September 29, 20197 yr I watched and listened. Surprised Purdue was able to make it competitive at the end... stopped watching by then. This passing game is the most explosive I've ever seen a gopher team. Morgan is also pretty darn good. He has great accuracy and doesn't throw into trouble. Now that Brooks and Smith are back, this is a dangerous offense. The defense concerns me. Talent at LB and DL look weak. In fact, outside of Winfield... this defense isn't very good. So far they've bent but not been broken. Won't get away with that against Iowa or Wisconsin (both overrated, but better than Purdue).
September 29, 20197 yr The schedule does get much tougher and the Gophers are very fortunate to be 4-0. As of right now, Minnesota will be underdogs at Iowa and at home to Wisconsin and Penn State and will be favored against Illinois and Rutgers, meaning that the swing games will be against Nebraska and Maryland at home and Northwestern on the road. Six to eight wins seems about right.
September 29, 20197 yr The schedule does get much tougher and the Gophers are very fortunate to be 4-0. As of right now, Minnesota will be underdogs at Iowa and at home to Wisconsin and Penn State and will be favored against Illinois and Rutgers, meaning that the swing games will be against Nebraska and Maryland at home and Northwestern on the road. Six to eight wins seems about right.I think an 8 win season would be palatable. The offense has talent to compete with anyone in the big ten, the defense not so much.
September 29, 20197 yr Fleck gained a lot of equity with me with their second half last year, so I'm still rowing the boat for now.But, I'm not encouraged by a 1 score win over an awful Purdue team.
September 30, 20197 yr I didn't watch the end, but my brother says the score is closer than the game was. Purdue scored, got an onside kick, and scored again.
September 30, 20197 yr I didn't watch the end, but my brother says the score is closer than the game was. Purdue scored, got an onside kick, and scored again.Sure, but it wasn't garbage time. It was a one score game with 4 minutes to play.
September 30, 20197 yr Yeah, the 99 yard drive is dumb. After the second score the gophers did drive 47 yards and chew up the rest of the clock. 38-17 in the fourth quarter is dominating pretty good. They haven't been in that position before.
October 6, 20197 yr Gophers won again today. Looked pretty solid for the most part. Morgan made some mistakes, but Illinois just couldn't match up. A few more wins and it'll be time to shut Penn State up.
October 7, 20197 yr Outside QB, this may be the most skill talent a Gopher team has had in at least a decade and potentially since Barber/Maroney/Tapeh/Ellerson/Uttecht/Spaeth in 2003. Three running backs who have 1,000+ yards career entering the season (2 that have posted 1,000+ yard seasons), two wide receivers with pro futures, and a tight end that is young with some definite upside. That's a very impressive stable. Now the defense just needs to do something/anything in order to potentially have an 8-9 win year.
October 9, 20197 yr Outside QB, this may be the most skill talent a Gopher team has had in at least a decade and potentially since Barber/Maroney/Tapeh/Ellerson/Uttecht/Spaeth in 2003. Three running backs who have 1,000+ yards career entering the season (2 that have posted 1,000+ yard seasons), two wide receivers with pro futures, and a tight end that is young with some definite upside. That's a very impressive stable. Now the defense just needs to do something/anything in order to potentially have an 8-9 win year.Totally agree and I think if there is a year, why not this year. They have a softer schedule, loads of talent on offense and some really talented seniors on defense. Plus what's not to like about Tanner Morgan? He is not flashy, but I believe his record now as a starter is 9-2 and they have won 7 straight. He is accurate and smart.Looking forward to a cool/cold Saturday night game under the lights!
October 9, 20197 yr Morgan has easily been the best QB since Asad... and he's probably better than Asad. You can argue Weber was better than Asad, but Weber never won anything. He is the first legit big ten qb since Weber, and has already beaten Wisconsin once. I like his poise, good decisions, ball placement, and aggressiveness. Hopefully he continues to get better and win big games.
October 9, 20197 yr Morgan has easily been the best QB since Asad... and he's probably better than Asad. You can argue Weber was better than Asad, but Weber never won anything. He is the first legit big ten qb since Weber, and has already beaten Wisconsin once. I like his poise, good decisions, ball placement, and aggressiveness. Hopefully he continues to get better and win big games.He may actually be the best QB in Minnesota sports! *Ducks*
October 10, 20197 yr He may actually be the best QB in Minnesota sports!*Ducks*Someone had to take the mantle when Mauer retired.
October 11, 20197 yr Someone had to take the mantle when Mauer retired.Mauer retired? Hadn't noticed.
October 11, 20197 yr There's times, it's like he never left. Indeed. And times it felt like he wasn't even here.
October 13, 20197 yr It's amazing how a viable passing attack can take them to the next level. This would have been a game they lose in the past. Instead they're getting better every week and blowing out Nebraska.
October 13, 20197 yr I'm so glad Nebraska is terrible. I doubt the program will ever get back to what they were. Such a joke they were ranked pre season. Gophers should be consensus top 25 next week.
October 14, 20197 yr It was funny at the end of last season the Gophers were getting some top 25 love, and then as the offseason progressed that diminished and Nebraska became the Big Ten west darling. I think a big part of it with college football is the fact that Nebraska sells 90k tickets for all of their football games and that will support a lot of media interest. Their fans that I interacted with at the game last night were all really nice though. They loved our stadium and city of course (wouldn't you if you visited from Nebraska!).I love how the defense and running game has really come together the past two weeks.And BTW a number 20 ranking in both the AP and Coaches poll.
October 14, 20197 yr Really nice Nebraska fans? You lucked out. I put Nebraska fans right up there with Wisconsin fans. Amazing to me how much more loyal the fan base is for both those programs.
October 19, 20197 yr Gophers win again. 4 time cancer survivor Casey O'Brien gets in the game. Hard not to appreciate these types of things that Fleck does. Gophers look poised to meet Penn State in a few weeks, for possibly the biggest game for the program in years.
October 20, 20197 yr Rashod Bateman is gonna play ball on Sundays. ...Ahem... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bceR0JpLgvk
October 26, 20197 yr Gophers start the game like they still have something to prove. I like it. Hope they win big.
October 26, 20197 yr Soo another route of a lower tier big ten team. Now 8-0 and hosting Penn State for a huge game next week. This will be the most meaningful game I've ever seen this program play. The close second is the epic 28 point fourth quarter collapse to Michigan in 2003. Have to give big props to PJ Fleck. This team looks better and better every week.
October 27, 20197 yr I have a few friends who are Penn Staters. I get a little bored with hearing/seeing their ‘WE ARE’ stuff, so I would just love to post ‘SKI-U-MAH” in response next week.
October 27, 20197 yr I have a few friends who are Penn Staters. I get a little bored with hearing/seeing their ‘WE ARE’ stuff, so I would just love to post ‘SKI-U-MAH” in response next week. Whenever they say "we are", you can always respond with "Ny-strom". Twenty years ago this year, and it's as big a game against Penn State as the U has ever won.
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