INSIDE SLANT

Revenge is the lifeblood of college football’s best rivalries.

It’s a far more significant concept, however, when there’s parody between a pair of programs.

Minnesota won’t find itself in that situation Saturday at Iowa, no matter how badly it wants to avenge last year’s 55-0 whipping, the team’s final matchup in the Metrodome.

The Gophers rushed for seven yards that night.

Beyond some of the lopsided stats, however, is what the loss symbolized. The Gophers still have a very large pond to cross before they can sail with the true Big Ten contenders.

The problem this season is that they’re going to face a Hawkeyes team that was one extra period away from winning the Big Ten title last weekend against Ohio State.

Think these Hawkeyes won’t have a lot of emotion against the Gophers? After all they’ve been through this year?

The Gophers (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten) are expected to get into another low-level bowl, even if they lose to Iowa again.

But there’s little proof that they’ve truly made great strides from last season.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Minnesota’s defense is helping to carry the scoring load this season. The Gophers returned their fourth fumble for a touchdown this season in the second quarter of a 16-13 victory over South Dakota State.

• QB Adam Weber has already put a lot pressure on himself for Minnesota’s inconsistent offense. And unfortunately for him, the Gophers are facing the Big Ten’s top pass defense. Weber threw for 127 yards a year ago against the Hawkeyes. But he’s also responsible for two picks, one that was returned for a touchdown.

• No one’s quite sure what Saturday’s matchup means for Tim Brewster. He’s going to end up in his second consecutive low-level bowl. And while the Gophers beat Purdue, Northwestern and Michigan State, they lost winnable contests against Wisconsin and Illinois. Athletic director Joel Maturi has suggested that Brewster’s done enough to return next season. But what will happen if there’s another big-time blowout against the Hawkeyes?

Series History:   Minnesota leads 39-33-2 (last meeting, 2008, 55-0 Iowa).

Scouting The Offense:   The Gophers are an unpredictable bunch. The same unit that had 505 total yards against Michigan State finished with 231 against FCS South Dakota State Saturday. Consistency at all of the skill positions would help, although RB Kevin Whaley has top-notch speed, if he can get the proper blocking. Will one of the team’s young receivers—Troy Stoudermire, Da’Jon McKnight and Brandon Green—make a jump in the regular-season finale?

Scouting The Defense:   Saturday’s game will be a defensive chess match. Iowa’s thrived on its defense, while Minnesota’s defense has been the key to the majority of its victories this season. The team’s linebackers will be key to stopping a mediocre rushing attack. But Iowa’s passing game kept it alive against Ohio State last weekend, so Minnesota’s secondary will have to play its best coverage in the final game of the year.

Quote To Note:   “Again, obviously I was brought here for a reason. Really excited about the opportunity to get to the University of Minnesota, and I’m really excited about the progress that we’ve made as a program. Obviously we didn’t win as many games as we would have liked to in the first year. Lost a bunch of—six games by 23 points. In our second year, we won seven games and went to a Bowl game. In our third year, two out of our first three years we’re going to Bowl games. Our guys are making progress on and off the field. Really pleased about the recruiting process. The recruiting has gone really well. We’re gonna have another great class this year.”—Tim Brewster on his success with the program.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Minnesota (6-5, 3-4 Big Ten) vs. Iowa (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) Nov. 21—Iowa proved last week it will remain tough without QB Ricky Stanzi. The Hawkeyes’ defense has carried a big load this season. The Gophers have to find a way to score against that disciplined unit.

Keys To The Game:   The Gophers have to find a way to establish a rushing game. They’re playing the top pass defense in the Big Ten, so they can’t just rely on QB Adam Weber all night. If it takes multiple running backs to get it done, the Gophers have to get it done on the ground. Iowa’s passing game is underrated with the loss of QB Ricky Stanzi. WR Marvin McNutt is a primetime receiver. Minnesota has to make big plays on defense.

Players To Watch:  

QB Adam Weber—He has to avenge last season’s two-pick performance against the Hawkeyes.

WR Da’Jon McKnight—The Gophers could use a career game from him at Iowa.

DB Marcus Sherels—Minnesota will need big plays in its secondary. Sherels will have to make them.

Roster Report:  

• The big question going into Saturday’s game is how safe is Brewster’s job? He’s definitely improved after his 1-11 debut season. But will there be enough talent coming in to boost Minnesota another level?