Iowa football sits in seven-way tie in Big Ten standings at Week 9

IOWA CITY — It might feel like half the conference is in third place, but that’s how things line up through eight weeks of college football.

Iowa is just one win away from clinching another season of bowl eligibility, with a chance to do it against rival Minnesota on Saturday afternoon. After a delayed kickoff announcement, the Hawkeyes will host the Golden Gophers on national television, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. (CT).

Across the conference, there’s still some movement happening. After all, a tie only stays a tie until there are matchups to determine the rankings.

Here’s where the Hawkeyes fit into the conference at Week 9.

How the Hawkeye’s win impacts the Big Ten

After a comeback win over Penn State, Iowa is now in a seven-way tie for third place in the Big Ten. However, the Hawkeyes are 2-0 in road conference games this season.

Three other conference programs have the same overall record as Iowa, 5-2, including the Hawkeyes’ next opponent, Minnesota.

The only two teams above the Hawkeyes are the two best teams in the country, No. 1 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) and No. 2 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten).

The Big Ten’s standings are starting to show some separation within itself now, too. Five teams are ranked this week, with three sitting inside the top 10. Four of the five ranked teams have stayed inside the top 25 all season along, including the Buckeyes’ stagnant top ranked spot.

USC and Minnesota receiving votes this week. The Trojans earned 97 points, putting them at the de facto No. 26 spot, while the Golden Gophers earned just one vote.

Notes on Iowa

Iowa kicker Drew Stevens broke the program record for all-time made field goals against Penn State, kicking his 68th made kick in the fourth quarter. Stevens is 14-for-19 in field goals this season.

The Hawkeyes’ depth chart had little change, but linebacker Jaden Harrell was listed second at middle linebacker after being questionable against Penn State.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said he’d hoped to have running back Jaziun Patterson back this week against Minnesota, but he’s not listed on this week’s depth chart. Patterson has been out with an injury since the Hawkeyes faced Rutgers on Sept. 19.

Notes on Minnesota

While upsetting now-unranked Nebraska on Friday night, the Golden Gophers’ defense had a program record nine sacks. Of note, the Hawkeyes haven’t allowed a sack on Gronowski since facing Indiana on Sept. 27, and have only allowed nine sacks all season.

The trenches, particularly following Minnesota’s performance, will be the key position to follow to determine a winner for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy.

Minnesota (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) is on the road for three of its next four games, only returning to its home turf to welcome Michigan State in two weeks.

The Golden Gophers are still a pass-heavy offense, relying on redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey. He’s recorded 10 passing touchdowns this season with a 63-percent completion rate and three interceptions.

Game of the Week

Though there aren’t many ranked matchups this week, one to keep an eye on is No. 2 Indiana and UCLA. The Bruins have won their last three games since firing their head coach a month ago, while the Hoosiers have been combing through their schedule with very few opponents causing too much issue.

Another game with immediate importance for Iowa is Wisconsin at Oregon, with the Ducks coming to Iowa City after the Hawkeyes’ bye week next week. Though the Badgers have struggled through their season, Iowa fans can see how Oregon lines up against a team the Hawkeyes had a tight hand on just two weeks ago.

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