After a week off to get healthy and prepare for the second half of the season, the Hawkeyes now hit the road for a second consecutive game as they travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Like Iowa, the Gophers have been off of bye preparing for this rivalry matchup.
While Minnesota is one of Iowa's oldest rivals and the two coaching staffs here have faced off for each of the last ten years, this era of college football dictates that many of the faces on the other sideline are different from year to year.
In the words of the wise and sage-like Big Tom Callahan, you can get a good look at a t-bone by sticking your head up a bull's rear end, but wouldn't you rather take the butcher's word for it?
So rather than sticking our head up anyone's rear end, we're asking our friends over at Gopher Hole for the inside info on the Minnesota Gophers. This week, we were joined by Noel Thompson of GH for a quick Q&A ahead of Iowa's matchup with Minnesota.
Here's a look at our conversation.
BHGP: We're at the midway point of the season and the Gophers are coming off the bye. Let's start by just taking stock of where things stand for Minnesota football, how the fans feel about the season to-date and what expectations look like for the back half of the season?
GH: It depends on whether you're asking about the Michigan or Purdue game. I had Minnesota at 4–2 heading into the bye, so technically I nailed it. Just don't ask me to show my work. I had the Gophers losing to Washington and Michigan, and instead they played really solid football against both. Winning at Washington was encouraging, and bringing home the Little Brown Jug was a huge moment. They looked like a team finding its footing.
Then Purdue happened. After two solid Big Ten wins, that loss really deflated the fanbase heading into the bye. Minnesota looked awful against both Mississippi State and Purdue, and getting pushed around at the line of scrimmage brought back concerns we thought the previous two wins had answered. The frustrating part is the gap between their best and worst performances. Being 4–2 with a trophy win is respectable, but how they got there makes it difficult to know what to expect next.
And there's nowhere to hide on the remaining schedule. Every game is either against a currently ranked opponent or has a trophy on the line. It's a huge stretch for Minnesota to figure things out and play consistent football. Bowl eligibility is the minimum expectation, while seven or eight wins would feel much better—especially with another rivalry win included. This team has shown it can win meaningful games. Now it needs to sustain that level, and beating Iowa would certainly restore some of the enthusiasm Purdue knocked out of everyone.
BHGP: On the offensive side of the ball, things have not exactly looked the way Iowa fans might have expected for the Gophers. But QB Drake Lindsey has been productive and relatively efficient, completing nearly 65% of his passes for 1,335 yards with 9 touchdowns. He's spread the ball around with a trio of receivers over 200 yards on the season, led by Javon Tracy 375 yards on 32 receptions. What has this passing attack looked like and what are the keys to making it effective against an Iowa defense that has struggled a bit given up plays through the air this season?
GH: The passing game has been the most encouraging part of an otherwise frustrating offense. Javon Tracy has been a reliable target, Jalen Smith gives Minnesota a downfield threat, and transfer receiver Noah Jennings has been a nice addition. Darius Taylor is also dangerous catching passes out of the backfield, and getting him the ball in space is another way to involve him when the running lanes aren't there. Lindsey has options; the challenge is getting this offense into a rhythm.
For all the offensive line's struggles in run blocking, I think it has protected Lindsey reasonably well. He has looked rattled at times—Mississippi State and stretches of the Michigan game come to mind—but the talent is there. There isn't a throw he can't make, and when he's comfortable and in rhythm, he can be a difference-maker.
Against Iowa, I want Minnesota to give him opportunities to establish that rhythm early. Throw on early downs, take the underneath completions, and pick your spots to attack downfield. Taylor can be a valuable outlet when those deeper routes aren't available. The Gophers can't keep putting Lindsey in third-and-long and expecting him to rescue possessions. The passing game needs to help open up the run, because waiting for the running game to set everything up hasn't worked consistently.
BHGP: Alright, to the elephant in the room on the offensive side of the ball for the Gophers. Minnesota has struggled mightily running the ball, which is completely out of character for a PJ Fleck coached team. They're 129th nationally in rushing offense and the exclamation point came in the loss to Purdue where the Gophers managed just 27 yards on 13 attempts. What's changed for the rushing attack vs what Iowa fans are used to seeing and how do you expect Fleck to try to turn things around against what has been a very effective Hawkeye run defense?
GH: The uncomfortable answer is that Minnesota's preferred offensive identity and its actual production are living at different addresses. This hasn't looked like the running game we're accustomed to under Fleck, and the problems start up front.
Minnesota is without its top two centers, which has forced some reshuffling. All-American Greg Johnson has filled that hole nicely. He's a stud, and I think he has first-round talent, but even with him anchoring things, this group has taken time to find its footing. The run blocking hasn't been consistent enough.
And it isn't just the offensive line. This is the youngest tight end room Fleck has had at Minnesota. There's plenty of talent, including true freshman Roman Voss, but that group has really struggled with run blocking. When you're having trouble creating movement up front and sealing the edge, there aren't many places for a back to go.
At full health, Darius Taylor is one of the conference's best tailbacks. We just haven't seen that version of him in a while. Fleck says he's healthy, but the explosiveness we're accustomed to hasn't been there. He can still make an impact, particularly catching passes out of the backfield, but I think it's time to hand the keys to Elon transfer TJ Thomas in the running game. He has looked explosive when given opportunities, and this offense desperately needs that spark.
Against Iowa, I'm looking for functional, not spectacular. Turn first-and-10 into second-and-6. Convert a short-yardage opportunity. I'd like to see Thomas get more carries, Taylor get space, and the passing game create room to run. Simply pounding away at Iowa's strength and hoping something changes doesn't feel like much of a plan. The bye gave us a chance to make adjustments; now we need to see them produce.
