No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday in a game that will decide this year’s Floyd of Rosedale trophy. Both teams are coming off bye weeks, and the biggest question entering the Iowa vs Minnesota Floyd of Rosedale matchup is whether Minnesota’s homecoming crowd can help the Gophers snap a losing streak against the Hawkeyes that stretches back more than a decade at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Iowa enters at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Minnesota is 4-2 overall and also 2-1 in conference play. The Gophers beat two ranked opponents this season, Washington and Michigan, but both teams have since dropped out of the rankings, leaving Iowa as the lone ranked team on Minnesota’s schedule in recent weeks.
Iowa Vs Minnesota Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- TV: FS1
- Trophy: Floyd of Rosedale
What Does Iowa’s Win Over Washington Say About This Team?
Iowa’s most recent outing, a win over Washington, stood as the Hawkeyes’ best performance against a power conference opponent this season, according to Yahoo Sports. Iowa topped 300 total yards and scored more than 21 points against a power four team for the first time all year in that game. That victory followed the team’s win over Washington detailed in Total Apex Sports’ recap of Iowa’s 41-24 win, which featured Kamari Moulton rushing for 208 yards.
Against power four competition this season, Iowa is averaging 318 yards and 22.75 points per game, numbers that trail the team’s full-season marks of 403.2 total yards and 31 points per game listed in ESPN’s official statistics. The gap reflects a Sept. 3 loss to Ohio State, covered in Total Apex Sports’ Ohio State-Iowa recap, as the lone blemish on an otherwise productive power conference slate.
Can Minnesota’s Rushing Attack Handle Iowa’s Run Defense?
Iowa’s rush defense ranks seventh nationally, allowing just 84.7 yards per game on the ground, according to Yahoo Sports. The Hawkeyes held Washington to negative 3 rushing yards in their last outing. Minnesota’s rushing offense sits at 129th nationally at 104.8 yards per game, per ESPN’s official season totals, with TJ Thomas leading the Gophers at 317 yards on 51 carries.
That imbalance puts pressure on Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey, who has completed 64.8% of his passes this season for 1,335 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Lindsey’s top target is Javon Tracy, who has 32 catches for 375 yards and a touchdown. Tracy is the younger brother of former Iowa and Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy, according to Yahoo Sports.
Who Leads Minnesota’s Defense Against Iowa’s Offense?
Minnesota’s defense is anchored by linebacker Maverick Baranowski, who leads the team with 45 tackles, and TJ Bush Jr., who has four sacks on the season, per Yahoo Sports. Iowa’s offense will be tested against a Minnesota unit that has already knocked off two Big Ten opponents this season despite its current unranked status.
On the other side, Iowa’s defense allows 14.5 points per game and has produced 19 sacks this season, both marks that have helped keep the Hawkeyes competitive in every power conference game but one.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Iowa 31.0, Minnesota 28.8
- Total yards per game: Iowa 403.2, Minnesota 341.3
- Passing yards per game: Iowa 209.2, Minnesota 236.5
- Rushing yards per game: Iowa 194.0, Minnesota 104.8
- Yards per rush attempt: Iowa 6.1, Minnesota 3.7
- Third-down conversion rate: Iowa 39.44%, Minnesota 37.35%
- Sacks recorded (defense): Iowa 19, Minnesota 14
- Turnover differential: Iowa plus-2, Minnesota plus-3
- Interceptions thrown: Iowa 2, Minnesota 5
What History Says About This Rivalry
Iowa has won 10 of the last 11 meetings in this series, including eight straight from 2015 to 2022. Minnesota’s only win in that recent stretch came in 2023, a 12-10 decision that remains head coach P.J. Fleck’s lone victory over Kirk Ferentz, according to Yahoo Sports. Iowa has answered with blowout wins since, beating Minnesota 31-14 in Minneapolis in 2024 and 41-3 in Iowa City last season.
The Hawkeyes have won five straight games at Huntington Bank Stadium, and Minnesota has not beaten Iowa on its home field in more than a decade.
What To Watch
Saturday’s game doubles as Minnesota’s homecoming, giving the Gophers an extra incentive to end their home skid against Iowa. For the Hawkeyes, a win would keep their 2-1 Big Ten mark on pace and extend their recent dominance in a series that has tilted heavily in their favor. Both teams are 2-1 in conference play, meaning the result carries early weight in the Big Ten standings alongside the Floyd of Rosedale trophy on the line.
Iowa’s next game and Minnesota’s next matchup will be set by the conference schedule following this result.
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