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OPENING THOUGHTS
What a difference a week makes. The Penn State loss was not the end of the world. It didn’t mean Mitch is a bad QB, that Claeys deserved to be fired, that we suddenly suck really bad, or any of the other hyperbolic things I’ve read this week across the internets.
The frustrating nature of the loss does take a bit of the starch out of my beligerance heading into the HATE FEST against Iowa. I’m not proud of it, but when you’re working too much and your favorite team took a gut punch it’ll happen. That said, I want to take you in the wayback machine to 2014.
Remember those halcyon days? The post Purdue win dreams of being 8-1 when Ohio State came to town and possibly hosting Gameday? Do you remember how people reacted when the flu infested Gophers lost at Illinois? How we were suddenly going to lose to Iowa? What happened then friends?
51 STRAIGHT happened.
This happened.
Am I promising that Minnesota will physically dominate Iowa like this again? No I am not. But I’m trying to remind you that gut punch losses in winnable games don’t automatically spell doom. Cheer yourselves and get the HATE ready for tomorrow.
GNOME #TAKES
The gnomes would like to apologize for the lack of snark this week. In addition to working too hard in the underpants stealing industry, they just put their underground lair on the market and they’ve been dealing with all the tasks that this process (plus moving) entails. They beg your apologies.
On to the message, which is simple:
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WHEN/WHERE
Date: Saturday, October 8th
Kickoff Time: 11am CT
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN2
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or the WatchESPN app for your mobile device)
Radio: KFAN (100.3 in the Twin Cities) and the Gopher Radio Network (Radio Affiliates).
Streaming Audio: Locate KFAN on IHeartRadio (or the IHeartRadio app for your mobile device)
Satellite Radio: SiriusXM 196; Sirius 113; XM 196
ODDS
Spread: Minnesota by 1 to 1.5
O/U: 50
Bill C:
| Spread (Home) | S&P+ Projection | Margin | Win Prob. | S&P+ Pick (ATS) | F/+ Projection | F/+ Pick (ATS) |
| -16.5 | Minnesota (32.8-31.6) | 1.2 | 52.8% | Minnesota | Iowa by 2.1 | Iowa |
Not a shock, but losing to Penn State moved this into tossup territory.
WEATHER FORECAST
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Mostly sunny but a little chilly. Good October football weather in other words.
THE ENEMY
Where Are They From? Stinky Smelly Town Iowa
All Time Series: HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE
Last Game: Minnesota failed to upend Iowa’s #specialseason in Kinnick.
SB Nation Blog: Black Heart Gold Pants
This Season: 3-2
Head Coach: Mr. Buyout himself, Kirk Ferentz
KEYS TO THE GAME
- Limit big plays. Minnesota lost last week because they gave up big plays and couldn’t get stops.
- Pressure the QB. A big reason for the first key was a complete lack of pass rush. That needs to change immediately.
- Run all over the damn Hawkeyes. You can do this offensive line. Not worried about you exceptional stable of running backs.
HOW AFRAID AM I?
On a scale of 1 to 5 "Brewsters on his face" (1 being not a afraid, 5 being very afraid)?
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Two Brewsters crowd surfing on his face. Iowa is trash. Sure, Minnesota is flawed, but trash Iowa lost to both NDSU and Northwestern. No.
COMPLETELY WORTHLESS PREDICTION
It’ll be closer than we like. Some Gopher fans will melt down, but then Floyd will be freed.
Minnesota 27 - Iowa 21