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2011 Big Ten Football: Minnesota Vs. Iowa

For more on the Hawkeyes, visit SB Nation's Black Heart Gold Pants. For more on the Golden Gophers, visit The Daily Gopher.

It's Floyd week in the Twin Cities as the Iowa Hawkeyes come to town this weekend in search of the Floyd of Rosedale against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Minnesota is the current owner of Floyd, having won the trophy back last season after three straight Hawkeye wins.

The Hawkeyes come in hoping to keep pace with Michigan State in the Legends Division, however, and Minnesota is averaging only slightly better than 10 points per game in Big Ten play. Of Minnesota's 31 points scored in Big Ten play none have come before the Gophers trailed by at least 31 points.

The Hawkeyes come in having won two in a row over Northwestern and Indiana, and they need just one more victory to clinch bowl eligibility. Conversely, Minnesota will be officially eliminated from bowl consideration with one more loss. Marcus Coker has rushed for more than 700 yards and eight touchdowns, while James Vandenberg has thrown for 16 touchdown passes. Marvin McNutt is one of the Big Ten's best receiver with 757 yards receiving and eight scores, including three TD's last week against Indiana to become Iowa's all-time leader in TD receptions.

Photographs by Micah Taylor, clairity, and Fibonacci Blue used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.