A primetime showdown for the Floyd of Rosedale
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) open up Big Ten conference play against the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Can Iowa score on offense?
Kaleb Johnson is the name to know here. Since missing the first half of the Hawkeyes’ season opener due to a suspension, the third-year running back has carried the ball 61 times for 479 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. Johnson is their most electric playmaker and bottling him up will be the focus of the Gophers’ defensive game plan.
Even with Brian Ferentz out as offensive coordinator and replaced by former Western Michigan head coach Tim Lester, the quarterback position remains a problem. Former Michigan signal caller Cade McNamara looked encouraging in the second half against FCS Illinois State, but since then is a combined 32-of-52 for 275 passing yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. His decision-making and accuracy have had Hawkeye fans wondering what their NIL dollars paid for.
McNamara does not have a standout wide receiver, though Northwestern transfer Jacob Gill has been his most consistent pass catcher through the first three games with 12 receptions for 137 receiving yards and one touchdown. Freshman Reece Vander Zee had a breakout game in the season opener (5 catches for 66 receiving yards and two touchdowns) but has been quiet since then. As has often been the case over the years, tight ends represent three of the team’s Top 5 pass catchers, led by Luke Lachey with nine receptions for 88 receiving yards.
The Hawkeyes have had issues in the red zone this season. It was a contributing factor in their loss to Iowa State, during which they settled for two field goals inside of the Cyclones’ 5-yard line. So last week against Troy they introduced a special red zone package for back-up signal caller Brendan Sullivan, who is more of a dual-threat quarterback than McNamara.
Please tell me the Gophers will be able to score
Minnesota has struggled to run the ball consistently this season and I’m not sure if that’ll change against an Iowa defense that has held all three of its opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards. That is characteristic of a Phil Parker-coached defense, but what is uncharacteristic is allowing explosive plays. The Hawkeyes like to play zone coverage and keep everything in front of them, yet have been torched for touchdown passes of 75, 63, and 62 yards in their last two games.
There is a lot of talent and experience in the back end of this defense, too. Cornerback Jermari Harris, free safety Quinn Schulte, and nickel back Sebastian Castro are all sixth-year players.
The defensive front is also loaded with veterans, with two sixth-year senior starters and four fifth-year senior starters, including All-American linebacker Jay Higgins.
It will be interesting to see what game plan offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. draws up for this defense, because clearly Iowa is vulnerable in the secondary, but Minnesota also can’t afford to be one-dimensional on offense and allow the Hawkeyes’ pass rush to pin their ears back in pursuit of quarterback Max Brosmer. The Gophers have used the short passing game as a substitute for their lack of a ground game and I expect that to continue against Iowa.
But who will score more points on Saturday?
Floyd stays home. Minnesota 16, Iowa 9.