The WNUR Sports staff offers their picks for Saturday’s game between the Northwestern University Wildcats and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, including their predictions of the victor, final score, and a player to watch.

Danny Moran (@DannyJMoran): Northwestern 20, Iowa 17. This is assuming Mick McCall improves his play calling and attempts to make Kain Colter a legitimate passing threat. The NU secondary is seriously beat up but they picked a great week to draw James Vandenberg as their opposing quarterback. The defense will be able to keep the Hawkeyes out of the endzone just enough to win. Player to Watch: Tyler Scott.

Jim Sannes (@JimSannes): I’ll be calling the game on Saturday (9:30 pre-game, 11:00 opening kick) for WNUR, so I won’t make an official prediction. However, I find it hard to believe that Northwestern’s injuries to Quinn Evans and Nick VanHoose will allow them to completely shut down the Iowa offense. While James Vandenberg has struggled this year, he had success against the ‘Cats last year, so I’m interested to see how this game turns out. Player to Watch: Ibraheim Campbell.

John Castellanos (@JJCast15): Northwestern 34, Io_a 14. The defense finally puts it together for 4 quarters and keeps their composure, causing Vandenberg to make mistakes. On the offensive side, Trevor Siemian finds his touch and throws for 3 touchdowns. Player to watch: Trevor Siemian.

Tralon Williams (@TralonWilliams): Iowa 24, Northwestern 17. Injuries. That is what all the talk has been about the past week for Northwestern. Will Venric Mark be totally healthy? Will the depleted secondary be able to contain James Vandenberg? Will the duo of Siemian and Colter be able to get the passing game on track? Unfortunately it’s too many questions for this team. They will fall to Iowa on Homecoming 24-17. Player to Watch: Ibraheim Campbell.

Nick Petro (@NickPetro15): Northwestern Wildcats 27, Iowa Hawkeyes 20. The Wildcats have blown two double-digit fourth quarter leads in the past three weeks. The Hawkeyes have only one impressive win this season – a 19-16 double overtime victory against the underachieving Michigan State Spartans. Last week, they were pounded by Penn State 38-14. Northwestern needs to return to an offensive game plan that features Kain Colter at quarterback running the option. Player to Watch: Damien Proby (one of the leading tacklers in the nation).

Jeffrey Eisenband (@JeffEisenband): Northwestern 38-27. Iowa’s visit this weekend is a blessing for a sluggish Northwestern team. No other opponent could provide as much motivation. There is no way Fitz will let this team lose at home a second straight week to the Hawkeyes, his arch nemesis. ‘Cats rebound and start final push for Pasadena. Player to Watch: Tony Jones.

Cameron Albert-Deitch (@c_albertdeitch):Northwestern, 35-21. Iowa always seems to play above their talent level against Northwestern, but there’s no way the ‘Cats will lose this homecoming game. Kain Colter will take the reins of this offense after Trevor Siemian’s weak showing against Nebraska and will never look back, pacing Northwestern to a win that might not be quite as easy as fans hope (Wildcat fans know to never, ever rule out a fourth quarter scare). Player to Watch: David Nwabuisi.

Nick Scoliard: Northwestern 31-21. The Wildcats have had some tough losses, but I can’t see them losing this one. The homecoming crowd is going to be loud and give emotion to this game. Iowa’s offense, ranked 103rd in passing and 89th in rushing, doesn’t seem like it will be a huge problem for a defense that’s been pretty consistent this year. While Iowa has a good defense, they allowed Penn State’s fast high-powered offense 504 total yards, losing 38-14. While I think that the Northwestern offense has been OK lately, the worst part has been the play calling. If the Wildcats can make some good play calls, and, as always, get good games from the Big Three-Colter, Siemian, and Mark-then I see them winning. Thing to Watch: The Play Calling

Kevin Harris (@kevharris711): 38-24 Northwestern. This is a game where Northwestern needs to rebound and make a statement. Their offense will rebound as Kain Colter is given more opportunities to run the option and Mark Trumpy has a break out day. There won’t be any fourth quarter collapses in this one…hopefully. Player to Watch: Mark Trumpy.

Ben Goren: Northwestern 28 Iowa 10. Northwestern owns Iowa. It is as sure as the sun rising that Northwestern will hand down soul crushing losses to the Hawkeyes, no matter the form of the two teams. Expect Trevor Siemian to rebound from a string of poor performances to throw for two TD’s. Player to Watch: Trevor Siemian.