Tuesday, Iowa was named #5 in CFP poll; Wednesday, Veterans Day was celebrated across America, ahead of Saturday night's Battle for Floyd of Rosedale ...

The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrating after winning their 9th victory on the 2015 season,
at Indiana on Saturday. It was the fourth road victory of the year against a Power 5
program for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa City, IA -- It has been a positive week heading into Saturday's return to Kinnick Stadium for the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes. After last Saturday's 35-27 win at Indiana to propel Iowa to 9-0 for the second time in program history, the Hawkeyes were named #5 on Tuesday night, when the second College Football Playoff poll was announced. There was plenty of Iowa talk on Veterans Day, as the sports talking heads continued their conversations on the Hawkeyes and the new CFP ratings.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are #5, just outside the Final 4, in the second College Football
Playoff poll of 2015. The Hawkeyes will host Minnesota on Saturday night.

Iowa's run to a 9-0 start, 5-0 in the B1G West has been felt in all three phases of the game. 

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is the first Hawkeye signal caller to open 10-0
as a starter in the history of the program. Five wins on the road and five at home.

On offense:

• Iowa has the third most balanced offensive production in FBS. The Hawkeyes have 3,708 total yards -- 1,845 yards rushing, 1,863 yards passing. (Kent State 1,323/1,323; Auburn 1,700/1,712)
• Iowa has 25 rushing touchdowns, second in the Big Ten (Ohio State, 26) and ninth nationally
• Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten with 13 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards. The Hawkeyes had 12 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards all of last season, and 13 such plays in 2012 and 2013 combined

The Hawkeyes have really improved in 2015, after a 7-6 record, last season.
The #1 area to look at for Iowa has been the development of the defensive unit.

On defense:

• Iowa has allowed just three rushing touchdowns; No. 1 nationally
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in takeaways (20), interceptions (13) and turnover margin (+11)
• Iowa allows 16.6 points per game. Among the five other unbeaten FBS schools, only Ohio State allows fewer points (15.0)

Iowa junior Desmond King has become an effective special team player in
2015, leading the Hawkeyes in punt and kick returning.

On special teams:

• Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard game-winning field goal vs. Pitt is the second longest in school history and the second longest in FBS this season
• Iowa’s two-man punt team of seniors Dillon Kidd (43.3) and Marshall Koehn (46.2) rank fourth in the Big Ten averaging 42.6 yards per punt
• Junior Desmond King averages 12.9 yards per punt return, No. 3 in the Big Ten, and 23.6 yards on KO returns, No. 6 in the Big Ten

Saturday is Military Appreciation Day at Kinnick Stadium

One of the University of Iowa football team's most famous alums is 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick. The first Hawkeye football player to earn first-team All-America honors was Fred Becker in 1916.

Both were United States veterans and both lost their lives serving in the military. Becker was killed in active duty in 1918 during World War I; Kinnick died during a training flight while serving as a United States Navy aviator during World War II.

Iowa's Nile Kinnick, the 1939
Heisman Trophy winner joined
the U.S. Navy as an aviator.
He was lost at sea in 1943.

Saturday's game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-4 B1G West) is designated as Military Appreciation Day in honor of Veterans Day. The University of Iowa and its Veterans Association has organized events to honor veterans associated with the university and Hawkeye community.

Iowa students Jacob Stone and Sheena Anderson were among the participants in a Veterans Association 280-mile ruck march that brought the game ball from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to Kinnick Stadium to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Stone is a veteran of the U.S. Marines, Anderson is a U.S. Army veteran.

Participants marched in teams of three while carrying ruck sacks weighing 22 pounds, a symbol of the 22 veterans who take their own lives by suicide each day. The 57 members of the ruck march will form the tunnel the Hawkeyes swarm through onto the field for Saturday's game.

Thank you to our Veterans, as Kinnick Stadium celebrated a past Military
Appreciation Day, as Saturday night's game will celebrate ...

The Iowa football program and the Army ROTC also identified five distinguished veterans -- all Iowa graduates or former cadre -- to serve as the traditional color guard. The five individuals selected are: Colonel G. Dave Lewis, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brothers, Lieutenant Colonel Brad Cook, Master Sergeant David J. Stoen, and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Coble.

The on-field events come on the heels of a Tickets for Troops initiative that was rolled out earlier this fall. The UI partnered with fans, giving them an option to purchase tickets at a reduced price and donate them to active duty and veteran military members to attend Saturday's game at no cost.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 10-5 against Minnesota, as a head coach.

