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Gophers Game Preview: Battle to Bring Floyd Home
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/706333?referrer_id=331171
Iowa (3-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (3-1 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
TV/Radio: ESPN2, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (18th season)
Spread: Iowa -1½, o/u: 51
INSIDE THE GAME
Hawkeyes at a Glance
Iowa trails Minnesota by five victories in the battle for Floyd. Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes have really closed the distance, recently, winning 11 of the last 15 meetings.
The good news is, Iowa has struggled mightily in Minneapolis–winning only 16 times in 56 games.
Linebacker Josey Jewell was nearly unblockable last week against Northwestern. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior racked up a career-high 16 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss, and one pass defended.
Jewell ranks second in the Big Ten, averaging 9.8 tackles per game.
Keep an eye on consensus All-American and Thorpe award-winner, Desmond King. The senior shut-down cornerback has surrendered only seven receptions for 43 yards this season.
Iowa is +5 in turnover margin, Minnesota is +2.
Coach Speak
“No. Because every good one there's a bad one. It's one of those things where they go back and forth. That's how rivalries should be. You know, they're physical games, and so we've been on both ends of them, but obviously, like I said, there's good ones but there's some pretty bad ones, too.” – Tracy Claeys on if any moments stand out to him against Iowa
STORYLINE CENTRAL
The folks at Black Heart Gold Pants ran a simulation, and, surprise, it has the Gophers winning. Now, we’re not sure how accurate this is, but we’ll take it.
Jordan Hansen of the Daily Iowan starts his story off right, talking about the 51-14 beatdown of the Hawkeyes in 2014. From, though, Hansen takes a look at how this game against Minnesota is a crossroads for the stumbling Hawkeyes.
Steve Batterson with the Quad City Times goes through 10 questions (just ignore No. 9 and 10) about the Hawkeyes prior to the weekend. The first eight questions are good for a quick rundown of an Iowa reporter’s view of the matchup.
Marc Morehouse from the Cedar Rapids Gazette takes an in-depth look at the position group battles we’ll see on Saturday. The best news is Morehouse predicts a narrow Gopher win, 24-21.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can stop the run. Yes, Iowa’s ground attack hasn’t been great this year at 143 yards per game, they’ve gashed Minnesota in their last two victories over the Gophers. In 2013, we saw Iowa rack up 246 yards and 2015 wasn’t any better at 272 rushing yards to go with five touchdowns. Minnesota’s run defense has been strong thus far, and will be much healthier than the last matchup with Iowa.
“[The D line is] healthy, and, you know, on both sides of the ball, if you look at the game, that's who wins it, whoever controls the line of scrimmage, and so that's why you play the game, and it will be our best versus their best, and whoever wins, obviously, up front, will play a big part whether we win the game or not,” said Tracy Claeys.
The Hawkeyes Win If…
They can force the Gophers into more stupid penalties. Against Penn State, the Gophers couldn’t get out of their own way, committing eight penalties for 83 yards. Minnesota ranks dead last in the conference with over 75 yards of penalties per game. In a rivalry series where the games are usually close, a big penalty here and there can certainly be a difference, and the Hawkeyes have been the more disciplined team early in the season.
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/706333?referrer_id=331171
Iowa (3-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (3-1 overall, 0-1 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
TV/Radio: ESPN2, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (18th season)
Spread: Iowa -1½, o/u: 51
INSIDE THE GAME
Hawkeyes at a Glance
Iowa trails Minnesota by five victories in the battle for Floyd. Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes have really closed the distance, recently, winning 11 of the last 15 meetings.
The good news is, Iowa has struggled mightily in Minneapolis–winning only 16 times in 56 games.
Linebacker Josey Jewell was nearly unblockable last week against Northwestern. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior racked up a career-high 16 tackles, 1½ tackles for loss, and one pass defended.
Jewell ranks second in the Big Ten, averaging 9.8 tackles per game.
Keep an eye on consensus All-American and Thorpe award-winner, Desmond King. The senior shut-down cornerback has surrendered only seven receptions for 43 yards this season.
Iowa is +5 in turnover margin, Minnesota is +2.
Coach Speak
“No. Because every good one there's a bad one. It's one of those things where they go back and forth. That's how rivalries should be. You know, they're physical games, and so we've been on both ends of them, but obviously, like I said, there's good ones but there's some pretty bad ones, too.” – Tracy Claeys on if any moments stand out to him against Iowa
STORYLINE CENTRAL
The folks at Black Heart Gold Pants ran a simulation, and, surprise, it has the Gophers winning. Now, we’re not sure how accurate this is, but we’ll take it.
Jordan Hansen of the Daily Iowan starts his story off right, talking about the 51-14 beatdown of the Hawkeyes in 2014. From, though, Hansen takes a look at how this game against Minnesota is a crossroads for the stumbling Hawkeyes.
Steve Batterson with the Quad City Times goes through 10 questions (just ignore No. 9 and 10) about the Hawkeyes prior to the weekend. The first eight questions are good for a quick rundown of an Iowa reporter’s view of the matchup.
Marc Morehouse from the Cedar Rapids Gazette takes an in-depth look at the position group battles we’ll see on Saturday. The best news is Morehouse predicts a narrow Gopher win, 24-21.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can stop the run. Yes, Iowa’s ground attack hasn’t been great this year at 143 yards per game, they’ve gashed Minnesota in their last two victories over the Gophers. In 2013, we saw Iowa rack up 246 yards and 2015 wasn’t any better at 272 rushing yards to go with five touchdowns. Minnesota’s run defense has been strong thus far, and will be much healthier than the last matchup with Iowa.
“[The D line is] healthy, and, you know, on both sides of the ball, if you look at the game, that's who wins it, whoever controls the line of scrimmage, and so that's why you play the game, and it will be our best versus their best, and whoever wins, obviously, up front, will play a big part whether we win the game or not,” said Tracy Claeys.
The Hawkeyes Win If…
They can force the Gophers into more stupid penalties. Against Penn State, the Gophers couldn’t get out of their own way, committing eight penalties for 83 yards. Minnesota ranks dead last in the conference with over 75 yards of penalties per game. In a rivalry series where the games are usually close, a big penalty here and there can certainly be a difference, and the Hawkeyes have been the more disciplined team early in the season.