders and gained large chunks of yardage because NU did not wrap up.
 
NU and Iowa are similar in many regards, good or good enough in all areas, except one, Quarterback.  Aidan Chiles is quietly having a great year.  He leads the Big Ten in completion percentage at 71%.  An earlier Lowes Line was skeptical of his ability to throw accurately but those doubts have been erased.  He makes accurate throws, good quick decisions, and has the ability to run as well as a running back.  At this point he is arguably the best healthy QB in the Big Ten.
 
Now to Fudge.
 
As of 1:30pm CST Friday, 11/6/2026, it looks like Aidan Chiles will NOT play tomorrow vs. Iowa.  This completely eliminates our advantage.  NU’s tackling will improve, Robert Fitzgerald returns for the defense, and playing at home will help, but in the end, Chiles is what makes the difference.  With Chiles the ‘Cats win 27-20.  If he is indeed not playing, we are in for a long day with lots of punts for both teams and a final score closer to Iowa 24, NU 13.
 
Go ‘Cats – get healthy soon Aidan!!!
 

Season to date: 7-1;  Against the spread: 4-4.



The Lowes Line is an e-mailed description of NU's next football game, with an invariably fearless prediction of the outcome and how NU will fare against what the other "experts" predict.  Our good friend and Brother Marcus Lowes began the broadcast mailing in 1996.  The crack Lowes Line Staff (alumni Lone Star Cat, GallopingGrapes, P.S. O'Briant, Eric Cockerill, Joel Kanvik, Charlie Simon, and MO'Cats) have continued the Line in memory of Marcus.  For the 2026 season it has returned to HailToPurple.com, for anyone to enjoy.  Thanks to the gridiron brain trust at the Lowes Line!