Iowa Vs. Northwestern (Video from 1945!)

Iowa vs. Northwestern didn't end like Iowa fans wanted. The Iowa vs. Northwestern game was supposed to be a stepping stone for the Iowa Hawkeyes to push their record to 10-0, but the Northwestern Wildcats had different ideas when they came to Iowa City. The biggest problem for the University of Iowa were all of the injuries that had continued to mount, and which just got even worse on Saturday when their starting quarterback went down with an injury. Not only did he get hurt, but he fumbled in the end zone on the play, giving Northwestern an early touchdown that Iowa would not be able to overcome on the day.

The Iowa vs. Northwestern game was very important for both teams, but for entirely different reasons. Iowa came into the game with a 9-0 overall record and a #4 ranking in the BCS standings. It meant that Iowa still had an outside chance of making the BCS championship game of college football on the year, and could possibly end the regular season with a 12-0 overall record. It was going to be a tough road ahead for Iowa even if they could beat Northwestern, because next week the Hawkeyes have to go to Ohio State and take on the Buckeyes in a big game for OSU.

Northwestern really needed the win on Saturday, because they wanted to push their record into bowl eligibility for the season. Being a team in the Big Ten with an eligible record is basically like stating that the team will get a bowl game, and everyone at Northwestern knew that when they came into Iowa City this weekend. It meant that both teams had a lot to play for on Saturday afternoon, and on paper it sure seemed like Iowa could come on top pretty easily. That's why they play the games though, because Iowa was already shorthanded at running back, and when the starting quarterback went down, it means that Iowa would have to end the game with a back-up calling all the plays.

Northwestern vs. Iowa State, 1945