IMO, I don't think we get blown out and I dont think they are the second best team in the west. Iowa and Wisconsin are a cut above the rest right now.
One thing you said that I found peculiar was your comment that Minnesota should not attack our edges. If I'm game planning, and I have the ENORMOUS offensive line Minny has, I'm attacking the edges ALL day long. We don't have a player (maybe with the exception of Nelson) who could even attempt to set the edge against this team.
As for your fears about this game, I do agree, it's a scary one. But it is even scarier to me because of the unknown (i.e., health of JD, AM, where Mo's head at, etc). In the end, the weather will be the great equalizer for us. I can see this being another nailbiter.