FACTS & STATS: Site: Kinnick Stadium (70,397) -- Iowa City, Iowa. Television: BigTen Network. Home Record: WMU 1-4, Iowa 4-1. Away Record: WMU 2-3, Iowa 2-4. Neutral Record: WMU 0-0, Iowa 0-0. Conference Record: WMU 2-4, Iowa 4-4. Series Record: Western Michigan leads, 1-0.

GAME NOTES: The red-hot Iowa Hawkeyes will try to remain in the win column when they host the Western Michigan Broncos this Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium in a non-conference tilt. The Broncos come stumbling into this contest, losing four of their last five games, including three in a row. The last time Western Michigan was on the field the team suffered a heart- breaking, 34-31 setback. The Broncos have not performed well against schools from the Big Ten Conference, posting an atrocious 4-27 ledger against teams currently residing in that league. As for the Hawkeyes, they have won four of their last five matchups and head into this contest riding a three-game winning streak. The last time the Hawkeyes were on the field the team collected a hard-fought, 21-16 victory over Big Ten foe Minnesota. Iowa is just 6-5 overall on the season, but at home the team has been much better, posting a solid 4-1 mark. This will be just the second-ever meeting between Western Michigan and Iowa on the gridiron. The only other matchup occurred back in 2000 and the Broncos defeated the Hawkeyes in the contest, 27-21.

Throughout the season the Broncos have displayed a one-dimensional offensive unit, as the team is very committed to the passing attack. WMU heads into this contest averaging 256.8 ypg through the air, while rumbling for just 128.1 ypg, on just 3.3 ypc. Tim Hiller has completed 64.4 percent of his attempts this year for 2,378 yards, but the quarterback has only 16 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Jamarko Simmons has been the main option for Hiller, as the receiver is leading the squad with 77 receptions, 887 yards and six scores. At points during the year the running back tandem of Brandon West and Mark Bonds have proven to be solid. Overall, the two tailbacks have racked up 1,338 yards and 11 TDs. In a recent three-point loss to Central Michigan, the Broncos put forth a mediocre outing. Hiller had a strong performance for WMU, completing 27-of-37 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. The signal-caller was also sacked twice and intercepted once. The ground game was even worse, as the team tallied just 107 yards on 35 carries (3.1 ypc).

The main problem the Broncos have struggled with throughout the season is their inability to stop the ground game, as opponents are currently gashing Western Michigan for 194.7 ypg. Overall on the season the has been devastated for 4248 total ypg and that has led to an embarrassing 32.5 ppg allowed. In the recent setback to CMU, the Broncos continued to have trouble against the run, allowing the Chippewas to churn out 149 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Overall the team yielded 384 total yards, but on a positive note the defense did force two turnovers, while also recording three sacks. The team has not overachieved in either area this year, as the Broncos have forced just 20 turnovers, while collecting a mere 18 sacks.

The Hawkeyes have been extremely inconsistent offensively throughout the season and head into this matchup averaging a mere 18.5 ppg. The passing attack has been the main source of production for this unit, as the team is averaging 184.7 ypg through the air. Unfortunately the ground game has stalled at times, as the Hawkeyes are posting just 124.3 ypg, on just 3.4 ypc. Jake Christensen has been a bit erratic on the year, completing just 53.3 percent of his passes. However, the signal-caller has thrown for 2,020 yards and has 14 touchdowns against four interceptions. Throughout the year the Hawkeyes have used a running back tandem in Albert Young and Damian Sims. Young is currently pacing the squad with 873 yards and six touchdowns, while Sims has contributed 491 yards and three scores. In the recent matchup against Minnesota, the Hawkeyes tallied just 296 total yards, but it was good enough to help the team earn a victory. Young led the ground attack with 92 yards and two scores, while Christensen threw for 157 yards and one TD.

The main reason for Iowa becoming bowl eligible is because the team has relied heavily on the play of the defensive unit. The Hawkeyes have done a terrific job on this side of the ball, holding the opposition to a mere 17.9 ppg, and just 338.6 total ypg. The unit has allowed over 200 passing yards per outing, but the defense has done a tremendous job against the run, limiting opponents to just 122.0 ypg on a pathetic 3.2 ypc. Inn the recent contest against Minnesota, the defense was at the top of its game again, yielding just 315 total yards en route to a five-point win. Iowa surrendered 190 yards through the air, but once again the defense was outstanding against the run, limiting the Golden Gophers to just 125 yards on 33 carries. A big reason for this unit's season, has been its ability to make the big play, as the Hawkeyes have forced 21 turnovers on the year, while also collecting 27 sacks.

Over the past few weeks, the Broncos have struggled offensively and that is not a good sign for WMU especially when the team will be facing a tough defensive unit in Iowa.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa 27, Western Michigan 14

Saturday, November 17th, 3:30 p.m. (et)