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FACTS & STATS: Site: Jack Trice Stadium (50,000) -- Ames, Iowa. Television:FSN. Home Record: Iowa 1-0, ISU 1-0. Away Record: Iowa 0-0, ISU 0-0. Neutral Record: Iowa 0-0, ISU 0-0. Conference Record: Iowa 0-0, ISU 0-0. Series Record: Iowa leads, 37-19..

GAME NOTES: The Iowa Hawkeyes adverted disaster in their opener and they will need a much better performance this weekend against their rival, Iowa State, if they want to remain undefeated.

The Hawkeyes opened their 2009 season at the friendly confines of Kinnick Stadium last weekend and figured to have their way with Northern Iowa, a FCS program. Instead, Iowa was given all it could handle from one of the better FCS teams and needed a pair of blocked field goals in the final seven seconds to hang on for a wild 17-16 victory. With the nail-biting win, the Hawkeyes improved to 9-2 in season openers under Kirk Ferentz, but dropped out of the Top 25.

As for the Cyclones, they had an easier time in their opener, notching a 34-17 victory North Dakota State at Jack Trice Stadium this past week. The triumph stopped a 10-game losing streak that dated back to last season and made a winner of head coach Paul Rhoads in his debut at ISU.

With regard to the all-time series between Iowa and ISU, the Hawkeyes are the ones who hold a 37-19 edge in the rivalry despite the Cyclones winning seven of the last 11 meetings. Iowa took last year's encounter, 17-5, in Iowa City, but the Cyclones have won four of the past five clashes at Jack Trice Stadium.

The Hawkeyes had trouble moving the ball in their opener versus UNI, as they were held to 329 total yards, including just 87 on the ground. The struggles on the ground weren't a big surprise, though, as Iowa lost 1,800-yard rusher Shonn Greene to the NFL and then his replacement Jewel Hampton suffered a knee injury prior to the opener and has been ruled out for the season. Adam Robinson stepped up in the opener and toted 15 times for a team-high 63 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi is obviously going to need to shoulder more of the load with the suspect running game and he responded by throwing for 242 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-34 tosses in the opener. He however, was sacked four times and the team will need to do a better job of protecting him or this could be end up being a long season, instead of successful one. Tight end Tony Moeaki was Stanzi's top option in the opener, as he pulled in a career-best 10 balls for 83 yards and a touchdown. A preseason candidate for the John Mackey Award, Moeaki spoke a little about his chemistry with Stanzi.

Iowa did a good job of keeping UNI out of the end zone, allowing just one touchdown compared to three field goals, but it was the special teams that made the biggest plays to save the game. With seven seconds left to play, UNI lined up for a game-winning 40-yard field goal that ended up being blocked by defensive end Broderick Binns. However, Iowa stayed away from the ball and UNI recovered it, which was crucial since the block occurred on first down. Therefore, UNI got another chance to win the game, but once again, the kick was blocked, this time by linebacker Jeremiha Hunter. Hunter finished the game with nine stops for an Iowa defense, which surrendered 354 total yards to UNI. The unit did a solid job all-around, but could have used a few bigger plays, recording only one takeaway and two sacks.

The Cyclones displayed a good deal of balance on offense last week, as they rushed for 204 yards and threw for 238 more in a 34-17 win over NDSU. Alexander Robinson led the ground attack with 83 yards and a score on 16 carries, while quarterback Austen Arnaud added 78 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. The duo combined for just over 1,200 rushing yards a year ago and they figure to account for a majority of the offense once again in 2009. Arnaud also did some damage with his arm last weekend, completing 16-of-28 pass attempts for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Marquis Hamilton was on the receiving end of both touchdown passes and he finished the game with four catches for 97 yards. It was certainly a terrific start for the senior, who had just 300 yards and three touchdown catches all of last season.

ISU wasn't all that impressive on the defensive side of the ball in the opener, as NDSU was able to roll up 388 total yards, including 210 on the ground. The defense, which struggled greatly last season, did come up with two turnovers and four sacks to help limit NDSU to just 17 points. Jesse Smith highlighted the defense with 15 tackles and a forced fumble, while Rashawn Parker had two sacks and a forced fumble of his own. Last season, Smith ranked second on the team with 84 stops, so it was no surprise to see him start off the 2009 campaign with a stout performance.

The Hawkeyes were lucky to come away with a win in their opener and they will surely not take any other opponent for granted. The Cyclones though, possess matchup problems for Iowa and if they can make a few big plays, there is no reason they can't pull off the upset this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa State 27, Iowa 24