The Hawkeyes did just about everything they could to lose their week seven matchup against Penn State. Receivers had drops that led to interceptions. There were penalties that led to points. There was
even a blocked field goal attempt returned for a touchdown. For nearly three decades now, those types of miscues have been the difference between wins and losses in a Kirk Ferentz system that thrives in the margins.
But Iowa didn’t lose with those mistakes. Instead, they found a way to fight through them and when a play was needed, it was made. On both sides of the ball, the Hawkeyes had players step up to make key play after key play and overcame the things that have historically been their undoing en route to a 25-24 win over Penn State.
Now, Iowa turns their attention to Minnesota and the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
The Gophers are fresh off a 24-6 dismantling of the then #25 Nebraska Cornhuskers and come into the week at 5-2 overall, 3-1 in the Big Ten. Their schedule sets up nicely with just a trip to #6 Oregon left in terms of ranked matchups while host Michigan State, travel to Northwestern and close the year hosting Wisconsin. No doubt, they’ll be looking to avenge last year’s loss to the Hawkeyes and set the course for a potential 9-win season.
Iowa likely has other plans. The last time the Gophers came to Iowa City, they left with an illegal fair catch signal and a hotly contested W. The negated Cooper DeJean touchdown return ended an 8-game winning streak for the Hawkeyes over Minnesota and Iowa no doubt wants to lay the ground work for another long stretch of wins against the folks up north who hate us.
The Hawkeyes opened as heavy home favorites in this one. FanDuel Sportsbook opened the line at Iowa -7.5 on Sunday. That’s climbed up to -8.5 as of Tuesday morning with an over/under set at 38.5 total points. That gives us an implied final score of Iowa 23.5, Minnesota 15.
The Gophers come into the week averaging 21.25 points per game in Big Ten play. That’s skewed a bit by the 3 points they managed against #1 Ohio State. They scored 31, 27 and 24 against Rutgers, Purdue and Nebraska respectively.
Minnesota is led by RS freshman QB Drake Lindsay, who has 1,437 yards on 62% passing with 10 TDs and 3 INTs this year. The Gophers come in ranked 80th nationally in passing offense at just under 218 yards per game. That’s helped to offset a rushing offense that has struggled at times. Minnesota is 107th in the nation in rushing offense at just under 123 yards per game, led by junior RB Darius Taylor, who has 353 yards and a score this year while averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
The Gopher defense, like much of the Big Ten, has been stout. They’re giving up just 19 points per game, tied for 27th nationally. They rank 19th and 41st in the nation in rushing and pass defense respectively.
Here’s a quick look at the early details for Saturday’s matchup with Minnesota for the Floyd of Rosedale.
Date: Saturday, October 25th
Time: 2:35 pm CT
Matchup: Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-2, 3-1) at Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2, 3-1)
Location: Kinnick Stadium – Iowa City, Iowa
TV: CBS
Initial Weather Forecast: Cloudy with temps in the mid-50s, windy with a 25% chance of rain
FanDuel Opening Line: Iowa – 8.5, O/U 38.5
As a quick reminder, Saturday’s matchup is a blackout in Iowa City. It appears the Hawkeyes may be going with all-black uniforms. Whether we get a true alternate this week remains to be seen.
