Is it me or does this year’s battle for the Floyd of Rosedale seem to be missing the usual hate leading up to the game?
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Welcome to hate week.
The Hawkeyes went 3-1 in games decided by seven points or less in 2002, 3-0 in 2003, 5-0 in 2004 and 3-2 in 2007. The College Football Playoff committee ranked you 4th?
The Hawkeyes have enjoyed nine “team wins” this season; Blythe called last year’s debacle in Minnesota a “team loss”. Just wondering what your thoughts were because… They might be able to expunge those demons from your soul.
Beathard and Iowa’s rush defense have teamed up to be dominant this season in the fourth quarter. There’s no blood left in that stone. “If we can finish them out and do it in a good way, we’ve got a chance”.
Clearly still hampered by a groin injury that’s bugged him for much of the season, Beathard gutted out a gritty performance on Saturday, his toughness epitomized by giving up his body on a dive for the goal line late in the first half. The last thing we want is Mitch Leidner out there wheeling and dealing because Iowa lost contain and their linebackers are 15 yards up the field focusing on the receivers. Iowa doesn’t beat itself – Minnesota needs it to. Sure, we hate each other. But didn’t Minnesota curb stomp Iowa a year ago to the tune of 51-14? Ranked ahead of the Hawkeyes, however, are a pair of one-loss teams in No. 2 Alabama and No. 4 Notre Dame. “We’re focused on this year’s team and we’ll be prepared”. Check out the Minnesota vs. Iowa game preview and prediction. But the players have, and apparently they’re a hit.
-WR K.J. Maye continued his breakout season, hauling in 10 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State. Their offense has been stagnant, but they did erupt in impressive fashion against Minnesota (until the end of the game). Iowa isn’t going to blow it now.
A trophy of a bronze hog is at stake when No. 8 University of Iowa entertains Minnesota on November 14 inside Kinnick Stadium.
TDG: Both of these teams’ strength lies in their defense. We play a few defense in the B1G ya’ll. The game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov 14 and will be available on BTN and BTN2. The Golden Gophers may get a boost from this being the first time Tracy Claeys will take the field as the full-time coach after having the “interim” tag removed on Wednesday. There have been a few minor injuries in the secondary, but nothing that’s kept guys out of action for several weeks, which has been a plus.
-CB Desmond King leads the nation with eight interceptions after picking off a pass at Indiana.
Iowa’s unswerving approach to every game has produced positive results; positive results have produced national headlines. “They’ve got our attention now”. Surprisingly, Iowa’s passing S&P+ rating (50th) is higher than their rushing S&P+ rating (63rd). Last week, the Buckeyes offense missed Barrett.
“That was epic”, Iowa running back Akrum Wadley said. “You don’t have to remind yourself when you’re playing for the pig”. If Brooks and Smith are out, senior Rodrick Williams would get a bulk of the work at running back. LeShun Daniels, the starter at the beginning of the season, is healthy and ready to go. He has also rushed 12 times for 39 yards and one score.
“This is a special team”. Win those two after getting by Minnesota, and the Big Ten championship is for a spot in the playoff. Texas beating Oklahoma this year is becoming more inexplicable by the week. Only Ohio State runs for more yards per game in the Big Ten than Iowa. Insane things happen when people who strongly dislike each other meet.
Iowa heads into Saturday’s game against Minnesota in search of its first-ever 10-0 start in because of the sensational play of their gutsy junior quarterback from Franklin, Tennessee.
“It wasn’t a fun experience, something we don’t want to go through again, ” Walsh said. But that’s a very small part of me.
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Iowa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games. I think they’re going to be fired up to play under the lights and in new uniforms. I think they’re excited to keep this whole insane season rolling along. Iowa can top most teams in terms of time of possession.
