Minnesota vs. Iowa football preview

Golden Gophers host Hawkeyes in battle for Floyd of Rosedale

College football has its great border rivalries. Michigan-Ohio State, Texas-Oklahoma. Georgia-Florida.

But the underrated rivalry is Minnesota-Iowa. Since 1935, the teams have battled for a bronzed pig named Floyd. Floyd of Rosedale to be precise. The rivalry is older than that since Saturday’s game at the Metrodome marks the 102 nd edition of this game.

There is nothing on the line here. Both teams are out of the Big 10 race. Both teams are finishing the regular season and getting ready to go to bowls.

But there are the bragging rights – oh, and Floyd. The game also marks the last for the Golden Gophers in the Metrodome. They’ve called it home since 1982 when they moved out of Memorial Stadium. Next year, the Gophers move into TCF Bank Stadium. What’s notable about the Metrodome is that half of the building is filled with Iowa fans for this game.

“I don’t think I’ll miss the Metrodome too much at all,’’ quarterback Adam Weber said. “But football is meant to be played outdoors. We’ve been missing out on something very special that college football brings.’’

This is a game that features two teams going in different directions. The Hawkeyes have won four of their last five including a great last-second 24-23 upset against Penn St. The win probably saved coach Kirk Ferentz’s job. Now with a win, the Hawkeyes have a chance to play in a New Year’s Day Bowl.

Minnesota has lost its last three including last week to Wisconsin when it blew a 21-7 halftime lead and fell, 35-32.

Minnesota’s problem is its lack of discipline. The Gophers have committed 22 penalties in those three games, an average of seven per. And teams just won’t win when they jump offsides, commit illegal procedure mistakes or are guilty of personal fouls. Minnesota is most penalized team in the conference with 72 for 619 yards.

While the offense has pretty much ground to a halt, the defense has started to sag after a good start. Now, it has surrendered 88 points in the last three games.

The defense has a great test against Iowa, which features talented running back Shon Greene. Greene has accounted for 1,585 yards.

Minnesota has been decent against the run allowing 140 yards per game but the Gophers need linebacker Lee Campbell and safety Kyle Theret back in the lineup. The two left the Wisconsin game with ankle injuries, but coach Tim Brewster thought they could be ready.

The good news is that wide receiver Eric Decker will return from his ankle injury. He was missed last week. He is not 100 percent, but he will play. Minnesota just needs some good news somewhere.

“Just to break the losing streak, win a big game, and then go to bowl practices would be great,’’ senior linebacker Deon Hightower said. “If we win this, we have a different attitude going to the bowl practices and a winning mentality.’’

If they have a little focus and a little discipline, the Gophers can win this game. That’s just the problem. They haven’t had either recently.

Prediction: Iowa 29, Minnesota 24

Notable for the Gophers:

• Minnesota does not currently hold any of the four trophies it plays for. That includes the Governor’s Bell (Penn St.), Little Brown Jug (Minnesota), Paul Bunyan Axe (Wisconsin) and Floyd of Rosedale (Iowa).
• Quarterback Adam Weber’s .638 completion percentage is second in the Big Ten, while his 38 career touchdown passes are 4th in school history.
• Senior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg had two sacks and three tackles for loss. His three TFL’s give him 43½ for his career to pass John Schlecht (43) for the school’s all-time lead.

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