Kent State (1-1) at No. 5 Iowa (2-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (Big Ten Network).
Line: Iowa by 22 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Iowa leads 2-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Iowa is coming off fantastic wins over Indiana and Iowa State and now gets what should be a couple of breathers before resuming Big Ten play at Maryland on Oct. 2. Kent State is playing its second top-10 opponent in three games, having lost its opener 41-10 at Texas A&M. The Golden Flashes are 0-17 against the Big Ten.
KEY MATCHUP
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras is yet to hit his stride and will be going against a Kent State defense that has a nation-leading eight interceptions. Petras is the second-lowest rated Big Ten QB and needs to step up before what figures to be a challenging October.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kent State: QB Dustin Crum must be at his best against one of the nation’s top defenses. The 2020 first-team All-MAC pick is averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He needs to be sharper as a passer. He threw a couple game-turning interceptions against Texas A&M.
Iowa: RB Tyler Goodson should have a chance to get untracked with the return of offensive lineman Kyler Schott from injury. Goodson has been running behind a young line. Take away his 56-yard run against Indiana, and he’s averaging 2.5 yards on 39 carries.
FACTS & FIGURES
Iowa has won eight straight games, scoring at least 25 points in each game. … The Hawkeyes are going for their 300th win at Kinnick Stadium, which opened in 1929. … Iowa has converted its seven take-aways into 37 points. … Kent State is second nationally in rushing with 360 yards per game. Iowa has held three straight opponents, since last year, under 100 yards on the ground. … The Flashes have been shut out in six of their 17 games against the Big Ten.
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