BHGP: Flipping to the other side of the ball, talk about the scheme here – anything different from a year ago? Who are the key names to know? And just to point the conversation a bit, the Gophers have been fine against the run on the whole, but in the two losses they've been absolutely thrashed on the ground, giving up 252 rushing yards to Mississippi State and 305 yards on the ground to Purdue. What's been the difference in those games vs the rest of the season?
GH: The defense looks more comfortable in year two under Danny Collins. The base is still a 4-2-5, with a few added wrinkles, but the biggest improvement to my eye is that players seem more on the same page. Minnesota has multiple guys who can disrupt an offense rather than needing one player to do everything.
Anthony Smith leads that group up front and was Cleveland.com's preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year pick. Cal transfer TJ Bush has been outstanding, with six tackles for loss and four sacks, and don't overlook Karter Menz, who has four tackles for loss and three sacks. Minnesota has players who can get after the quarterback. The problem is earning the opportunity to turn them loose.
Behind them, linebacker Maverick Baranowski is everywhere. He leads the team with 45 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and has a sack and an interception. Iowa fans will also recognize CB John Nestor, who has been excellent: 20 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, an interception, and 2 pass breakups.
The wins against Washington and Michigan showed how this defense is supposed to work. The run defense showed up, forced passing situations, and let Minnesota create chaos by getting after the quarterback. That's the formula. Against Purdue, the Gophers never established that first part. Fame Ijeboi ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns, while Ryan Browne added 81 rushing yards and another score. Minnesota couldn't contain either part of the running game, and its pass rush never got the chance to dictate the game.
Against Iowa, Minnesota has to earn the right to rush the passer by stopping the run first. Get off blocks, tackle cleanly, and force actual passing situations. If Iowa is comfortably picking up five or six yards on early downs, all those pass-rushing options won't mean much. We've seen this defense execute the formula against Washington and Michigan. The question is whether it can repeat it against an Iowa team that will test that run defense immediately.
BHGP: I've got to try and sneak in a special teams question here. The Gophers are a perfect 11 for 11 on field goals this season and 20 for 20 on extra points, but the stat sheet shows three different kickers making kicks thus far. What's the story there and who should Hawkeye fans expect to see if the game comes down to a kick? And then in the punting game, anything worth calling out either punting or returning?
GH: Minnesota fans are finally getting a taste of what Iowa fans have enjoyed for the last 20 years: special teams making a positive difference. And thankfully, three names on the kicking stat sheet doesn't mean we've spent six games holding emergency auditions.
Luke Drzewiecki is the guy to expect if this comes down to a kick. His arrival involved some eligibility uncertainty after four seasons at New Mexico and an appearance at the Ravens' rookie minicamp. He sat out Minnesota's opener, but he's been perfect since: 10-for-10 on field goals, including a 51-yarder at Washington. Last season at New Mexico, he went 18-for-19, with his 94.7% accuracy tied for the national lead. He's been a tremendous addition.
Daniel Jackson handled the opener's field goal and most of its extra points, while kickoff specialist Beckham Sunderland added an extra point. That explains the three names without much actual kicking drama, something Minnesota fans should appreciate.
Punter Tom Weston has been excellent at flipping the field. His 41.5-yard average doesn't tell the whole story: 13 of his 25 punts have landed inside the opponent's 20, and nine inside the 10. That placement can make a real difference in a game like this.
And Javon Tracy is a huge factor on punt returns. He has 299 return yards, a 17.6-yard average, and two touchdowns. He gives Minnesota a chance to change a game without the offense taking the field. The muffed punt against Purdue reminded everyone that ball security still comes first, but overall, special teams have become a legitimate reason to believe Minnesota can win a close game. Iowa fans should recognize the feeling.
BHGP: Alright, prediction time. FanDuel Sportsbook opened with Iowa as a 4.5-point favorite. That's climbed to 6.5 points as of the middle of the week. What's your prediction for this matchup and what are the keys to the Gophers keeping Floyd north of the border?
GH: My heart would like to remind everyone that Minnesota beat Michigan pretty good. My head wants to talk about the line of scrimmage. The Purdue loss is still haunting me. It's amazing how quickly one game can deflate expectations after two wins had you feeling pretty good.
For me, this comes down to consistency. Iowa is the definition of consistency—you know what you're getting, and you know they'll make you earn it. Minnesota has shown it can play really good football, but I need to see that more consistently before I feel comfortable picking the Gophers in this matchup.
Minnesota's path is fairly clear: keep Iowa from controlling the game on the ground, protect the football, and give Lindsey opportunities on early downs so the offense isn't constantly trying to escape third-and-long. A big return or takeaway would help. Settling for field goals on every promising possession probably won't. I also want Minnesota to play with enough confidence to pursue the win rather than spend three quarters hoping Iowa makes the first mistake.
My pick is Iowa 24, Minnesota 21. Home field and the bye make me expect a close game, but Iowa's consistency and the rushing matchup give the Hawkeyes the edge. Minnesota already proved my Washington and Michigan predictions wrong. I'd happily go 0-for-3.
So there you have it, the Hawkeyes live on to keep their playoff hopes alive thanks in part to their consistency.
Thanks again to Noel from Gopher Hole for taking the time to talk Iowa vs Minnesota with us. Be sure to take a look at their other content from this week previewing the matchup. That includes my answers to his questions on the other end of this back and forth which will be out later this week.
Go Hawks!