The battle for the Floyd of Rosedale begins at 7:12 p.m. (CST) on Saturday night, in prime time for Iowa-Minnesota. The game, which is sold out, will be televised on BTN. It is the first November night game in Hawkeye history. It is the 80th anniversary of first battle for Floyd of Rosedale, back in 1935.

Minnesota DC Tracy Claeys was named
head coach on Wednesday of the Golden
Gophers, after 20 years as an assistant
with Jerry Kill, who stepped down, due
to health issues two weeks ago.

Minnesota has chosen to elevate Tracy Claeys as the permanent replacement for Jerry Kill, who resigned, prior to the Gophers games with Michigan and Ohio State, two weeks ago. After an 0-2 start, as an interim coach, Claeys was given a three year contract, beginning in 2016.

"They're playing better this year (Iowa), there's no question. They've kind of gelled. Things are going their way. It will be a tremendous challenge. At the same time, being a trophy game, our kids will be excited. I expect us to play well. It will be a tough environment," said Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys ahead of the Iowa game.

The Gophers and Hawkeyes battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
Minnesota beat Iowa 51-14 in Minneapolis, last season, which
was the most lop-sided loss for the Hawkeyes, since 1949.

"Offensively they've got a veteran quarterback who's a really good football player. They're a big, physical group up front like they traditionally are. Good backs, good receivers, so that's going to be a big challenge for our team," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

Minnesota junior QB #7 Mitch Leidner leads the Golden Gophers offense.
He is a threat both running and passing the football for Minnesota.

"Then flipping it on the other side of the football, they're very aggressive defensively, run very well at all positions, extremely good in the secondary. I know they feel great about those guys, and rightfully so," Ferentz said this week, ahead of the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.

The strength of Golden Gophers defense is three returning starters in the
secondary. A match-up to watch will be Iowa's passing game vs. Minnesota,
including one of the top cornerback units in the Big Ten, with seniors #29 Brian
Boddy-Calhoun and #31 Eric Murray, who were 1st and 2nd team respectively.

"And then special teams wise they have two of the better specialists you're going to find in the conference. They're a very, very good football team, and we're going to have a big challenge on our hands," said Ferentz.

Last year, Maxx Williams was a highlight reel against Iowa. He has departed
to the NFL. Sophomore TE Brandon Lingen had a personal high 111 yards
on five catches against Michigan in the 29-26 loss for the Gophers. The
Golden Gophers took Michigan down to the final play and came up short.

"November as I said earlier is a big month, certainly a big month for any college football team. Certainly it is for us, and to be back in Kinnick is really special, and to be there in a night game is always a special thing," said Ferentz.

On Tuesday, the second College Football Playoff poll was announced.

"Twenty-sixth year now being involved in Kinnick Stadium. It never gets old. It's just a very, very special place to play college football. We'll have a great environment Saturday night. There's no doubt about that. But that being said, the fans can't play the game, just like when we're on the road, the opposing fans don't decide the game. It's going to get decided on the field, so we're going to have to have a great week of preparation. We'll have to be ready to go at kickoff against this team. We've got our work cut out and we've been working on that, and we look forward to trying to finish the week out well." - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz

Iowa will host a "Blackout" game on Saturday night, with an all-black
alternate uniform for the Hawkeyes to breakout and attempt to reach 10-0
for the first time in Iowa football history.

Can Iowa make history on Saturday night, reaching 10-0 for the first time in program history?

"We'll find out Saturday because we've got a real big challenge and we're going to have to really have a good week of preparation. That's really the best way to get there, and we've tried to explain that to our players. Back during the bye week we told them to think big, but no matter how big they thought and whatever they may have been dreaming up, you can only get there week by week. That's about all you can control. I know it's boring and mundane. But for us to be focused or spend time on anything else right now is really counterproductive, and to me the best thing to do is worry about their academics, worry about the game plan, preparation, and maybe go on a date or something like that if they've got time. That's great, too. We just need to worry about this one because it's tricky sledding out there," said Ferentz on the historical game on Saturday night for Iowa.

Plenty of excitement surrounding the Iowa Football program this November.

Game Day Iowa: Kickoff of the '14 season at Kinnick vs. Northern Iowa Panthers

The University of Iowa (8-5, 5-3 B1G in '13) celebrates their 125th anniversary of Hawkeye Football in 2014, as the Northern Iowa Panthers (7-5, 3-5 MVfC in '13) come to Kinnick Stadium to open the '14 season.

There is plenty of history to celebrate with Iowa Football and College Football in 2014. The new College Football Playoff has replaced the old BCS in '14.

It has been 75 years, since the Iowa Ironmen team and the 1939 season and Nile Kinnick's Heisman season. The Hawkeyes have enjoyed memorable seasons over the past 125 and 75 years, respectively.

Personally, it is the 40th anniversary of my first college season at Kinnick, as a young Hawkeye fan. Sadly, 2014 is the first college football season, without my father alive, as he passed away this Summer.

Iowa is 15-1 in the UNI series, as the only loss came in game 1, back in 1898. It was only five years ago, when the Hawkeyes needed to block back to back Panther field goals, on consecutive plays, at the end of the game, to preserve the win at Kinnick, in another season opener. Last season, UNI beat Iowa State 28-20, in their season opener.

Iowa enters their 16th season with head coach Kirk Ferentz (108 wins, 6-5 in bowls) at the helm. It has been ten years, since Iowa took home a share of a Big Ten title in football. Iowa won co-championships in both 2002 and 2004, under Ferentz leadership.

Iowa hasn't competed for a Big Ten title, since the 2009 season, five years ago, when they fell short in OT at Ohio State. Today, division football enters year 4 in the Big Ten, but with a new geographic divisions for '14.

Iowa is part of the new B1G West in 2014, as Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin and the Hawkeyes make up new geographic division in the new 14 member conference. Maryland and Rutgers are now in the Big Ten and will join Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State in the East division.

Iowa opens at Kinnick Stadium today, the first of four non-conference games to open the 2014 campaign. The Hawkeyes return eight starters on offense, five on defense, with 40 returning letterman.

Both programs, Iowa and UNI, should be better on offense in 2014. Each has a 1-2 option at QB, though junior Jake Rudock is a clear #1 for the Hawkeye offense. Sophomore C.J. Beathard could come in some situational plays in '14 for the Hawkeyes.

Both programs like to run the football. Iowa goes four-deep at RB, with seniors Mark Weisman, Damon Bullock, junior Jordan Canzeri and sophomore LeShun Daniels. UNI counters with senior David Johnson, who Iowa recruited as a greyshirt. Former Iowa RB Barkley Hill, transferred during the summer to UNI. Hill was buried deep on the Iowa depth chart, when he vacated Iowa City. He should finally make his college debut today.

Both teams have experience in the offensive line. Iowa is lead by senior FBS pre-season all-American LT Brandon Scherrff. Senior Andrew Donnal will man the RT spot for Iowa, while junior C Austin Blythe calls the offensive line signals again. Junior Jordan Walsh is back, with redshirt freshman Sean Welsh the other guard spot for Iowa, as we kickoff the '14 season.

Senior FCS preseason all-American candidate Jack Rummels anchors the Panthers in the offensive line in '14. The Panthers have watched North Dakota State emerge as a three-time FCS champion, lately as a fellow MVfC member. North Dakota State opens in Ames today. ISU comes to Kinnick in two weeks.

The FCS schools knocked off a record 16 FBS schools in '13. UNI enjoyed one of those wins in Ames last year. North Dakota State took down Kansas State last year and will look to make it two in a row for the FCS in Ames.

If Iowa is going to compete for a Big Ten title in 2014, they will have to improve their explosive plays this season on offense. The passing attack will have to improve.

Iowa has four experienced tights ends for third-year, offensive coordinator Greg Davis to utilize. Senior Ray Hamilton, juniors Henry Krieger-Coble, Jake Duzey and sophomore George Little bring variables to the Iowa offense.

The wide receivers have been mostly quiet the past several years for Iowa, but that may change in '14?

Senior Kevonte Martin-Manly (40 catches, 5 tds), junior Tevaun Smith (huge TD vs. Michigan in '13) and senior Diamond Powell (24.2 yds per catch, 2 tds) were the Top 3 wide receivers last year. They are all back, as is junior Jacob Hillyer, as seasoned wide receiver. 

Sophomore Matt VandeBerg made two starts last year and redshirt freshmen Derrick Willies, Derrick Mitchell and Andre Harris all are options at WR. Senior walk-on Andrew Stone could factor in as a possession receiver.

The strength of the Iowa defense is the return of all four starters in the defensive line. Iowa was very good in run defense and points allowed in '13, but all three talented starting linebackers are in the NFL now.

Defensive coordinator Phil Parker will enter year three, as DC. He has been at Iowa leading the defensive backs, since 1999, during Kirk Ferentz's first season. Iowa's coaching staff is seasoned with a mix of experience and youth.

Iowa will see senior MLB Quinton Alston anchor the Iowa defense in '14. He will benefit up the middle with senior defensive tackles Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat. Davis, like Scherff on offense, is receiving pre-season all-American talk. Trica-Pasat is one of Iowa's four team captains in the opener, with Weisman, Scherrf and Alston.

