These are two big rivals and other coaches before Tim Brewster had complained about what a handicap it was to play for Paul Bunyan's Axe one week and Floyd of Rosedale the next week.
Only time will tell whether this will help the Gophers perform better at Iowa on Saturday. But Brewster said he thinks it will.
"This year I am pleased that we played Wisconsin earlier in the season and we finish with Iowa," said Brewster. "That separation is a good thing."
The Gophers haven't won at Iowa since 1999, and the chances of them winning this game against one of the better teams in the country aren't good.
However, while the No. 15 Hawkeyes almost beat Ohio State last week, they have struggled at times, beating Northern Iowa 17-16, Arkansas State 24-21, Michigan 30-28 and Michigan State on the final play of the game, 15-13. It will be a big upset if the Gophers win.
Marc Trestman, the former Gophers player, Vikings assistant coach and an offensive coordinator for many teams, is 15-3 as coach of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League after taking the team to the Grey Cup finals last year and losing. If you ask Bud Grant who he thinks is one of the top coaching prospects, he will nominate Trestman, who could get a head coaching job in the NFL next year.
Former Gophers running back Marion Barber had a banner year with the Cowboys last year but this year injuries have limited him to carrying the ball 103 times for 473 yards. A fractured left thumb limited Barber to 26 yards in the first half of the Packers loss and minus-1 yard in the second half. ... And his ex-college teammate, Laurence Maroney, is a second-team running back with the Patriots, and his totals are 94 carries for 378 yards.
Walk-ons with former Gophers football coach Glen Mason who wound up with scholarships under Brewster include receiver Ben Kuznia, defensive tackle Barrett Moen, running back Damola Ogundipe and the Tow-Arnett brothers: offensive lineman Jeff and tight end Nick.
