Kirk Ferentz provides update on Iowa injuries

The Iowa Hawkeyes put themselves in position to win the Big Ten West title with their impressive 22-0 shutout victory over Rutgers. But when playing another tough physical team, such as the Scarlet Knights, you’re bound to pick up an injury or two. As Iowa prepares for their Week 12 matchup, which will be a home game against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz provided an injury update for his team.

“Injury-wise, we get Stilianos back,” said Ferentz. “He should be healthy, back practicing now. I don’t see Beau Stephens making it for sure, and Diante Vines very unlikely. Otherwise, I think everybody’s got a chance.”

Iowa appears to be heading into their Week 12 matchup with Illinois with practically a clean bill of health. And that is huge for the Hawkeyes as they have a chance to lock up the Big Ten West crown outright and punch their ticket to the Big Ten championship game. And against a Fighting Illini program who is fresh off of a 48-45 victory in Week 11, Ferentz and company will likely need all hands on deck to pick up win number nine on the season.

Staples on Iowa vs. Illinois point spread: ‘I think this is the one’

Speaking of Iowa’s next contest, On3’s Andy Staples and recruiting guru Josh Newberg broke down the line for the game while picking their winners in the process.

Matchups involving the Hawkeyes this season are not known for their scoring, to put it gently. But on Saturday, Iowa will take on an Illinois squad fresh from a high-octane 48-45 victory over Indiana. And that victory was courtesy of the stellar play from quarterback John Paddock. Still, Staples is weary of Iowa’s record against the under this season.

“John Paddock was excellent; John Paddock was 24-36 for 507 yards and four touchdowns,” said Staples. “…the under in Iowa games this year is 8-2. And you see, Vegas can’t make it low enough; they went down to 28.5. Their computers can’t handle it. It’s just like their computers can’t handle LSU. They keep setting the number too low for LSU, and they keep setting it too high for Iowa. I think this is the one.”

While Iowa’s record against the under mirrors their record on the season, 8-2, the On3 college football expert sees a shift coming this week. And he’s riding on Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill to be one of the catalysts for a barrage of points on Saturday. He is also a fan of what Paddock has done for Illinois this season.

“He helped them beat Minnesota. Like, they may have found their guy. I don’t know. Iowa’s defense tends to make every quarterback, not the guy, but Illinois’s defense may help cause remember they just gave up a bunch of points to Indiana. And Deacon Hill just had a fairly effective game against a good Rutgers defense… So, I’m going to take the over.”