Iowa has a three-man rotation back at defensive end with senior Mike Hardy, juniors Drew Ott and Nate Meier. Juniors Riley McMinn and Melvin Spears need to step up, as reserves.

Depth and experience is a concern on defense for Iowa, but the defense could be stout again at times?

The defensive line lost junior Darian Cooper to knee surgery, so the #3 DT will come from sophomores Jaleel Johnson, Faith Ekakitie and redshirt freshman Nathan Bazata in '14.

Sophomore Reggie Spearman will man the WLB position, after playing as a true frosh last season, as a specialist on pass rush, in Iowa's Raider defense. Look for more nickel and dime looks in '14 on passing downs by the Hawkeyes?

The other linebacker spot is an interesting story for Iowa. Ferentz rewarded a redshirt freshman Bo Bower the first start and a scholarship to open his career. Bower turned down a scholarship at UNI to walk-on at Iowa. His debut comes vs. UNI today at The Kinnick.

Iowa's secondary has two returning starters, but otherwise new. Senior SS John Lowdermilk is back. Sophomore Desmond King became the starter, after week 1, when he replaced an injured starter in last year's opener vs. Northern Illinois. King could be very special in the Hawkeye secondary and is a player to keep an eye on for Iowa.

The other members of the secondary for Iowa in '14. Junior Jordan Lomax manned King's CB spot in last year's opener, but he has moved this off season to the FS position for Iowa. The other new CB for Iowa is sophomore Greg Mabin (6-2 converted WR), with junior Sean Draper and sophomore Maurice Fleming pushing Mabin.

True freshmen Miles Taylor and Ben Niemann are expected to play today. Taylor is a reserve safety and Niemann is likely a reserve linebacker, both should play special teams. Juniors Travis Perry (one start in '12), Cole Fisher and senior Chad Gilson, transfer from UNI, are all reserve linebackers and will find roles on special teams in '14.

Special teams are always important, especially in season openers. Iowa returns specialists Canzeri (25.2 yards per KO return) and PR Martin-Manly (15.7, 2 tds). Redshirt freshman, reserve RBs Jonathan Parker and Akrum Wadley may help in roles on kick returns in '14, as well,  for Iowa.

Iowa has a new placekicker and punter in '14, despite the return of two-year junior punter Connor Kornbath's (40.0 per punt) return. Junior college transfer, junior Dillon Kidd will get the start at punter. Kornbath's strength has been pinning teams inside the 20, but Kidd appears to have a stronger leg. Kidd's dad had a long career in the NFL, as a punter.

Four-year placekicker Mike Meyer has graduated. So, junior Marshall Koehn is likely first up as the new PK for Iowa, with true freshman Mick Ellis from the Lone Star State in the mix, likely in '14. The new long snapper is redshirt freshman Tyler Kluver. There are some big shoes to fill in '14.

Iowa vs. UNI

Season openers are always a little anxious, since no one really knows just how their team will gel right out of the gates.

Iowa is known for slow, methodical starts under Kirk Ferentz. In 2005, Iowa roared out of the gate vs. Ball State, but that has been the exception the past 15 seasons, rather than the rule.

UNI coach Mark Farley likely has a Panther team with an offense ahead of the defense, which may help Iowa more in the Season Opener?

Does Iowa continue to struggle in Season Openers for the third straight season?

UNI is most experienced in the secondary on defense. Some believe it should be 'stellar' in '14. Iowa found Northern Illinois' secondary in '12 and '13 solid in the secondary.

The middle of the UNI may be stout, like Iowa?  Defensive tackle Xavier Williams is a stout, 311 pound anchor. He was all-conference and had 74 tackles last year. Senior linebacker Jake Farley is not 100 percent, but is expected to play, coming off a broken leg during the loss to North Dakota State, last season. Leading tackler over the first five games last season.

Iowa and UNI both could be set for breakout seasons. Lately, both have been up and down in their respective conferences and Division 1 divisions (FBS vs. FCS). Neither has had the success as their fan bases have enjoyed in the past under respective coaches, Ferentz and Farley.

Keys to game:

1. Line of scrimmage,
2. Special teams and turnovers,
3. Explosive plays,
4. Down and distance,
5. Coaching adjustments and temperament.

Cidsports Game Pick:
Iowa 38
UNI 17

This game could be close, but UNI defense has been apparently running behind the offense. Iowa should return to having a better offense and defense should be able to control line of scrimmage more than UNI.