This isn’t the Northwestern offense Iowa has been used to seeing over the years. The Wildcats have become a much more dangerous group, one that can move the ball with speed, creativity and a quarterback who can hurt defenses in more than one way.
That puts the spotlight squarely on Iowa’s defense, and more specifically on Phil Parker’s unit. The Hawkeyes have built their reputation on discipline and execution, and they’ll need both to keep Northwestern from finding a rhythm.
Aidan Chiles has been the engine behind the turnaround since settling in at Evanston. He’s completing nearly 69% of his passes for more than 237 yards per game, with 13 touchdowns and only one interception. He’s also added 274 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground, giving Northwestern a true dual-threat presence.
Iowa has seen this before. In 2024, Chiles put up 256 passing yards and ran for another 51 against the Hawkeyes. If Iowa wants to change the script, the first step is obvious: make Northwestern earn everything through the air and try to bottle up the run game.
That’s easier said than done. Northwestern’s ground attack has taken a huge leap.
In 2024, the Wildcats finished with 1,182 rushing yards at 3.33 yards per carry and only 12 rushing touchdowns. With four games left in 2026, they already have 1,607 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and a 5.12-yard average per carry.
Caleb Komolafe has been the lead back, piling up 104 carries for 618 yards and five touchdowns. He brings a versatile style and size to the position, the kind of back who can wear defenses down.
Then there’s Joseph Himon II, the speed threat. He has only 43 carries this season, but he’s averaging almost 9 yards per attempt and can turn a crease into a big play in a hurry.
Northwestern’s plan is built around play-action. The Wildcats aren’t looking to line up and beat Iowa in a straight drop-back passing game. They want the run to force the Hawkeyes to commit bodies near the line, then use that aggression against them.
That means Iowa has to stay sharp, trust its keys and handle the odd looks Northwestern throws at it. The formations may be unusual, but the goal is familiar: make the defense react, then attack the space it creates.
Even with all that, Iowa’s run defense has been too steady to ignore. The Hawkeyes have been stout against the run all season, and that’s why the edge still leans their way. If the game comes down to it, Iowa’s pass defense and Parker’s pressure packages are the pieces that could decide it.
In Other News...
Iowa's Bowl Outlook Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Iowas shutout of Wisconsin did more than keep the Hawkeyes moving in the right direction, it also nudged their postseason picture into sharper focus. After the 30-0 win, several college football media outlets began projecting Iowa to the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, a spot that would mark a notable step up in the bowl pecking order and reward a team that has kept stacking results.
The interesting part now is the range of possible opponents attached to those projections. Depending on the outlet, Iowa could be lined up with LSU, Tennessee or Ole Miss, which gives the Hawkeyes a few very different styles to consider if the forecast holds. For now, though, the next stop is still on the schedule, with Northwestern coming up in Week 10 and plenty of season left to sort out the rest. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Just Gave Hawkeye Fans A Reason To Believe Again
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The latest post-Week 9 ranking underscores just how crowded and volatile the conference remains, with UCLA sitting at the top and Indiana, Ohio State and USC right behind in a group that still has plenty to prove. For Iowa, the larger takeaway is less about where everyone else landed and more about the opening that still exists if the Hawkeyes can keep stacking competent football while the rest of the league keeps tripping over itself. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa May Have Found An Early Answer While The Offense Lags
While Iowa worked through the usual early-season offensive rust in its 76-54 win over Lipscomb, one freshman gave the Hawkeyes a useful lift. Jaidyn Coon came off the bench in the second half, replacing Isaia Howard, and finished with 12 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes, a solid debut for a player who was asked to step into the flow of a game that still had plenty of first-night unevenness.
What stood out most, though, was not just the scoring. Coach Ben McCollum singled out Coons defensive effort against Lipscombs Takai Simpkins, a sign that the freshman may already have a path to meaningful minutes while Iowa sorts out its shooting. The Hawkeyes did enough on both ends to open the season with a comfortable win, but the way Coon handled his assignment offered a glimpse of a possible early answer if the offense takes longer to come around. [Read more 🡒]