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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Pregame Musings: Iowa vs. Minnesota

October 8, 2016
Iowa and Minnesota line up on the line of scrimmage during the Iowa-Minnesota game at Kinnick on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2013. The Hawkeyes defeated the Golden Gophers, 40-35 to stay perfect on the season. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

By DI Pregame Staff

MINNEAPOLIS — It’s cold here.

No, seriously, we woke up this morning, and it was frosty and cold and perfect FOOTBAWL weather. I’m sure it’s also chilly in Iowa City, but all of the sudden this weather has definitely shifted, and it finally feels like fall.

Anyways. Iowa. Minnesota. Floyd. Rivalry. This should be an entertaining game. Two quarterbacks with a good deal of experience are going to battle defenses that both had had lapses at different times this season. Lots of running-back talent. We’re pumped.

This game also has Big Ten West implications, with the winner basically staying alive in the race for Indianapolis.

The Gophers also hate Iowa, and the Hawkeyes don’t really like them, either, so this game will probably be interesting. Anyways, on to predictions.

What’s gonna happen

Jordan — Last night before I went to bed, I’m fairly sure that I mumbled Minnesota was going to win this game 35-7. I don’t know why exactly I thought that (though I have my suspicions).

Perhaps it was just the verbalization of a feeling I’ve had all week: This game has 2014 written all over it. That was an ugly game but all standard for the Hawkeyes, and there’s just something wounded about Iowa right now.

That said, I would be completely unsurprised if C.J. Beathard hit a few play-action passes and the Hawkeyes won by two touchdowns. Except, even as I type those words, they don’t feel true. There’s just something miserable about this 2016 season for Iowa, and I don’t think there’s a whole lot that can be done.

Going with the half-asleep/whatever prediction. Maybe it was a premonition.

Minnesota 35, Iowa 7

…

Courtney — Although most of Iowa’s players and coaches have said that today is “just another game,” it’s the make-it-or-break-it point for the team’s season, in my humble opinion.

Coming off of that rough loss to Northwestern in the first Big Ten home game of the season should light a fire in the Hawkeyes — which will be needed, by the way, because it’s cold in Minnesota.

That being said, Iowa is still going to lose to the Gophers.

I can see it being a similar story line to last weekend. The two teams will go back and forth scoring the whole game, and it will stay close the entire time, but Iowa will have the slight edge — maybe 3 points. Then, as we have seen all too often, Minnesota will score with six or seven minutes left in the game, and Iowa will not convert either of the two times it has the ball after that.

Minnesota 28, Iowa 24

Whom to watch

Jordan — Mitch Leidner, QB, Minnesota

Is Mitch Leidner any good? That’s a million-dollar question. Literally, look:

Miami, Chicago, New York — you could make a pretty strong argument a couple of those teams are looking pretty hard for a quarterback in next year’s draft, which is pretty shallow when it comes to QB depth. Both Leidner and Beathard will probably spend some time in the NFL. Pretty good opportunity for scouts to watch them both.

…

Courtney — Akrum Wadley, running back, Iowa

Akrum Wadley was the lone player at Tuesday’s media availability to say that the game was “must win” for the Hawkeyes. That’s proof enough for me that the junior running back will be the one to make a difference in today’s game.

 

 

 

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