7:05 pm
November 13

Iowa @ Minnesota

NCF: Who will WIN this matchup?

Iowa Hawkeyes (1-2)

@ Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-2)

 

Current odds:

Iowa Hawkeyes: (-170)

Minnesota Golden Gophers: (+150)

 

• The line for this game is Iowa by 3 points.

• Iowa’s defense made life miserable for Michigan State quarterbacks last week, producing two sacks, three interceptions and five quarterback hurries while forcing the Spartans into 21 incompletions in the Hawkeyes’ blowout victory. Iowa (1-2 overall and in Big Ten) is in search of its first winning streak of the young season, visiting the Golden Gophers (1-2) with the Floyd of Rosedale trophy on the line.

• The Golden Gophers, who also are coming off their first victory of 2020, boast the top offense in the Big Ten West, averaging 439.3 yards while scoring 109 points.

• Minnesota defeated host Illinois 41-14 on Saturday behind a standout performance from running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who rushed 30 times for 224 yards and four touchdowns. Ibrahim, who garnered conference offensive player of the week honors, has gained a conference-best 571 yards on 5.9 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns through three games.

• Iowa also enjoyed success on the ground Saturday, with Tyler Goodson rushing 14 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the 49-7 win. The Hawkeyes also got a special teams touchdown as well as three takeaways that created prime field position. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz credited an effective and efficient defensive line rotation that limited the visitors to 59 rushing yards while keeping Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi uncomfortable.

• Iowa enters Friday’s game with five consecutive victories in the series, which means Floyd of Rosedale — the statuette of the bronze pig that has served as the rivalry trophy in the series since 1935 — has resided in Iowa City for half a decade. That matches its longest stint ever in Iowa’s hands.

• In the schools’ 2019 meeting in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes stormed to a 20-3 lead midway through the second quarter before holding on for a 23-19 victory to ruin the No. 8 Golden Gophers’ bid for an undefeated season and possible spot in the College Football Playoff.

• Minnesota leads the all-time series 62-49-2, but the gulf is much closer in the Floyd of Rosedale series, which the Golden Gophers lead 42-41-2.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Iowa Hawkeyes
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