The Hawkeyes are 20-5 in their last 25 rivalry trophy games (Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin).
Iowa leads the country in interceptions (19) and ranks third nationally in takeaways (24). The Hawkeyes have 83 interception since 2017, more than any team in the country. Ten different Hawkeyes have at least one interception this season. Iowa is plus-18 in turnover margin in its seven wins and minus-six in its two losses
Saturday will be the 115th meeting between Iowa and Minnesota. The Hawkeyes have won six straight, and 16 of the last 20. Iowa has won nine straight at home against the Gophers. Minnesota’s last win at Kinnick Stadium was Nov. 20, 1999 (25-21).
Minnesota holds a 62-50-2 advantage in a series
How important will Time of Possession be on Saturday on Duke Slater Field?
Iowa ranks fifth in conference games at 30:33, remaining 9 teams are on the negative side, with Illinois sixth at 29:47
Hawks two losses came to #1 Wisconsin (35:48) and #4 Purdue (32:36)
Minnesota is #2 at 35:07, ahead of #3 Michigan (33:52)
Gophers coach PJ Fleck talked about limited possessions after the Illinois loss during Monday's PC
It will be important to get off to a fast start, which was a missing aspect of Iowa's games vs. Purdue and Wisconsin.
OC Brian Ferentz needs to give his offense a better shot week to week
Stay ahead of the chains (2nd & 6, 3rd and manageable)
For the games against Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin, it didn't seem the offensive strategy was to get off to a quick start
Iowa has not trailed in a game against the Gophers since the fourth quarter in 2016, a span of 245 minutes and 28 seconds
In 2019, like 2020 Northwestern, Iowa got off to a great 3 possession start in Kinnick
Minnesota is fifth in scoring, averaging 27 points per game. Iowa is 7th at 23.2 in offensive scoring
In offensive yardage, Minnesota is #6 at 380 yards per game, while Iowa is #12 at 304 yards per game
On the defensive side, Iowa is #3 in B1G games allowing 17.2 points per game, and #3 in total defense at 314.7
Minnesota is #8 allowing 20.8 points per game, but #6 allowing 349 yards per game
