Iowa looks to regroup from back-to-back losses

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A win over Minnesota this weekend isn't going to help ease the disappointment of Iowa's season all that much.

But a loss to the downtrodden Gophers would make life truly miserable for the Hawkeyes.

All the goals that No. 24 Iowa (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten) had going into the season, like a Big Ten title, a return trip to a BCS bowl game and perhaps a run at a national title, are off the table thanks to back-to-back losses to Northwestern and Ohio State.

The Hawkeyes can still salvage a decent bowl bid and finish above .500 in the league. But that's only if they beat the Gophers (2-9, 1-6) and hang on to the "Floyd of Rosedale" trophy on Saturday.