The Call: Gophers vs. Iowa

THE OPPONENT

The Hawkeyes, with an offense that starts only three seniors, have ridden a surprisingly strong passing game and the rushing of Marcus Coker.

GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. IOWA DEFENSE

The Hawkeyes' secondary has been torched for 245 yards per game, 11th in the Big Ten, though the root of the problem is one the Gophers are familiar with: Iowa doesn't pressure the quarterback much, with just 12 sacks. Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray should have time to find receivers, and room to run if he can't. Advantage: Minnesota

GOPHERS DEFENSE VS. IOWA OFFENSE

Iowa's receiving tandem of senior Marvin McNutt (108 yards per game) and junior Keenan Davis (66) may be the Big Ten's best, and James Vandenberg has exceeded all expectations at quarterback. With the Gophers secondary missing cornerback Troy Stoudermire, that puts a lot of pressure on Brock Vereen and Kyle Henderson. Sophomore tailback Marcus Coker has eclipsed 100 yards three of the past four weeks. Advantage: Iowa

SPECIAL TEAMS

INTANGIBLES

TCF Bank Stadium figures to be full of black-and-yellow colors, though perhaps not to the extent that Nebraskans traveled last week. Iowa will also have the memory of its season-finale humiliation here last year. Advantage: Iowa

PREDICTION

The Gophers did show signs of improvement last week, despite their usual mistake-ridden start, and their confidence is strangely high. But Iowa should eventually deflate any upset hopes with its passing game and reclaim Floyd of Rosedale. Hawkeyes31, Gophers20

103-3 The Gophers' cumulative halftime deficit in Big Ten games this season.