Minnesota @ Iowa preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2011 ) Iowa 21, Minnesota 22

Minnesota will try to retain the Floyd of Rosedale trophy for the third straight season - and start 5-0 for the first time since 2004 - when it travels to Iowa on Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Gophers haven't defeated the Hawkeyes three times in a row since 1998-2000, which also marked their last road victory in the series (25-21 in 1999). Three of Iowa's first four games have been decided by three points or less, including a 32-31 loss to Central Michigan last week. Minnesota and Iowa are ranked 21st and 25th, respectively, in total defense. Hawkeyes junior linebacker Anthony Hitchens leads the country with 51 tackles while the Gophers have seven interceptions, tied for tops in the nation.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Iowa -6.5

ABOUT MINNESOTA (4-0, 0-0 Big Ten): The Gophers' early-season success can be traced to an offense that has scored 119 points. Minnesota didn't reach that total until its seventh game last season. Sophomore quarterback Max Shortell started his first game in the Gophers' 17-10 victory over Syracuse last week and was 16-of-30 for 231 yards - all career highs. Shortell stepped in for senior MarQueis Gray, who is likely to miss his second straight game with an injured left ankle. A.J. Barker is averaging 20.2 yards on his 14 receptions with four touchdowns - all team highs. The Gophers won the last two meetings 22-21 and 27-24. Minnesota won three games in 2011.

ABOUT IOWA (2-2, 0-0 Big Ten): The Hawkeyes have struggled on offense, scoring 20.5 points per game - 107th among the 120 FBS teams. Sophomore walk-on fullback Mark Weisman, who rose up the depth chart because of injuries, has rushed for three touchdowns in each of his last two games. With running backs Damon Bullock (head) and Greg Garmon (arm) injured, Weisman has rushed for 363 yards on 51 carries, including 217 against Central Michigan. It is uncertain whether Bullock and/or Garmon will play Saturday. Iowa has won 24 of 31 home games since the start of 2008 and has won five straight at home over Minnesota. This will be Kirk Ferentz's 200th game as coach. He is in his 14th season at Iowa (98-68).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Floyd of Rosedale is a bronze statue of a pig, given to the winning team since 1935. It began as a friendly bet between Minnesota Governor Floyd Olson and Iowa Governor Clyde L. Herring in an effort to smooth over the rivalry, which turned ugly when Iowa halfback Clyde Simmons, one of the few black players of the time, was treated poorly during the 1934 game.

2. The Gophers lead the series 61-42-2, including 41-34-2 with Floyd of Rosedale on the line. The first meeting was a 42-4 victory by Minnesota in 1891.

3. Both teams are off next week. Iowa plays at No. 18 Michigan State and Minnesota hosts Northwestern on Oct. 13.

PREDICTION: Iowa 17, Minnesota 16