Minnesota Gophers predictions: Game 4 vs. Iowa

There’s always a little extra on the line when Minnesota hosts rival Iowa: Floyd of Rosedale.

This year, the winner will get to .500 while the loser will fall to 1-3. Hardly ideal in an eight-game season. Forget about winning the Big Ten West (which is likely already out the window), now we’re talking about trying to just make a bowl game (yes, those are apparently still going to happen in this crazy, pandemic-filled 2020).

Both the Gophers and Hawkeyes are coming off their first victory of the season and hope to have some momentum going.

One team will be right.

In the past, playing at home would have given Minnesota the edge. But Vegas has them a 3 1/2-point underdog. But we’re concerned just about the winner, and who that will be is up to debate – there’s no unanimity among prognosticators who will emerge victorious.

The general consensus, though, says that Minnesota won’t need to clear out any room in its trophy case.

Here’s this week’s predictions from around the web:

Pete Fiutak of Collegefootballnews.com: Minnesota 27, Iowa 20. “Minnesota’s offense has been fine throughout the season, but it needs the defense to stiffen against a decent offense. It’ll happen this week. The Gopher run D had a slew of issues against Michigan and Maryland, but both teams got big games on the ground out of their quarterbacks. Spencer Petras isn’t going to take off enough to be a problem, and he won’t be sharp enough with the passing attack.”

Chad Lestikow of the Des Moines Register: Iowa 30, Minnesota 23. “Ihmir Smith-Marsette scores a touchdown for the third straight year vs. the Gophers and flirts with 200 all-purpose yards.”

Josh Slagter of mlive.com: Iowa 27, Minnesota 21. “A battle of teams that certainly didn’t expect to be 1-2 through three weeks. The Hawkeyes lost a couple one-possession games before routing Michigan State last week, and should carry some confidence into this game. The Gophers beat Illinois for their first win, but still allowed 5.0 yards per carry on the ground. And for Iowa QB Spencer Petras, that Minnesota defense should be a welcome sight. Mohamed Ibrahim (571 yards, 10 TD) has been great, but the Hawkeyes are only allowing 102 rush yards per game.”

Joe Vozzelli Jr. of the Champaign News-Gazette: Minnesota 23, Iowa 20. “Floyd of Rosedale has been in the Iowa trophy case for five straight seasons. Last season, the Hawkeyes ended Minnesota’s undefeated season, too. The Gophers want revenge in 2020 and with Big Ten leading rusher Mohamed Ibrahim leading the way, they get it.”

J.P. Scott of Athlon Sports: Iowa 27, Minnesota 20.  “Historically, Kirk Ferentz’s teams have started slow and still put together successful campaigns. We’re probably in for an old-school, Big Ten slugfest on Friday night. If that’s the case, I like Ferentz’s odds and his history in those types of games.”

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic ($): Iowa 31, Minnesota 23. “The Gophers’ run defense has been by far the worst in the Big Ten, allowing two full yards per carry more than the next worst in the conference. Iowa, which averages almost five yards a carry, has the backs and the system to exploit that.”

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic ($): Iowa 31, Minnesota 26. “Iowa seemed to find its groove offensively last week against Michigan State, rushing for 226 yards and four TDs. Tyler Goodson and the Hawkeyes could find similar success against a Gophers defense that both Michigan and Maryland shredded on the ground.”

Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon: Minnesota 31, Iowa 27.

The Oklahoman’s Berry Tramel: Iowa 28, Minnesota 21.

Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press: Iowa 31, Minnesota 28.

Joe DiTullo of GameHaus: Minnesota

Mark Hasty of Go Iowa Awesome: Iowa 31, Minnesota 30. “This is gonna be close and I think it’ll be the usual asymmetric rivalry warfare as Minnesota comes out looking for blood and Iowa comes out fighting like hell to stick to the gameplan. But Kirk Ferentz was involved in the Floyd Wars before Fleck was even born. He wants to keep the pig home. And I think he will.”

Bill Connelly of ESPN: His S&P projection has it Iowa 29, Minnesota 26.

Just one of three Athlon Sports writers picks Minnesota to win.

The four analysts at Football Scoop are split.