Iowa is officially in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten West.
The No. 17 Hawkeyes strolled into Evanston on Saturday and dominated No. 20 Northwestern 40-10 behind a huge effort from an unlikely source: sophomore running back Akrum Wadley.
Wadley, who entered the game with just eight carries for 35 yards on the season, filled in admirably for an injured Jordan Canzeri, rushing for 204 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries. Canzeri, a senior, suffered a serious-looking ankle injury early in the first half, but the Hawkeyes offense (which was without its two starting tackles) didn’t skip a beat with Wadley in the game.
And while Wadley picked up yards in big chunks, the Hawkeyes defense held Northwestern to 198 total yards and zero points in the second half.
Iowa looked like it would run away with things early after building a 16-0 lead early in the second quarter, but the Wildcats showed some signs of life late in the second quarter after barely moving the ball at all to that point. First, Clayton Thorson hit Christian Jones for a four-yard score to cap off a 12-play, 76-yard drive, cutting Iowa’s lead to 16-7. Iowa’s C.J. Beathard was intercepted on the first play of the Hawkeyes’ ensuing drive, and the Wildcats tacked on a field goal to cut Iowa’s lead to 16-10 at halftime.
The Wildcats got the ball first to open the third quarter, but were quickly forced to punt. When Iowa regained possession, it switched gears back to a power ground game and put up a statement drive, going 12 plays and 80 yards in 6:24 and scoring on Wadley’s third touchdown on the afternoon.
Northwestern fumbled on its next drive and Wadley was quickly in the end zone again to increase the lead to 30-10. Iowa completely controlled things from then on out and cruised to an easy victory, finishing with 294 yards rushing as a team.
The win improves Iowa to 7-0 and 3-0 in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes have emerged as clear favorites in a very average West division and all of a sudden enter the College Football Playoff picture.
The Hawkeyes have a bye in the upcoming week, but should be favored in all five of its games down the stretch against Maryland (home), Indiana (road), Minnesota (home), Purdue (home) and Nebraska (road). As improbable as this would have sounded a few months ago, the possibility of Iowa being undefeated heading into a Big Ten title game is very real.
If the Hawkeyes continue to win, that weak schedule will certainly come into focus around the country and for the College Football Playoff committee.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
