Iceland12
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The Gophers (6-2, 3-1) have finished with more than seven wins just once the past decade (going 8-5 last year)."This is a rivalry game," coach Jerry Kill said. "It means a ton to our state. It means a ton to our university, and where we're at right now.
"So I think you literally concentrate on that, and then you go to the next (game)."
The Hawkeyes (6-2, 3-1) have posted an 18-18 Big Ten record since 2009.
"I wish we were undefeated," coach Kirk Ferentz said. "We set out the season to try and win every game, just like every team in our conference, I'm sure."
Skeptics can point to Minnesota's lackluster passing attack (49.7 percent completion rate, 140.5 yards per game).
A 28-24 loss to previously-winless-in-the-Big-Ten Illinois also raised eyebrows.
Are the Gophers legitimate?
"If you don't have to compete against them, you can make (comments) like that," Ferentz said. "If you actually watch film and watch how programs are built and watch how teams are built …
"You know, it's a lot easier to talk about things if you're not having to do it. People are probably saying the same thing about us."
Yes, they are.
The Hawkeyes were embarrassed throughout a 38-31 loss at Maryland, and sheepishly escaped with narrow victories against Northern Iowa and Ball State.
"That's how things go sometimes, when you're dealing with young people and so forth," Kill said of Iowa. "You get on a roll, you gain confidence.
"They've always gotten better as the year goes on. ... Everybody starts to question (the Hawkeyes), and then they roll it off and all of a sudden they got nine, 10 wins. They don't panic. They don't listen to anybody outside.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...esota-gophers-big-ten-west-division/18645753/
"So I think you literally concentrate on that, and then you go to the next (game)."
The Hawkeyes (6-2, 3-1) have posted an 18-18 Big Ten record since 2009.
"I wish we were undefeated," coach Kirk Ferentz said. "We set out the season to try and win every game, just like every team in our conference, I'm sure."
Skeptics can point to Minnesota's lackluster passing attack (49.7 percent completion rate, 140.5 yards per game).
A 28-24 loss to previously-winless-in-the-Big-Ten Illinois also raised eyebrows.
Are the Gophers legitimate?
"If you don't have to compete against them, you can make (comments) like that," Ferentz said. "If you actually watch film and watch how programs are built and watch how teams are built …
"You know, it's a lot easier to talk about things if you're not having to do it. People are probably saying the same thing about us."
Yes, they are.
The Hawkeyes were embarrassed throughout a 38-31 loss at Maryland, and sheepishly escaped with narrow victories against Northern Iowa and Ball State.
"That's how things go sometimes, when you're dealing with young people and so forth," Kill said of Iowa. "You get on a roll, you gain confidence.
"They've always gotten better as the year goes on. ... Everybody starts to question (the Hawkeyes), and then they roll it off and all of a sudden they got nine, 10 wins. They don't panic. They don't listen to anybody outside.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...esota-gophers-big-ten-west-division/18645753/