Northwestern doesn't look like itself this season, but Iowa sure does.

The Hawkeyes come into Ryan Field on Saturday with a 5-2 record and a No. 20 national ranking. As usual, coach Kirk Ferentz's squad is built on a strong defense and doesn't make a lot of mistakes. And while the offense isn't exactly explosive, three-year senior starter in Noah Stanley is leading the Big Ten in passing.

We talked to HawkeyeReport publisher Tom Kakert to give us an insider's look at the Hawkeyes.

Q. Northwestern has won three in a row over the Hawkeyes, six of 10 overall and three of the last four in Evanston. Where do the Wildcats rank on the rival scale for Iowa? Do fans hate the Purple?