For the second consecutive weekend, the Miami football team is on the road to face a team from the Big Ten, when the RedHawks play Iowa today.

        The Mid-American and Big Ten conferences have established a Midwestern rivalry in early-season games. This week features four games between the Big Ten and the MAC. Ohio State opens its season vs. Akron, Michigan State does the same against Central Michigan, and Illinois hosts Northern Illinois.

MIAMI at IOWA

• When: Noon today.   • Where: Kinnick Stadium (70,397), Iowa City, Iowa.   • Records: Miami 0-1, Iowa 1-0.   • TV: Regional ESPN.   • Radio: WCKY-AM (1360) and the Miami Radio Network.   • Series: First meeting.   • Line: Iowa by 14 1/2.   • What to watch: Will Miami find a way to hold onto the football and show more scoring ability?

        “The MAC has a rich history with a lot of pride and respect throughout the conference,” Iowa's Kirk Ferentz said. “We know there are a lot of good football players (in the MAC) that are capable of beating teams from the Big Ten. Miami is an excellent football team with a history of beating bigger schools. They are not going to be intimidated coming here with their defense.”

        Toledo, predicted to win the MAC's West Division, dominated Minnesota, chosen to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten, 38-7 in the first week of the season.

        Coaches in both conferences see the talent gap closing between the leagues.

        For Iowa (1-0), it is its second straight game against a team from the MAC; the Hawkeyes opened the season by defeating Kent State 51-0.

        “(Iowa's) talent looks very comparable to that of Michigan,” said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner, whose RedHawks fell to the Wolverines 31-13 last week. “A physical team that likes to run the ball right at you.”

        Ferentz, in his third year at Iowa, said the Hawkeyes are going to be better than last year's 3-9 squad. Hoeppner sees Iowa as a team on the rise and one of the most improved teams in the Big Ten after it finished last season by winning two of its last three games.

        “(Iowa) is going to surprise some people this year,” Hoeppner said. “They may not be the most exciting team or score the most points, but they are going to win some games this year.”

        New starting quarterback Kyle McCann was efficient for Iowa in the opener, completing 12 of 18 passes for 165 yards. Senior Ladell Betts anks third at Iowa in career rushing yards with 2,725 yards.

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