KEYS TO THE GAME IN REVIEW: IOWA HAWKEYES AT MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

In a shocking turn of events, it appears that I have absolutely no idea what I am talking about. I really could not have been more incorrect in my Keys to the Game from Friday morning. If you read those, you’d know that I basically thought Iowa doesn’t even have a defense and that Mitch Leidner is Tom Brady. It turns out that Iowa figured out how to tackle, Leidner is more like Christian Ponder than Tom Brady, and I am a moron. Surprise, surprise.

Can the Hawkeyes stop...everybody?

One of these Saturdays, I would like to go to bed knowing that the Iowa defense actually appeared capable of tackling somebody.

I said that on Friday, and to my amazement (and probably yours, too), the Hawkeyes seemed to, for one game at least, fixed some of their issues. The defense that was giving up an average of 182 rushing yards per game held Minnesota to only 102, which is less than half of the 228 rushing yards the Gophers were averaging previously. Minnesota’s 268 total yards was the lowest total allowed by Iowa all season. Even Iowa State managed to gain 291 yards on the Hawkeyes.

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

On Saturday night, I climbed into bed with at least a little confidence in the Iowa defense. I slept great.

Who hates Iowa? Not me.

On Friday, I made the following statement that was pretty bold, and apparently, pretty stupid:

Mitch Leidner is the scariest quarterback in the B1G not named JT Barrett.

Yeah...that was really dumb. I don’t even know what I’m talking about.

I finally understand why Minnesota fans have been frustrated with their starting quarterback for the last three seasons. Leidner was underwhelming in his third matchup with the Hawkeyes, only completing 13 of 33 passes (39.3%) for 166 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. He was neither effective through the air nor on the ground, rushing seven times for a total of one (yes, 1) yard. Both of his interceptions came at critical times in the game, with one at the end of the first half with the Gophers driving into Hawkeye territory and the other with 2:30 to play in the fourth quarter. All Minnesota needed to do to win this game was protect the football and turn in a similar rushing performance to their first five games of the season. Leidner’s inability to threaten the Hawkeyes with his arm and his legs caused the entire Gopher offense to sputter.

The Prediction

Iowa is going to lose. I’m really happy they didn’t.

Iowa can’t stop the run (87th nationally). I’m really happy they did.

Iowa can’t run the ball (95th). They kind of did on Saturday.

Iowa can’t pass the ball (96th). Yeah...this is still true.

Iowa can’t get all 11 men on the field for punt coverage. I’m really tired of talking about how wrong I was about everything.

Iowa can’t beat Minnesota. Yes we can! Yes we can!

Prediction: Minnesota 45, Iowa 34

Final score: Iowa 14, Minnesota 7