Minnesota Football Gameday Central: Keys to victory, predictions, and more
It’s another Minnesota football gameday!
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-2, 3-1) travel to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday to face the Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2, 3-1). With kickoff getting closer, Gophers Nation provides our keys to victory for the Gophers on Saturday afternoon, as well as our prediction for the game.
Game / Broadcast Details
Where: Iowa City, Iowa
Stadium: Kinnick Stadium (69,250)
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Odds: Minnesota is an 8.5-point underdog to Iowa, with the total currently set at 39.5 points according to BetMGM.
How to watch, stream Minnesota Football vs Iowa
Saturday’s game will be televised on CBS, with Brad Nessler handling the play-by-play, Gary Danielson serving as the analyst, and Jenny Dell on the sidelines. Fans can also listen to the game on KFAN 100.3 with Mike Grimm, Darrell Thompson, and Justin Gaard on the call.
Minnesota’s Keys to Victory
KEY TO VICTORY #1: Winning in the trenches
To beat the Hawkeyes, you have to outphysical the Hawkeyes. Very few teams can do that successfully, but if the Gophers hope to bring home Floyd on Saturday, they’ll have to do just that. Last week, we saw the Gophers on both sides of the ball play by far their best game in the trenches. It resulted in a season high (vs FBS competition) of 186 rushing yards on the ground while keeping the Cornhuskers to just 1.2 yards per carry on defense, as well as a program record nine sacks. If the Gophers replicate that performance on Saturday, they’ll have an outstanding chance to walk away with a victory.
KEY TO VICTORY #2: Keep Mark Gronowski in the pocket
This was a major point of discussion for Gophers’ defensive coordinator Danny Collins this week. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski is a true dual-threat quarterback. After being banged up most of the season, a healthy Gronowski torched Penn State on the ground last weekend for nine carries and 130 yards. He may not be the fastest, but he’s an agile and smart runner. If you let him get loose, he can easily make it result in a 15-20 yard run.
KEY TO VICTORY #3: Special teams
As usual, special teams are likely to be a big part of this rivalry game on Saturday. The Gophers will have to put together one of their best special team performances of the season in the process. Kicker Brady Denaburg will need to continue his strong back-to-back performances, making all three of his kicks in the last two games. However, his struggles from 40+ yards in his career are a concern in a game like this. Punt returns are likely to be a big factor in this one as well, the first to rip off a big return between the Gophers’ Koi Perich and Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen, just may decide the game.
PREDICTIONS
Dylan Callaghan-Croley (Gophers Nation):
If Minnesota is going to win this game, it will come down to winning in the trenches. Until their win over Nebraska, we didn’t see Minnesota against a Power Four opponent truly enforce their will against their opponent. They’ll need to continue that this weekend to beat the Hawkeyes on Saturday. Additionally, they’re going to need the rushing attack to have another strong day. On the flip side, I believe defensively, the key will be to stop Mark Gronowski from beating them with his feet. It’s going to be very important to force him to stay in the pocket and throw the ball instead of finding the opportunity to escape. Of course, it will also be important to keep Xavier Williams and Kamari Moulton on the quieter side as well. In general, it will be the same game plan that most teams have looked to implement this year. Focus on stopping the run and forcing the Iowa offense to beat you through the air.
I keep going back and forth on how I see the game playing out, but I’d give Iowa a slight edge, probably by a weird score. Iowa 17 – Minnesota 16
Tom Kakert (Hawkeye Report):
I think that turnovers are going to be huge in this game. Whoever wins the turnover battle will win the game. I feel like Iowa is owed one at Kinnick after the game two years ago, where Cooper DeJean’s punt return for a score was taken off the scoreboard. Kaden Wetjen gets Iowa a score in a 17-10 Iowa victory.
Big Ten Week 9 picks
Last week, we were 4-3 in our straight-up picks and 3-3-1 against the spread. Here’s our picks for this week.
| Away | Home | Time | Channel | SU PICK | ATS PICK |
| UCLA | No. 2 Indiana (-26.5) | 11:00 a.m. | FOX | Indiana | Indiana |
| Northwestern | Nebraska (-7.5) | 11:00 a.m. | FS1 | Nebraska | Northwestern |
| Rutgers | Purdue (+1.5) | 11:00 a.m. | BTN | Rutgers | Rutgers |
| No. 23 Illinois | Washington (-3.5) | 2:30 p.m. | BTN | Washington | Washington |
| Wisconsin | No. 6 Oregon (-31.5) | 6:00 p.m. | FS1 | Oregon | Oregon |
| No. 25 Michigan | Michigan State (+14) | 6:30 p.m. | NBC | Michigan | Michigan |
Reading Content
GOPHERS NATION WAR ROOM: October 24 — Recruiting and projected depth chart vs Iowa
Spin Cycle: P.J. Fleck and the Coaching Carousel
Top in-state target returning to Minnesota for second-straight week (On3+)
By the Numbers: Minnesota vs Nebraska
Updated Minnesota football bowl projections entering week eight
Minnesota Football Behind Enemy Lines: Nebraska Cornhuskers(On3+)
Projecting Minnesota football’s offensive depth chart against Nebraska (On3+)
Gophers aim for faster starts in the second half of the season
What did Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule say about Minnesota during his weekly press conference?
2027 OL Gus Corsair is high on Minnesota following latest visit (On3+)
INTEL: Minnesota men’s basketball’s early 2027 recruiting efforts (On3+)
2028 Iowa OL Declan Heying receives offers from Gophers on gameday visit (On3+)
Minnesota Football: 10 Cornhuskers to know ahead of Friday
Minnesota Football: First look at the Nebraska Cornhuskers
‘A Selfless Player’: P.J. Fleck applauds Gophers’ cornerback Jai’Onte McMillan (On3+)
Everything that Minnesota football head coach P.J. Fleck said on Monday — Nebraska week
Official Minnesota – Nebraska Game Notes
Follow along with Gophers Nation
Gophers Nation will have live updates on the Gophers’ week nine clash with the Hawkeyes throughout pregame, through P.J. Fleck and the players’ postgame press conference. Gophers Nation subscribers can chat with the staff and Gophers fans on the Inside Gophers Nation forum.
Stay Tuned
Stay tuned to Gophers Nation as we bring the latest updates on the Golden Gophers’ upcoming matchup against Iowa.
Join Gophers Nation for ELITE Minnesota coverage!
GophersNation.com provides everything that passionate Minnesota fans expect and want: Wall-to-wall coverage of Gophers athletics and recruiting.
Join the Gophers Nation community and receive all the benefits that come with it:
- Elite team and recruiting coverage of the program you love.
- Interact with other passionate Gophers fans on our Inside Gophers Nation board
- Exclusive access to the Gophers Nation staff, who are always ready to answer your questions.
- Access to the premier network in college athletics (On3 + Rivals)
- Plus much more!
SIGN UP: Join GophersNation’s Minnesota community today for $1.
