Gophers vs. (Who hates) Iowa: Four Downs

Posted by Higgy

 

We hate Iowa. And here they come. Those hated Hawkeyes arrive Saturday at our glorious new stadium where they're currently 0-2. The black-and-gold clad fans were so fond of our old home, the HHH Metrodome, they used to call it: "Kinnick North." They'd even tear down our goalposts and commit adultery in the bathroom.

 

Fortunately for us, public restroom patrons and Iowa marriages, life in our new home has been less friendly to our visitors from the South.

 

A year ago, Minnesota entered the Iowa game brimming with optimism. The Hawkeyes already had two losses, and we were 4-0, coming off a stalwart defensive performance against Syracuse. But we fell apart in our huge rivalry game, as Iowa Mark Weisman-ed and flea-flicker-ed its way to victory in Iowa City.

 

The hated Hawkeyes are 0-2 at The Bank.

Once again, we enter the game 4-0 with the Hawkeyes coming in at 3-1. Their only loss? To Jerry Kill's former squad, Northern Illinois. However, both teams appear to be improved over a season ago, setting up an intense rivalry game to kick off the B1G slate. Here are this week's "Four Downs" about our beloved Gophers and their quest to win back Floyd of Rosedale.

 

FIRST DOWN - TACKLE WEISMAN

There were a LOT of reasons Minnesota came up short in Iowa City a year ago. "Red Rocket" Max Shortell overthrew countless open receivers. Minnesota's offense struggled in basically all aspects. We gave up a back-breaking touchdown on the aforementioned flea flicker.

 

But our biggest problem? We couldn't tackle Iowa's relatively new workhorse back, Mark Weisman. The construction worker turned lineman turned fullback turned running back (I'm only guessing) bruised the Gopher defense to the tune of 177 yards and a score on just 21 carries. That's an 8.4 average. And that's not good enough against a team like Iowa that lives to be physical.

 

This time around, Weisman is much less of a surprise. He had a few big games prior to playing Minnesota a year ago, but now they've seen his combination of size, strength and speed. So far this season, he's got 468 yards on 95 carries (4.9 average) with three TDs.

 

Slowing him down will be a two-fold operation. This time, Minnesota HAS to tackle better. Expect to see a lot of Damien Wilson and DeVondre Campbell, who are physical and fundamental enough to handle the task. Everyone needs to wrap up and hang on and remember that low pad wins.

 

The other trick will be getting multiple defenders to the ball. If Hageman and the defensive line can do a good job occupying the linemen, we need more than one linebacker or secondary member getting to the big, bruising back. I'd like to see safeties Brock Vereen and Cedric Thompson stick their noses in against run game more. I'd love to see Weisman get hit in the backfield or at the line to allow other defenders to flow to the play. Let's unleash Derrick Wells. In most instances, our defense will need to work together to slow Iowa's big workhorse down.

 

If they can do that and put Iowa into some more-predictable second- and third-and-long situations, then we can work on getting some sacks, forcing some turnovers and getting off the field on third down. Containing Weisman could be Minnesota's biggest key to victory Saturday.

 

If the read option ain't broke, don't fix it.

SECOND DOWN - STICK WITH WHAT WORKS

Two weeks in a row (and really, all four) we saw Minnesota's ground game wear down an opponent and really take charge of the game in the second half. I don't think Kill and his staff are quick-trigger coaches who abandon or adapt the game plan (other than making smart adjustments), but I think we have to be able to run the ball to win this game, and we'll have to keep our defense fresh to handle Iowa's offense.

 

Continue to rely on Mitch "The Lamplighter" Leidner (as it looks like he'll start) as well as David Cobb, Roderick Williams and hopefully Donnell Kirkwood. The offensive line faces its biggest test and needs to continue to show growth. Plus, Saturday's forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of rain all day, so it could be wet and muddy conditions at The Bank. Yards through the air were already likely to be at a premium in this matchup, and the weather could make this even more of a turf war. Moving the chains on the ground is essential.

 

I certainly don't think we need to throw it 30 or even 20 times to win Saturday. And if we do, it likely means we're playing from behind and that's bad news. However, our passing game needs to be efficient. This is a game where the tight ends need to be involved in the passing game. KJ Maye could certainly use more touches to take advantage of his talents. Give Leidner some easy reads (with the option to tuck and run) and some high-percentage passes. Use play action on first and second down. When guys are open, HIT THEM (cough, cough, Shortell).

 

THIRD DOWN - "SPECIAL" TEAMS

Minnesota needs to win the battle on special teams. That doesn't necessarily mean (another) Marcus Jones return TD or (another) Ra'Shede Hageman blocked kick. But it does mean doing the little things right with a big play or two splashed in. Special teams need to be special.

 

First - no missed extra points. This figures to be a close, relatively low-scoring game, so the two missed PATs from a week ago (one blocked, one missed) can't happen for kicker Chris Hawthorne. Getting points when we cross the 30 will be important too, so a Hawthorne FG or two from beyond 35 would be great if we can't get into the end zone. Peter Mortell has done a good job punting thus far, and he'll need to continue that progress in a game where field position will be paramount. And if Jones can get us some decent field position in the return game, that would be another huge plus.

We're ready to hunt Hawkeyes.

FOURTH DOWN - HATE IOWA

Let me say this again. Soak it up. Drink it in ... Iowa is 0-2 at TCF Bank Stadium. That trend needs to continue.

 

So it might be a little rainy Saturday? Who cares. It's homecoming. This is football weather. This is the Big Ten. This is a true rivalry. This is Minnesota-Iowa with a bronze pig on the line. Get to the game. Be loud. Tailgate. Grill and consume pork products as an homage to Floyd. Remind Iowa fans that they're in an actual city.

 

If anyone visiting campus, or TCF Bank Stadium, or watching on ABC wonders to themselves, "Who hates Iowa?" we should be prepared to answer, loudly and emphatically, all afternoon long. Though we typically define our crew with class, this rivalry tends to lower our social standards. And we love it.

 

Who hates Iowa?

 

We hate Iowa.

 

Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go home and put some water in Mark Weisman's mama's dish. See you at the Bank.

WILD CARD!
One final note ... the national media is starting to take notice of the good things going on at The Bank. SI.com's Stewart Mandel - aka one of the few national college football writers I actually enjoy reading - has declared Minnesota is his B1G "Wild Card." That's awesome, and there's only one way to celebrate...