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Two members of the Big Ten West Division meet on Saturday afternoon when the Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3, 1-5 ATS, 1-2 Big Ten) travel to take on the #24 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-1, 4-2-1 ATS, 3-1 Big Ten). Minnesota had a much needed bye week after losing 52-10 at home against Michigan as 18.5-point underdogs. Iowa just took down Wisconsin on the road 15-6, winning outright as 8.5 point dogs. These teams met last season with Iowa winning 13-10 on the road. The Hawkeyes are currently listed as 3.5-point favorites. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 from Kinnick Stadium and can be found on NBC.
Minnesota is coming off a bye week and had extra practice time after their 52-10 loss to Michigan. The Wolverines have been dominant this season, but Minnesota hoped to keep the game closer than 42 points, especially considering the spread was only 18.5. Minnesota only managed 52 passing yards the entire game, and 35 of them came all on one play with a long touchdown pass to receiver Daniel Jackson. Minnesota's performance this year is not as bad as it looks on paper, they played one of the best teams in the nation in Michigan, and a future NFL quarterback in Drake Maye from UNC. Take those games out and Minnesota is 3-1 with a conference win over Nebraska.
The Gophers rely on their ground game for production. Minnesota ranks 5th out of 14 teams in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game with 180.5 on the ground. They are led by true freshman Darius Taylor, he has 532 yards on the season, which is even more impressive when you notice he only played in three games (he had one carry against Nebraska). In the three games where Taylor was healthy he averaged 176.3 yards per game. Taylor is listed as questionable with a leg injury. The Gophers' quarterback is Athan Kaliakmanis, he is only averaging 132.8 passing yards per game with a completion rate of 55.9% and a 6-6 TD-INT ratio. He has yet to top 200 passing yards in any game this season. Daniel Jackson is the top receiver and red zone threat, he averages 47.6 yards per game and has grabbed five touchdowns.
Minnesota ranks 10th in scoring in the Big Ten with 21.7 points per game, and their defense is allowing 26.7 per game, which also ranks 10th. Linebacker Maverick Baranowski leads the team in tackles with 42. The defense has generated 11 sacks over six games, led by defensive end Danny Stiggow with three. The Gophers have ten takeaways on the season, defensive back Tyler Nubin has three of the team 's eight interceptions.
Injury Report:
Questionable: RB Darius Taylor (532 yards, 4 TDs), WR Le'Meke Brockington (5 catches, 73 yards)
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