The need to know
What: Iowa at Arizona
Where: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
When: 9:30 PM
TV: ESPN
Injury report
Out: Jason White (sprained knee)
Questionable: Marcus Coker (collar bone) he's been practicing but will probably red-shirt
Probable: Adam Gettis (sprained ankle), Daniel Murray (hip flexor)
Keys to the game
First downs: Arizona is converting on over 60% of its third downs. This is largely due to the fact that they have been efficient on first down. They have been decent running the ball with Nic Grigsby and Nick Foles has been deadly throwing short passes. Iowa will need to dictate down and distance by stopping the Wildcats on first down. Getting Arizona into 3rd and long will allow the defense to sit back in coverage and let the defensive line pin its ears back and go after Foles.
Time on possession: Iowa can limit Nick Foles effectiveness by keeping him on the sidelines. Iowa needs to be able run the ball with Adam Robinson and Jewel Hampton and sustain long drives (much like the first half against Iowa State). Stanzi is also going to need to manage this game and not make mistakes that give the ball back to Arizona. He has made good decision for the most part in the first two weeks, so hopefully that trend will continue.
Prediction
Iowa will leverage its advantages in the trenches to turn out a big day for Robinson and Hampton. Iowa will pick on Arizona's inexperienced interior defensive line and linebackers with a grinding rushing attack. On the other side of the ball, the defensive line will take away passing lanes and get after Foles early. Arizona will move the ball some between the 20s, but the defense will "bear down" (that's an Arizona motto) and keep touchdowns off the board.
The final score: Iowa 24 - Arizona 16