For the first time in 2024, the Hawkeyes will be on the road as they travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Big Ten Conference opener. Both teams enter the day 2-1 and are untested in the conference. Notably, both teams have lost their only meeting with Power Five opponents.
The Gophers were thwarted by a last-second missed field goal in their first home game against North Carolina, in a game in which they were without their best runner, Darius Taylor. Taylor begins the day averaging 7.5 yards per carry, but is the team’s second-best player as the Gophers look to score the ball.
Despite this effort from PJ Fleck and Co., Minnesota is quite powerful in the air after signing FCS All-American QB Max Brosmer, who is completing a very good 69% of his passes this year. Even though the Gophers haven’t plowed the ball down the field this year, they have several receivers capable of shutting down this Iowa defense that has struggled with big plays so far in 2024.
Will that be the case again tonight with TJ Hall and Xavier Nwankpa struggling? Or will Phil Parker’s defense be as good and stifling as it has been in years past? And if he lets the defense suffocate Minnesota, will the offense finally be able to win a game and avenge the loss a year ago?
Our answers are on the way as the Hawkeyes face the Gophers in the Battle of Floyd of Rosedale!
Here is a quick reminder of the details of today’s encounter:
Date: Saturday, September 21
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Comparison: Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1, 0-0) at Minnesota Gophers (2-1)
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
TV: NBC
Updated weather forecast: clear skies with temperatures around 24 degrees, wind speed 8-16 km/h
Updated DraftKings Line: Iowa -2.5, Over/Under 35
Odds/lines are subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for further details.
The usual rules apply again today. Be polite in the comments. No personal attacks, no politics, keep the language somewhat under control and please report any spam bots that happen to show their digital face.
Let’s go, Hawks!
