Tempe, AZ (Sports Network) - For the third time in four seasons the Minnesota Golden Gophers will take part in the Insight Bowl when they clash with the Iowa State Cyclones on New Year's Eve at Sun Devil Stadium.

The Gophers fell to Kansas last season, 42-21 in this bowl, and were also defeated by Texas Tech 44-41 in overtime back in 2006. Overall Minnesota is just 5-8 in bowl games and has dropped its last three postseason contests. The last time Minnesota captured a victory in a bowl game was in 2004 when the Gophers slipped past Alabama, 20-16, in the Music City Bowl.

2009 was an inconsistent season for Minnesota, which finished with a mere 6-6 mark on the year. The Gophers held on for a postseason berth despite dropping four of their last six matchups.

Just like the Golden Gophers, the Cyclones went through peaks and valleys all year and finished with a mere 6-6 ledger. The team also closed out its regular season in a slump, losing three of its last four games. This is the 10th bowl appearance for Iowa State, and the first for the team since 2005. The Cyclones have dropped seven of their nine bowl matchups, but one of their two victories came in the 2000 Insight Bowl, as Iowa State defeated Pittsburgh, 37-29.

The Golden Gophers hold a commanding 22-2-1 edge over Iowa State in the all- time series, but over the past 85 years these two schools have only collided three times. All three matchups went in favor of Minnesota, including the last meeting in 1997 when the Golden Gophers pounded Iowa State, 53-29.

The Golden Gophers might have won six games this season, but the team did very little offensively to be considered a dangerous force. Minnesota tallied just 295.8 total ypg on the season, and that lead to a mediocre 21.6 ppg. The ground game struggled big time, as the team averaged a meager 97.6 ypg on 2.9 yards per tote, ranking 112th in the country. Daune Bennett scored six rushing touchdowns on the season, but the tailback rushed for just 376 yards, while Kevin Whaley added 325 yards and two scores on 4.2 yards per attempt. Unfortunately the passing attack was not much better for the Gophers, as the team threw for just 198.2 ypg during the regular season. Adam Weber was wildly inconsistent throughout most of the season, completing just 51.6 percent of his throws. Weber totaled just 2,321 yards in the air and tossed just 12 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. The only reliable target for Weber has been Eric Decker, who led the team with 50 receptions, 758 yards and five touchdowns. However, a sprained foot has Decker listed as questionable for this game.

On top of Minnesota's lack of success offensively, the team also had its issues on the defensive side of the field. The Gophers come into this matchup allowing 24.6 ppg, which is not terrible, but this unit has endures struggles against the pass and the run. Opponents have thrown for 217.4 ypg against the Gophers, and stopping the run has been an even bigger problem for Minnesota, as the team is being gashed for 146.7 ypg on the ground and has also allowed 18 rushing touchdowns. What has been a bright spot for this defense has been its ability to force mistakes, as the Golden Gophers have collected 24 takeaways. Another positive about this unit has been the play of Lee Campbell, who has racked up 112 tackles and 9.5 TFLs, both of which are team highs. Nate Triplett has also done well throughout the season, collecting 96 tackles.

Throughout the season the Cyclones were mediocre at best offensively, finishing the regular season averaging a mere 21.1 ppg. The rushing attack has been successful however, churning out 177.3 ypg on 4.5 yards per tote. Alexander Robinson has rumbled for 1,058 yards and six touchdowns on the season, while quarterback Austen Arnaud has contributed with 485 yards and seven rushing scores. However, Arnaud was extremely inconsistent with his arm on the year, throwing for just 1,799 yards. Arnaud did complete 57.4 percent of his throws, but the signal caller only tossed 13 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. In Arnaud's defense, the Cyclones do not possess any game- changing receivers, which clearly left the quarterback with a lack of options. Marquis Hamilton has been the most reliable wideout, but he has hauled in only 46 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns. Jake Williams has also grabbed four scores but he comes into this bowl game with just 30 catches and 320 yards.

Oddly enough the defense for Iowa State held the opposition to just 22.6 ppg on the season. The reason it is a bit shocking is because this same unit surrendered a whopping 414.3 total ypg. Iowa State was gashed for 169.3 ypg on the ground, and against the pass the team was even worse, allowing 245.0 ypg through the air including 22 touchdowns. One of the major reasons for the team's success was do to its ability to force the opposition into mistakes. On the season the Cyclones have collected 14 interceptions and have also recovered 16 fumbles, and that total is clearly one of the best in the nation. Unfortunately the Cyclones have been unable to put adequate pressure on opposing quarterbacks, recording just 14 sacks in 12 games. Clearly the lack of pressure is what has hurt the team's ability to defend the pass. There are some key performers of note on this side of the football, beginning with Jesse Smith, who racked up a team-high 128 tackles. Christopher Lyle has also brought a spark to the defense, and comes into this matchup with 11 TFLs and four sacks, both of which are team highs.