Iowa vs Minnesota Prediction: Can the Hawkeyes Keep Floyd?

In 1935, Iowa and Minnesota played for the rights to Floyd, a prize pig from Iowa, in an attempt to make the spicy border war rivalry a bit more fun. Minnesota won 13-6, the pig died, and a bronze statue was created to serve as the trophy for the winner. Minnesota won 52-0 in 1936 and got to keep the fake pig until Iowa finally broke the streak with a 13-9 win in 1939. This year, it means a little more. Iowa lost to Ohio State, but came back and ripped up Washington 41-24. With just one loss, it has a buffer – a 10-2 Iowa would absolutely get into the College Football Playoff. However, this might be the toughest remaining test. Minnesota couldn't hang with Purdue in a 41-13 loss, and it's one loss away from effectively being out of the CFP mix. But for now, just getting Floyd back would be good enough.

Iowa gets home games in two of the next three games, starting with Wisconsin and then going to Northwestern.

Minnesota keeps alternating the home and road games, going to Indiana next before hosting UCLA.

Iowa has owned the series lately, going 10-1 going back to 2014, with Minnesota's last win 12-10 in 2023.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026 Game Time: 3:30 PM ET TV: FS1 Location: Huntington Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN – Week 8 Schedule & Predictions – What Will the CFP 12-Seed Bracket Be? – CFN Top 25 | Bowl Projections – CFN Expert Picks: Week 8

Okay, Jeremy Hecklinski. Do that again. Out of nowhere, Hecklinski got off the plane in Seattle and completed 14-of-19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Washington. That was good, but Kamari Moulton's 208 yards on the ground and two scores helped make it a rout. Minnesota couldn't handle Kamario Taylor's passing in the 38-13 loss to Mississippi State several weeks ago, and Fluff Bothwell's 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns made things even worse. Last week, the Gophers came out to stop Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne, and Fame Ijeboi ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns. However …

Yeah, Mississippi State and Purdue ripped up the Gopher defense. The running backs went off, but Kamario Taylor and Ryan Browne both ran wild to turn their respective games into a rout. Hecklinski has run twice for five yards, and fellow Iowa quarterback Hank Brown has rushed for just one score. Minnesota has to control the clock, the tempo, and the lines. It's No. 1 in the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed, the pass rush is great, and when this team gets physical, look out.

Iowa vs Minnesota Prediction, Betting Lines

Never mess with a rivalry streak. The weather in Minneapolis will be absolutely perfect, and Iowa fans will expect the fireworks they got in the win over Washington. Minnesota won't let that happen. The Gophers will need Drake Lindsey to get hot from the start and hit his third down shots. The problem will be an Iowa pass rush that will bother him enough to keep that from happening. The lack of a steady Gopher running game will be glaring.

Iowa 24, Minnesota 16 Latest Consensus Line: Iowa -7.5, o/u: 40.5 ATS Confidence (out of 5) : 2 Must See Rating (out of 5) : 4

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.