3 Bold Predictions for Big Ten Matchup Between Minnesota and Iowa
By Michael Luciano
No one, and I repeat NO ONE, saw PJ Fleck and Minnesota racing out to a 9-0 start and making a legitimate case for a College Football Playoff spot, but here we are. On the back of some ultra-efficient passing from Tanner Morgan and an aggressive defense that will take chances and cause turnovers, the Golden Gophers are sitting pretty in the Big Ten West.
They could lose that perfect record, however, when they travel to Iowa City and take on Kirk Ferentz's famously scrappy Iowa side.
3. Nate Stanley Throws For 3 Touchdowns
People are going to hold the Michigan nightmare against Stanley (and deservedly so, he was dreadful), but the 240-pound signal caller showed that he can perform well under the bright lights, throwing two touchdowns in what would have been an amazing upset over Wisconsin. Antoine Winfield Jr. was phenomenal, but Sean Clifford was able to rip off some chunk plays last week, and Stanley should be able to do the same in this game.
2. Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman Go Over 100 Yards Receiving
Both of these receivers will be playing on Sundays in the near future, with Johnson having a legitimate chance at sneaking into the first round of this year's draft. Iowa has become a factory for defensive backs this year, but the only receiving corps that the Hawkeyes have faced this year in the same tier as Minnesota is Michigan, and they were up and down the entire 60 minutes. These two tall, physical, speedy targets are a chore to blanket for an entire game, and Morgan could connect with them early and often in this game.
1. Minnesota Wins By 2 Touchdowns
The Gophers, long a team that would run the ball up the middle (unsuccessfully) and complete around four of their 11 passes per game, have evolved into an aerial circus under Fleck. With Morgan firing BBs from the pocket and two All-Conference receivers on the outside, the Rodney Smith/Mohamed Ibrahim running game can get lost in the shuffle. If all these players come ready to play, Minnesota should move to 10-0 and all but lock up the Big Ten West title.