Minnesota (4-5 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) at No. 9 Iowa (9-0 overall, 5-0 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. CT – Iowa City, Iowa
Stadium: Kinnick Stadium (70,585)
TV/Radio: BTN, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 62-44-2
Last Meeting: November 8, 2014; Minnesota won 51-14 at TCF Bank Stadium
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (17th season, 124-85)
National Championships: Minnesota (7); Iowa (1)
INSIDE THE GAME
New Leader
Following Jerry Kill’s sudden retirement last month, defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys took over as acting head coach. On Wednesday, the University of Minnesota announced Claeys as permanent head coach with a three-year contract.
“I’ve always wanted to do this and be a head coach, but not as long as I worked for Coach Kill,” said Claeys. “And again, thank God he trained me as good as he did, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to feel like I’m prepared to do that.”
Trophy Game
The Gophers lead the all-time series against Iowa, 62-44-3, and have won three of the last five battles for Floyd of Rosedale. A primetime game at Kinnick Stadium will have the Gophers fired up for the rivalry matchup.
“Again, being the trophy game, bordering states, any time you play teams from bordering states there’s a bragging right that goes along with it,” said Claeys. “Yeah, there will be a lot of excitement. Our kids will be excited. They’ll be excited. A night game there.”
Fond Memories
The matchup with the Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium last season was a delight for the Maroon and Gold. The Gophers put up 51 points thanks to 291 rushing yards and four touchdown passes from Mitch Leidner. Minnesota went on to win 51-14 to take home Floyd of Rosedale.
“It snowballed,” said Claeys of last year’s game. “You have games like that. We weren’t that many points better than Iowa last year. Good football team. Just so happens between the turnovers and everything, just snowballed, got on a roll, more things went our way that day.”
The Gophers expect a different type of game against the unbeaten Hawkeyes this Saturday.
“They’re playing better this year, there’s no question,” said Claeys. “They’ve kind of gelled. Things are going their way. It will be a tremendous challenge. At the same time, being a trophy game, our kids will be excited. I expect us to play well. It will be a tough environment.”
Matchup to Watch
Minnesota offensive line vs. Iowa defensive line: A week after rushing for only 33 yards on 26 carries against Ohio State, the Golden Gophers will face another stingy defensive line. The Hawkeyes’ defense leads the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed (3) and yields only 101.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks ninth nationally.
“They’ve always been a beast as far as their front four,” said Matt Limegrover of the Iowa defensive line. “Trying to run the football against them has always been a challenge. You have to get a little creative, play to your guys’ strengths. If you try to go toe to toe with that group, they’re going to beat you down.”
STORYLINE CENTRAL
It came as a surprise to some when it was announced the Hawkeyes were ranked fifth in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings. Josh Moyer of ESPN has a good recap of Iowa’s rise to the cusp of the four-team playoff.
The Hawkeyes have a stable of four running backs who are helping Iowa run for 205 yards per game – good for second in the conference. Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register has the latest on Iowa’s running back situation.
Also from Leistikow, the Hawkeyes aren’t quick to forget last year’s devastating 51-14 loss. It’s certainly an interesting read to see the game from the other side.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can keep the recent aerial attack going. Last week, against one of the top defenses in the country, the Gophers passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns. If the Maroon and Gold want to upset the Hawkeyes, they’ll need a similar performance from Mitch Leidner and the Gopher receivers.
“Teams are still under the thought process that they’re not going to let us run the football, they’re going to get one more in the box than we have,” said Limegrover. “They’re going to keep daring us to throw the football. Each and every week we get more comfortable with that facet of things.”
The Hawkeyes Win If…
They can continue their trend of forcing turnovers while their offense holds on to the ball. Last year, the Hawkeyes turned the ball over three times and didn’t force one of their own against the Gophers. This season, Iowa has turned the tables – ranking first in the Big Ten in turnover margin at +11.
“There’s no question they’re playing as a complete team,” said Claeys of Iowa. “Last year they made more mistakes. This is a typical Iowa team. You don’t see them making a lot of mistakes to beat themselves. They’re going to make you beat them. It will be a challenge.”