Through three weeks, the Gophers defense has proven itself as the team’s biggest strength. The unit is coming off of back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1962. Only one other team in the country — Missouri — has posted two shutouts this season already.

The Hawkeyes had won eight straight in this historic series before a controversial finish last season in Iowa City. To keep Floyd of Rosedale, the Gophers will need to overcome Iowa’s stifling run defense.

Iowa has a place in Max Brosmer’s origin story. The transfer quarterback has firmly staked himself onto the Gophers’ side of the Floyd of Rosedale rivalry, but he was born in Davenport, Iowa — only 55 miles east to the Hawkeyes’ campus in Iowa City.

Records: Minnesota and Iowa are both 2-1 with a loss to a Power 4 Conference opponent. The Gophers fell 19-17 to North Carolina in the season opener on Aug 29. The Hawkeyes dropped its first rivalry game, 20-19 to Iowa State on Sept. 7.

Both Iowa and Minnesota enter Saturday's matchup with 2-1 records with a loss at home against a major conference opponent — North Carolina for the Gophers and Iowa State for the