Iowa is coming off a much-needed bye week and will feel rejuvenated before another crucial Big Ten road game.
The Hawkeyes are in Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and they want to keep the Floyd of Rosedale trophy in Iowa City where it belongs. Iowa is an early favorite, but anything can happen in a rivalry matchup. Although Iowa is a slight favorite, we have three bold predictions that suggest a much larger margin of victory.
No. 1: Iowa runs for over 300 yards, 3 touchdowns against Minnesota
Iowa's rushing attack has been inconsistent this season, but when everything is clicking, it is hard to stop. The offensive line is still gelling after replacing three key players from last season, but center Cael Winter is adamant that we haven't seen their best football yet. Iowa has rushed for over 250 yards in three games this season, including week one against Northern Illinois (289 yards), week three against Northern Iowa (422 yards), and week six against Washington (263 yards), and will do it again against Minnesota.
Kamari Moulton tallied a career-high 208 rushing yards against Washington before the bye week, and he is primed for another big game against a porous Minnesota defense. The Golden Gophers allowed Purdue to rush for 305 yards and four rushing touchdowns, and the Hawkeyes have a deeper running back room. There is no doubt the Hawkeyes will try to establish the run early to take pressure off quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski, and they will succeed.
Kamari Moulton will go over 150 rushing yards as the Hawkeyes have another big day on the ground, racking up 310 rushing yards and a big victory against Minnesota.
No. 2: The defense will dominate, holding Minnesota to under 200 total yards
Iowa's defense has been susceptible in the passing game, but has played solid overall. The struggles up front have been well-documented, and although Iowa has decent sack numbers, they have come on carefully timed blitzes from Phil Parker. The defensive line knows it must play better, and it will against Minnesota. Iowa is a second-half program, and the bye week will help the defensive line. Bryce Hawthorne has been Iowa's best defensive lineman, and if the other three step up, Iowa's defense becomes even scarier
Minnesota has been better through the air than on the ground through six games, and the Hawkeyes must exploit that. The defense has been exceptional against the run and must use the same strategy as they did last season. Last season, the Hawkeyes completely shut down the run and forced Drake Lindsey to throw. Lindsey threw two interceptions, including a costly pick-six last season, and he won't be any luckier this season.
Look for a few turnovers from the Iowa secondary, especially with a healthy Zach Lutmer lurking. If Purdue's defense can hold Minnesota to 275 yards, a more talented Iowa defense will do even better. Iowa will hold Minnesota's offense under 200 yards and win big.
No. 3: Iowa wins by three scores
Games between Iowa and Minnesota have traditionally been close, but with Minnesota struggling to stop the run, Iowa has a chance to win big again this season. Iowa's blueprint from last season's 41-3 win remains the same, and a healthy Kamari Moulton and a deep running back room give Iowa a distinct advantage. If L.J. Phillips is back to full strength after tweaking his ankle against Washington, Iowa has a solid 1-2 backfield punch that can throw haymakers at Minnesota's defense.
If Phillips Jr. isn't fully healthy, the Hawkeyes still have a full complement of talented rushers itching to get a chance, and Minnesota won't know what hit them. Iowa's offense will put up numbers this week and help the squad earn a big win. Iowa's defense dominates, and its offense lights up the scoreboard as the Hawkeyes win by three scores or more.
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