Bowl Preview: Insight Bowl

Insight Bowl
Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Az.
Minnesota vs. Iowa State
Date: Dec. 31
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Line: Minnesota -2

About Iowa State (6-6): The Cyclones reached a bowl under first-year coach Paul Rhoads due to the miracle of the bowl system. They sure as hell don't deserve it. Their six wins are over: North Dakota State, Kent State, Army, Baylor, Nebraska and Colorado. Okay, I'm supposed to believe beating Nebraska is a big deal. I still don't.

Intangibles:
sadly loyal fan base: +3
Ames: -2
Marcus Pfizer: +3

About Minnesota (6-6): In year three of the Tim Brewster era, he's doing everything he can not to get fired. That would include trying to finish above .500. Brewster came to Minnehaha with lots of promises and has built a remarkably mediocre program.

Intangibles:
"Play4Brew.com": -3
Glen Mason giggling self to sleep: -2
Winter: -6

Impact player: Minnesota QB Adam Weber has been surprisingly ineffective this year. Since the Gophers can't really run the ball, Weber has to play well, or at least not suck, for Minnehaha to win.

Bowl slogan: "A vicious battle to see who can finish above .500 who nobody will see because it's on the NFL Network!"

Little Known Fact: Ugh. Nobody cares about the facts for this bowl, little known or otherwise.

Watchabilty (1-5): -2

The pick: Minnesota 23, Iowa State 21