The Pioneer Press asked Madison Hricik, the Iowa Hawkeyes beat writer for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, to answer five questions about the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game between the Gophers and Hawkeyes at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Here’s what Hricik had to say in this week’s Opposition Research:

1. This Hawkeyes team seems to resemble so many of its predecessors (stingy defense, good running game/special teams and more questions/uncertainty at QB). What does this team do well to be 5-1 and what are its weaknesses?

Even with the back-and-forth conversation at quarterback, Iowa’s passing game has opened up in offensive coordinator Tim Lester’s third season. That’s a newer element to Iowa’s offense this season, especially with the help of receivers Reece Vander Zee, Tony Diaz (a transfer from Texas Rio Grande Valley) and tight end DJ Vonnahme.

Iowa’s grind-it-out ability has certainly aided its 5-1 record, but the Hawkeyes haven’t scored touchdowns on opening drives the way they can. With Jeremy Hecklinski starting at quarterback on Saturday, that’s something I’d like to see Iowa make adjustments on.

2. From a Minnesota perspective, the primary stat to describe the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game has become P.J. Fleck’s 1-8 mark against Kirk Ferentz since 2017. What record do you find yourself using to best describe the rivalry?

The primary stat of late isn’t much different, though Iowa fans might also point to the 5-0 record in Minnesota since 2016. With how many chapters there are to the Iowa-Minnesota game, one stat line is tough.

But if there is one to note, even though Fleck is 1-8 against Ferentz since 2017, 10 of the last 11 games in the rivalry have been decided by a touchdown or less. Last year’s 41-3 blowout was (Iowa’s) largest margin of victory since 2008. (Minnesota won 51-14 at home in 2014.)

3. How do you rank Iowa’s rivalries in order — Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin? What makes the Minnesota rivalry so rich?

I think it depends on what the ranking is for. If we’re going off historic rivalries, the order would be Minnesota, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Illinois. If we’re going off a more recency fan bias, it would probably be Iowa State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. There are tons of arguments that could be made for the overall order of those five teams — we had a whole debate as an Iowa beat about this earlier this week.

What makes the Minnesota rivalry so interesting is simply understanding the weight of this matchup over the last century-plus. It isn’t just a trophy game, there’s a lot more to why this game holds a higher importance — from a historical perspective to today’s recruiting spheres. This game is one that will always feel important to both programs, regardless of how either team is doing throughout each season.

4. Looking ahead at Iowa’s remaining schedule — Wisconsin, at No. 24 Northwestern, Purdue, at Illinois and Nebraska — how much scheming and dreaming is going on about the Hawkeyes’ chances of making the College Football Playoff?

Scheming and dreaming is certainly happening for Iowa fans right now. The team, not so much. The back half of Iowa’s schedule is a lot more difficult than Iowa fans initially projected, and the committee will likely only allow a one-loss Iowa team into the CFP. The possibility is there, it’s a matter of Iowa making it happen (with maybe a touch of luck on the Hawkeyes’ side, too).

5. What are your keys to the game and score prediction?

If Hecklinski can lead Iowa in a similar manner that he did at Washington before the bye week, that will be crucial to keeping Floyd of Rosedale in Iowa City. Minnesota will certainly make things difficult for the Hawkeyes. But if both the pass and run game open up, it’ll be difficult to slow down Hecklinski and company.

I doubt it’ll be the blowout that last season was, but the Hawkeyes’ confidence should guide them following the bye week.

Iowa, 31-21

Source: Yahoo Sports