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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Opposing Viewpoint - Iowa
11/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week during the football season, GopherSports.com will bring you the opposing viewpoint by talking to a member of the media who covers Minnesota's opponent for that week. This week, we're joined by Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
GopherSports.com: What's the mindset of the Iowa team this week, coming into the game off some tough losses?Scott Dochterman: Not much changes around Kinnick Stadium whether the team wins or loses. Iowa's players usually so focused at the task at hand it's hard to tell from the players' demeanor if they won or lost the previous week. Iowa's rhetoric this week revolves around closing out the season strong, earning an eighth victory and winning a trophy game.
GopherSports.com: How have injuries affected Iowa?Scott Dochterman: Injuries have stripped Iowa of its depth at linebacker. The Hawkeyes have lost its top two middle linebackers and top outside linebacker and has started a true freshman and a red-shirt freshman at those spots this year. Iowa's top two running backs - Adam Robinson and Jewel Hampton - have missed games with various injuries. Hampton has missed the entire Big Ten season with a second season-ending knee injury.
GopherSports.com: What is the strength of the Hawkeyes at this point in the season?
Scott Dochterman: Iowa's strength continues to lie with its defensive line, which has three senior starters in Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Minnesota native Karl Klug. All three will earn shots at the NFL. The Hawkeyes rank 14th nationally in total defense and sixth against the run.
GopherSports.com: What/who has Iowa's attention this week, in regard to the Gophers?
Scott Dochterman: I think Iowa will focus heavily on two players: QB Adam Weber and kick returner Troy Stoudermire. Weber is a veteran quarterback with a decorated career. He has struggled against Iowa's defense in the past, but he engineered an upset against Illinois two weeks ago. That shows he hasn't quit and his team still believes in him. Iowa's players said you can sense Weber's leadership by the way he's led the team in difficult times. Stoudermire gouged Iowa in the return game two years ago in Minneapolis, averaging more than 31 yards on his nine kickoff returns, something Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz continues to bring up despite Iowa's 55-0 win that day. Iowa ranks 86th nationally in kickoff returns so Stoudermire is a clear threat for Iowa.
GopherSports.com: What's Iowa playing for in this game? They can't win the Big Ten title and it looks like their bowl destination may already be decided.Scott Dochterman: Iowa already lost one trophy this year (31-30 vs. Wisconsin), and Floyd receives special attention this week. He moved from his pen in the Hayden Fry Complex on Tuesday to the meeting rooms. It's a visible symbol for Iowa players during Minnesota week. Iowa rarely wavers from its one-game-at-a-time mantra, so it's hard to picture the players and coaches straying from Minnesota preparation to consider which bowl location they'll spend the holidays even with little on the line.
GopherSports.com: What's one matchup (position or individual) to watch for in this game?Scott Dochterman: Minnesota QB Adam Weber vs. Iowa's secondary. Weber ranks second all-time in Big Ten offensive total yards and has thrown for 20 touchdowns this year. Iowa is tied for first in Big Ten interceptions with 17, and three of its defensive backs have at least three interceptions this year.
GopherSports.com: Minnesota is a heavy underdog, much like they were vs. Illinois. What will it take for the Gophers to pull off the upset?Scott Dochterman: The keys for Minnesota are simple, but the method of victory is challenging. The Gophers must sustain drives, avoid turnovers and execute in the passing game on offense. The Gophers can't expect to slug it out against Iowa's defensive line, but short passes in front of Iowa's zone defense could lead to longer drives. Minnesota's defense must force Iowa into third-and-long opportunities and not let WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos beat the Gophers deep.
Perhaps most of all, Minnesota needs to score early and frustrate Iowa's offense in the first half. Iowa has outscored its opponents 252-98 in the first three quarters but only 73-72 in the fourth quarter. If it's close in the fourth quarter, the Gophers have a chance to win Floyd back for the first time since 2006.
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