Big games in the Big Ten have a way of stripping everything down to the essentials. This one in Minneapolis feels like that kind of test for Iowa, with the Hawkeyes trying to slow Minnesota, lean on their own strengths, and keep the Floyd of Rosedale.
For Iowa, the path is the familiar one: run the ball, put pressure on the quarterback, and turn mistakes into momentum. That’s where a few Hawkeyes look positioned to make their mark.
The first name to watch is Joseph Anderson. If Iowa can contain Minnesota on the ground, the defense can let Anderson do what he does best and attack the pocket.
Drake Lindsey is a capable passer with the kind of frame that stands out at 6-foot-5, but he is not much of a threat as a runner. That gives Anderson room to turn loose and hunt the quarterback without having to worry as much about lanes or scrambling damage.
Xavier Williams is another player who could be waiting for the right moment to break out again. His production has quieted down lately, but the numbers still show a runner who can finish.
Through the season, he has 20 carries for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He also has recent history on his side.
Coming out of the bye last year, Williams delivered against Wisconsin with 55 yards and two scores. Iowa is again coming off a bye for a Big Ten rivalry game, and Williams looks like a good candidate to make a few timely plays.
On the back end, Deshaun Lee faces the toughest assignment of the three. Minnesota has a dangerous receiver pairing in Javon Tracy and Noah Jennings, so Lee may need to be sharp if the Gophers are forced to throw more often.
Still, Iowa’s front seven should make it hard for Minnesota to lean on the run, which could swing the game toward the pass. And if that happens, Lee’s best performance might be the kind you barely notice - because Drake Lindsey keeps steering away from him.
In Other News...
P.J. Fleck Just Raised The Stakes For Kirk Ferentz And Iowa
The build-up to Iowas meeting with Minnesota already carried plenty of weight, and P.J. Fleck added another layer by putting Kirk Ferentz in rare company. Fleck called Ferentz one of the greatest football coaches and pointed to the steadiness and adaptability that have defined nearly three decades in Iowa City, a nod that fits the stakes of a rivalry game that usually reveals plenty about where both teams stand.
Ferentz, meanwhile, is preparing for the kind of opponent he knows well: veteran, physical and thoroughly coached. With both teams coming in off recent performances that have shaped their early-season records, the conversation around this one is less about hype than about proof, and Iowa now has a chance to answer a compliment with a result when the rivalry lands on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Gets A Needed LJ Phillips Jr. Update Before Minnesota
Iowa got a useful bit of injury news heading into its rivalry game against Minnesota, with running back L.J. Phillips Jr. expected to be available after re-aggravating a previous ankle issue. Phillips has been limited by injuries this season, but when he has been on the field, he has shown the kind of play that can give the Hawkeyes a needed spark in the backfield.
The timing matters because Iowa is coming out of the bye week with a chance to reset and, ideally, bring back its full skill-position group in a healthier state. For a team that has had to manage personnel concerns through stretches of the season, getting Phillips back in the mix gives the offense another reason to feel better about where it stands entering a game that always carries extra weight. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa's Secondary Could Get A Needed Boost Before Minnesota
Zach Lutmers status is one of the quieter but more important developments as Iowa gets ready for Minnesota. The safety was hurt against Washington, but after the bye week he said he was feeling significantly better, which matters for a defense already operating without another starting safety in Tyler Brown. For an Iowa unit that leans so heavily on sound coverage and tackling, getting even a little healthier in the back end can change how the whole defense functions.
The timing is especially relevant with Minnesota next on the schedule, because the Hawkeyes are built to make teams work for every yard and to force opponents into a style they prefer. Stopping the run remains the first priority, but Iowa also needs its secondary to hold up if the game becomes about limiting space and winning late downs. Lutmers progress gives the Hawkeyes at least a reason to think the back end could be closer to full strength when it matters most. [Read more 🡒]