SID's JOTTINGS

• With so much at stake and Iowa having a history of the best fan following in the Big Ten, it's hard to understand how Saturday's game at TCF Bank Stadium didn't come close to selling out; the announced attendance was 49,860. Next weekend's game is against No. 13 Ohio State, and it will be interesting to see how many Gophers fans turn out.

• Former Twins World Series hero Jack Morris said he would entertain the idea of being Twins pitching coach if asked. "It's obviously up to Paul [Molitor] and Terry [Ryan] to make that determination," Morris said. "There's a lot of other elements involved, but I certainly believe I could do the job. I know what Paul is about. I've known him my whole life, and I buy into what he's trying to do. I think there could be a fit."

• Taylor Grant, the son of Eden Prairie football coach Mike and grandson of former Vikings coach Bud, is a tight end for undefeated Minnesota Duluth. Taylor Grant, a senior, has 13 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown.

• Linebacker Jasper Brinkley left the Vikings to join Arizona last year, was released and re-signed with the Vikings this season. Asked if he is playing better during his second stint with the Vikings, he said: "Absolutely, this defense that coach [Mike] Zimmer brought to Minnesota is a perfect defense for me. It doesn't require me to run down the middle of the field anymore. I'm able to stay down in the box and get in on certain plays that are close to the line of scrimmage"

• Former Timberwolves player and executive Fred Hoiberg's Iowa State men's basketball team is ranked 14th in the Associated Press preseason poll, and the Cyclones handled the Gophers without many problems in a preseason scrimmage in Ames last weekend.