Few college football teams have as many rivalry trophy games as Iowa football. 

Each of the four trophy games - Iowa State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Minnesota - carry a different meaning for the Hawkeyes, but it doesn't take long for outsiders to figure out which trophy, not necessarily the specific opponent, means the most for Iowa to keep inside the Hansen Football Performance Center each year.

The trophy is none other than Floyd of Rosedale, the 98-pound bronze pig that is awarded to the winner of the Iowa-Minnesota game each season. Though the Gophers lead the overall series, 63-54-2, the Hawkeyes have dominated the matchup in recent years by winning 10 of the last 11 meetings. 

Another chapter of this historic rivalry will be renewed on Saturday as No. 15 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) travels to take on the always-hungry Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2, 2-1) at Huntington Bank Stadium (2:30 p.m., FS1). The Hawkeyes are seeking a sixth consecutive victory in Minneapolis and a third straight win in the overall series, and DraftKings plugs them as a very early 6.5-point road favorite. 

So it won't surprise anyone if Iowa leaves The Land of 10,000 Lakes with a victory, but you wouldn't know that after talking to the Hawkeye players. While the Gophers (especially head coach P.J. Fleck) are probably desperately trying to find any way to win this football game, they've got the motivation to do so. Losing by a combined score of 72-17 over two seasons against a hated rival has to hurt.

Whenever Fleck is lucky enough to steal a victory over his hated rivals (Iowa, Michigan, or Wisconsin), he does so in very unconventional fashion. For example, the coach smeared the blood of one of his own players on his face after Minnesota took down Michigan earlier this season. 

The reaction from Hawkeye players was mixed. Defensive lineman Luke Gaffney chalked it up to Minnesota's personal "groove," while running back L.J. Phillips Jr. actually praised Fleck's reaction, calling it "intense." 

The sharp disdain is clear on Minnesota's side, but don't think those feelings aren't mutual. No matter who dons the black and gold - transfer, first-year, or a fifth-year senior - this game is all about protecting the pig, which currently resides in the weight room on game week as a reminder to the players what they are playing for. 

Gaffney is gearing up for his fifth Floyd of Rosedale game as a Hawkeye, but he's experienced this rivalry far more than most Iowa players because he grew up a Hawkeye fan in nearby Robins, Iowa. If that wasn't enough, Gaffney has family from Minnesota as well. 

"It goes right through our entire family. So it's good. Got got some friendly banter between the family right now, but it's nothing too crazy. So yeah, it does mean a lot, a lot of historical meaning to it all," Gaffney said at media availability on Oct. 20. 

While there's plenty of other Iowa players that grew up cheering on the Hawkeyes in this rivalry game, what about some of the players that are new to this rivalry? Phillips is entering his first trophy game as a Hawkeye after missing the Iowa State game due to injury, but he's healthy and ready to go for this game. 

Though Phillips doesn't know much about the historical significance of this rivalry, the trophy in the weight room is all he needs to see. Having his sister in the stands will help, too. 

"Every trophy game is great. I missed out on the first trophy game, so I'm excited to get to play in this one and help this team and contribute to a win," Phillips said. 

But the man that has the most pressure on his shoulders is undoubtedly quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski. Hecklinski was named the starting quarterback for Saturday's game on Tuesday afternoon, but this game is significant for other reasons. 

Though Hecklinski barely played in 2025, Minnesota will always be the team that yielded his first career collegiate touchdown. The opportunity to play the Gophers on the road is what excites him the most. 

"It's [the trophy] pretty cool. Yeah, I touch it every day when when I walk through there just to remind myself of what this game is about," Hecklinski said. "[This game] is about keeping the trophy." 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]