IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — It’s too early to begin comparing Iowa’s defense to some of the best of the Kirk Ferentz era. Iowa (2-1) is 52nd nationally with 21.7 points allowed per game heading into Saturday’s non-conference finale against Western Michigan (0-3). The Hawkeyes defense has given up just four touchdowns in the past two games, both wins.

Iowa did put itself in a dangerous spot by allowing Iowa State to score a pair of touchdowns in a 27-21 victory last weekend. But the Hawkeyes defense is clearly better than last season, when a lagging unit was a big reason why the Hawkeyes finished with six straight losses.