(AP) -- Much of the buzz surrounding No. 8 Iowa
has been about whether the Hawkeyes can be considered national
title contenders when they keep sneaking past everyone.
 

Throw in a showdown with No. 15 Ohio State next week that could
determine the Big Ten title, and Saturday's home date with
Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten) has all the makings of a trap game
for the Hawkeyes (9-0, 5-0).

 The Wildcats hopes for an upset rest on the left hamstring of
quarterback Mike Kafka.

 Kafka was injured in the second quarter of last week's loss to
No. 11 Penn State. Coach Pat Fitzgerald says he expects Kafka to
play, although backup Dan Persa is listed as the co-starter on the
depth chart.

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)