Buck Bravo

KSTP ran a story updating the progress of Sam Maresh:

The following video features a reaction by Steve Davis to the Iowa game:

Willie VanDeSteeg is interviewed on the Big Ten Network:

The University of Minnesota Marching Band is featured:

Despite vulgar fans and an unsportsmanlike coach who runs up the score, Iowa does have a great running back in Shonn Greene:

Here’s a Big Ten Network interview with Shonn Greene:

I don’t recommend watching the following highlights from the Iowa game:

Minnesota native James Laurinaitis is interviewed on the Big Ten Network:

Here are a few Big Ten highlights from week 13:

Based upon the predictions that I’ve read this evening, it appears that the Gophers will be playing in the Motor City Bowl. If Congress passes the 25 billion dollar bailout plan for the big three auto makers, perhaps a portion will come back to Miinesota as payment for a bowl appearance in Detroit. I hate to say that I predicted a Motor City Bowl appearance on September 7 when I posted the following comment:

“We’ll be going to Detroit, a cornucopia of tourism and winter delight, for the Motor City Bowl come December.”

At the time of the post, I thought that I’d be accused of overestimating the Gopers’ potential. How times have changed. Check back Monday morning for a full recap of Saturday’s events.

- The Iowa City Press-Citizen discusses TCF Bank Stadium and the end of Kinnick North Stadium in this article.

- The only Iowa blog, Black Heart Gold Pants, has no reservations in expressing Iowa’s feelings towards Minnesota. Black Heart Gold Pants enters a verbal rage in this article:

It’s not entirely the fault of the fans, either; Minnesota is the only Big Ten team playing in an off-campus multi-purpose garbage heap, and the trip from St. Paul is a hike. Of course, this means plenty of empty seats for me and 40,000 of my closest friends. I’m coming to your city, Gophers, and I’m bringing hell with me. Your new stadium may belong to TCF Bank, but your old one still belongs to us.

- The Star Tribune features an article about the Metrodome’s evolution into the worst stadium in college football.

- Marcus Fuller of the Pioneer Press discusses the recruits who are expected to attend Saturday’s game.

- Nadine Babu of GopherHole.com interviews four Gopher seniors in this article.

- Golden Gopher Football blog wraps up the Wisconsin game and notes that “All that matters now is Iowa.”

- The Daily Gopher asks, “Who hates Iowa”?

- The University of Miinesota now has an official bowl game website.

- Adam Rittenberg of ESPN’s Big Ten Blog discusses Tim Brewster’s reaction to Texas naming Will Muschamp as their coach in waiting behind Mack Brown.

- Michigan blog Maize and Blue Nation states “I hate Iowa. I think Minnesota will win. That is all.”

- Michigan Sports Center predicts “Shonn Greene will have another big day and will lead the Hawkeyes to victory.”

- Penn State’s The Nittany Line notes “The Gophers and their 62nd ranked rushing defense are about to learn what an amazing running back Shonn Greene is.”

Since 1982, Iowans have taken a biannual pilgrimage into Minnesota in order to support their beloved Hawkeyes in Kinnick North Stadium.  Officially known as the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Kinnick North Stadium has been good to fans of Iowa football. 

Iowa, the home state of John Wayne, is one of the last states that still embodies the Midwestern image of the family farm, small towns without locked doors and honest, humble people.  Minnesota football fans have always dreaded the influx of yellow-clad Iowans into their territory.  The Iowa Hawkeyes have a record of 18-8 at Kinnick North.  But just as railroads ended the era of covered wagon caravans headed West, so will the 2009 opening of TCF Stadium Bank end the pilgrimage of Iowans to Kinnick North Stadium.  Progress has a price.  Iowa fans have but one last sentimental journey to Kinnick North Stadium, and their beloved Hawkeyes will face a determined opponent.

Both Minnesota and Iowa enter the game with a record of 7-4.  In addition to having similar records, the two teams should match up well.  Iowa’s offensive strength is their running game.  Shonn Greene is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate averaging 6.2 yards per carry and having 15 touchdowns.  Take away yardage from scrambling quarterbacks, and Minnesota has been strong against the run.  The Gopher defense should force the Iowa offense to open up the passing game, and sophomore Hawkeye quarterback Ricky Stanzi will be tested.  The Iowa defense has been strong against the run and will likely force the Gophers to pass.  The Gophers should have wide receiver Eric Decker back from an injury, and will likely likely respond to the Iowa defense with a passing frenzy.

Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game, the end of an era will be at hand.  Minnesota fans will be relieved to have finally escaped the sterile environment of the Metrodome.  In 2009, tickets will be in high demand for TCF Bank Stadium.  It will be one of the best stadiums in all of college football, while the Metrodome has been one of the worst.  The high demand for tickets at TCF Bank Stadium will greatly diminish the number of Iowans who are able to attend the 2010 game.  Hundreds of years from now, Iowans may actually ponder the question as to whether there was a mythical Kinnick North Stadium.  For now, many will inevitably shed a tear on Saturday for their memories at Kinnick North Stadium.