Iowa vs Northwestern head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 10, Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The Breakdown
Northwestern's 63 composite tops #22 Iowa's 56, driven by Aidan Chiles — 4★, three years — under center.
When Iowa has the ball: The 3★ receivers average 1.7 years; Northwestern's 3.3★ secondary averages 3.3 — a 1.6-year experience gap.
When Northwestern has the ball: 2.3★ wideouts against Iowa's 3★ secondary is the field's widest gap; 4★ tight end Luke Dehnicke matters.
Swing factor: Aidan Chiles, 4★ and three years, versus Jeremy Hecklinski, 3★ and two — the game's clearest talent gap.
X-factor: Week 10, Saturday in November: Iowa travels to Evanston with the home crowd and November weather waiting.