Rivalry Weekend

I would contend that there is no greater team sports rivalry at any level than college football. There may be individual match-ups (i.e. Yankees vs. Red Sox), but not generally as a sport anything that equals smash-mouth college football on the last Saturday of the season.

Such is the case with Iowa vs. Minnesota tomorrow. Iowa comes in at 6-4, after a thorough (and surprising) dominance over Wisconsin last week. Minnesota is 7-3, having its best season in a long time. Both teams are trying to improve their bowl trip. The game is at Kinnick.

So, which Iowa team will show up? The one that is capable of grinding out 3-4 scoring drives in a row, or the one that goes three and out all half? The one that stuffed Wisconsin's All-American RB to 18 yeards in 15 carries, or the one that let Northwestern and Michigan drive the ball at will when the game was on the line?

I have no idea. My heart tells me to pick Iowa. My gut tells me that Minnesota is going to run up and down the field.

I previously have written (when Iowa was 2-2) that this team would finish 5-6. It promptly went on to win 3 games (all games I said it would win) and then lose to N'Western (which I also predicted). I figured Iowa would be 5-5 heading into this game, with a loss making it 5-6. The bright spot was the Wisconsin win.

This game is a toss-up in my book, so I'll pick with my heart and say Iowa cames out ahead 24-21, with Minnesota driving at the end of the game, and missing a 41 yard field goal with no time left. Go Hawks!!!

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A Survivor note: Way to go! Glad to see Jamie voted off, and equally as surprised. Though 'ol Gary was a goner for sure. Great to see Judd's bug eyes when he realized Jamie was going home and no one had told him. Will Judd go next?

Nope, I think it will be Gary yet. Hope not, but think so.