Wednesday post-practice update

Greetings.

I have a few items to share with you, so here goes:

1. Receiver Brandon Green (knee) missed practice again Wednesday. Coach Tim Brewster said he's day-to-day and "hopes" Green will be able to play in Iowa. I think going without Green would be a pretty big deal. With Eric Decker gone Green is probably the most fluid and most experienced of the young Gophers receivers.

2. Cornerback Traye Simmons (leg) returned to practice Wednesday.

3. Looking over the depth charts of the two teams, here are the two matchups I'll be watching closely Saturday:

--Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn vs. Gophers tackle Dom Alford. I was talking to Gophers offensive line coach Tim Davis today and he said Clayborn is the best defensive lineman the Gophers will face this season. He's fast, quick, strong, experienced. He is stout vs. the run and very, very good on the pass rush. Through 11 games he has 56 total tackles, 8.5 sacks and 16.5 total tackles for loss. He has hit the QB seven other times.

"He's very good on his feet," Davis said. "Very natural, strong."

--Iowa tight end Tony Moeaki vs. Gophers linebackers and safeties. This guy can really hurt a defense over the middle. It will be interesting to see who the Gophers put on Moeaki.

4. Remember how freshman receiver Bryant Allen had hoped to play basketball as well as football at the U? Allen still hopes that will happen. Brewster said Allen would be free to work with Tubby Smith's basketball team in the time between the end of the regular season and the start of pre-bowl practices. Talking to Allen, the plan is for him to attend and watch -- but not participate in -- practices during that time. He doesn't want a potential injury to hurt the football team.

Allen has been in communication with the basketball staff and hopes to do enough to get a little court time with the Gophers after the bowl game.