Iowa's Schedule, Worst to Best: No. 2 Minnesota

Hey, we're up to No. 2. Of the Hlog's list of Iowa's 12 football games in 2013 in terms of being interesting.

To see the teams that have already been ranked, click here and scroll. To see facts about turtles, click here.

No. 2. At Minnesota. Sept. 28, Game #5.

What? Whaaaat? He's ranking Iowa's game against Minnesota this high? Why, because the Gophers broke through and made it to the Heart of Dallas Bowl last season?

No. Because it's a big game for the Hawkeyes. Because it's the Big Ten-opener for the Hawkeyes. Because Minnesota is improving, and it's also a big game and the league-opener for the Gophers.

Because Minnesota beat Iowa at TCF Bank Stadium in both 2010 and 2011 when Iowa had better teams than Minny.

Because no matter what happens in Iowa's four nonconference games, this game is more significant than those. Win it, and Iowa comes home to play Michigan State and you could be looking at 2-0 in the league. (I know, I know. Just like last year, when the Hawkeyes ended up 2-6 in the league. But this year isn't last year, and it never has been.)

This is a vital game for both teams if they are to have a final won-lost record that isn't unsatisfying. Minnesota needs it to start league play with some juice. It doesn't play Ohio State and still has a rugged Big Ten schedule.

Iowa can't think about rejoining the upper half of the Big Ten if it can't get past the Gophers. If it leaves Minneapolis victorious, Hawkeye spirits will be soaring.

Oh, there's a bronzed pig involved, too. It's as good a traveling trophy as college football has. It has a name, Floyd. That's great.

Now, I'm a little biased about this game as a sportswriter who will cover most and perhaps all of Iowa's games this season. One, the Minnesota game is drive-able. That makes it more appealing. Two, it's on Sept. 28, the earliest the two teams have ever met in 107 meetings. That means it probably won't be cold, which is a very good thing.

Here's a video of a gopher that lived under the rocket launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan: