All Things Bowl Game Speculation

I Would Not Love to play Auburn or Alabama! Thats a very risky proposition, as a complete blowout would tarnish the Gophers nationwide. A win would definitely be a big plus, recruiting wise but how likely is that? Not very.
Bama would probably have several top guys like Juedy, Smith and Ruggs sit out. Brown at Auburn who is a top 10 pick I would think would sit out as well

Also have to think our motivation would be better.
 

The only possible way we could go to the Rose Bowl is if, for some reason, the Rose decides that it wants to invite Minnesota based on some combination of factors outside of just the rankings. Like, for example, if they thought having Minn in the game would sell more tickets, bring more people to town (hotels, restaurants, shows, etc.). The Big Ten would have to be OK with that.

I think it's just a bit too far to reach.
Based on the latest polls, with MN and PSU not in the conference championship game to lose and move down, PSU and MN *should* be within a spot or two in the rankings (likely in the 10-14 range). Depending how much WI moves after their drubbing by OSU will determine who goes to the Rose. I think if the Rose is determining between PSU and MN, they'll choose MN. I think MN will travel better, TV ratings will be better, and MN won the head-to-head, etc. If WI doesn't drop much from the OSU loss, then I think they're going and deservedly so. But I wouldn't be shocked to see a 55-7 drubbing for example to move WI to our cluster of rankings with PSU - at which I still think WI is the most likely, but I think our chances aren't as bad as people would think.
 


Why? You scared?

To me playing T-A&M or Tennessee is a huge downgrade. Bring on Auburn, Florida or Alabama, etc.

No one will pay attention to the game is we play A&M or Tennessee. Those teams are in the same class as Indiana and Illinois. Yuck.
Totally with you. Its like there are 2-3 teams people want to play. Either they are too good or not good enough. Lets play whomever is there. I would rather lose a close game to Florida on National TV then eek out a win against a 7-5 or 6-6 team.
 

We lost by 16 points...I'd say there was more than two plays. Missouri was a overall stronger team, IMO...
Those were key game changing plays. On sides resulted in a short field and FG for ZOU. It was 19-17 ZOU early in the 4th when Edwards let that perfectly thrown pass go right through his hands. He was behind his defender with no one between him and the end-zone. ZOU scored a TD on the following possession.
 


My opinions only:

MN isn't going to the Rose Bowl.
A win vs. a national brand like Auburn or Florida will help recruiting and ranking a ton.
A blowout loss wouldn't help...but it didn't kill Purdue's recruiting to get smoked by Auburn.
A win vs. a 7-5 team won't move the needle much. A loss will hurt badly.

I'd love to see Auburn in the Citrus, them being fresh off a win vs. Alabama. A win would totally legitimize Minnesota's season in the eyes of pundits and move them close to -- if not into -- the top 10. Awesome finish. A loss would suck, yes, but they'd still finish in the top 25. And failure is growth, after all :)
 

if it has to be an SEC school, for exposure, bring on Alabama. I changed my mind. The upside is very high, and they’ll have a bunch of players sitting it out.
 

Do the rankings punish a team that makes it to the Conference Championship Game and then loses to the number one team in the nation? That seems ridiculous to me. Every team that didn't make the championship should be credited with an extra loss so that the loser of the championship game is on equal footing with those who don't make it. I'm not making this argument on behalf of Wisconsin! I'd laugh if OSU whips them so bad they're relegated to The Motor City Bowl, but logically it doesn't work for me that teams who don't even play a championship game should surpass one who does.
 

Do the rankings punish a team that makes it to the Conference Championship Game and then loses to the number one team in the nation? That seems ridiculous to me. Every team that didn't make the championship should be credited with an extra loss so that the loser of the championship game is on equal footing with those who don't make it. I'm not making this argument on behalf of Wisconsin! I'd laugh if OSU whips them so bad they're relegated to The Motor City Bowl, but logically it doesn't work for me that teams who don't even play a championship game should surpass one who does.

If it is the Badgers it is OK to punish them in any way. Their fans are the most uniformly rude fans in the Big Ten and nobody likes them at all.
 



Probably missed it earlier in the thread but CFN has us in the Rose Bowl with a historic rematch with Oregon. I believe the series is tied 1-1. Agree unlikely but since we've been allowed to dream big for a couple of weeks...why not us?...why not now?

 

Do the rankings punish a team that makes it to the Conference Championship Game and then loses to the number one team in the nation? That seems ridiculous to me. Every team that didn't make the championship should be credited with an extra loss so that the loser of the championship game is on equal footing with those who don't make it. I'm not making this argument on behalf of Wisconsin! I'd laugh if OSU whips them so bad they're relegated to The Motor City Bowl, but logically it doesn't work for me that teams who don't even play a championship game should surpass one who does.
It’s the cost you pay for the opportunity to pull the upset.

If they allowed Wisc (or the Gophers, if we had won) to avoid the loss by forfeiting the game, do you think they should do that?
 

Would like to play Bamma without Tua. There players and fans would be so pissed playing Minnesota they would barely show up. Then we could beat them and shut up critics and still say Alabama has never beaten Minnesota. Playing battle hymn in front of those Alabama fans again would be epic.
 

big ten teams:
Ohio state beats Wisconsin > OSU cfp - Wisconsin 10-3
Wisconsin beats OSU > osu still goes to cfp, Wisconsin 11-2 rose bowl
penn state 10-2
minnesota 10-2
iowa 9-3
michigan 9-3
where do we drop in rankings? 12,14? Ahead of PSU?if Wisconsin loses big do they stay above us?(3 losses including ill. )
We have two losses two ranked teams
This is a silly Gopherhole argument. Yeah, in your scenario Wisconsin has 3 losses but 2 were from OSU. How did Minny do against OSU?
 



My opinions only:

MN isn't going to the Rose Bowl.
A win vs. a national brand like Auburn or Florida will help recruiting and ranking a ton.
A blowout loss wouldn't help...but it didn't kill Purdue's recruiting to get smoked by Auburn.
A win vs. a 7-5 team won't move the needle much. A loss will hurt badly.

I'd love to see Auburn in the Citrus, them being fresh off a win vs. Alabama. A win would totally legitimize Minnesota's season in the eyes of pundits and move them close to -- if not into -- the top 10. Awesome finish. A loss would suck, yes, but they'd still finish in the top 25. And failure is growth, after all :)

Amateur/uniformed opinion but I think the best scenario for us is either Florida, Auburn or Alabama in Citrus or Outback. Even if OSU annihilate the Badgers it will be hard to justify us going ahead of them to the Rose Bowl when they beat us so convincingly in the head to head. PSU may have a shot at the Rose Bowl though if they are perceived to have done better against OSU than the Badgers do (considering their game with us was on the road and it went down to the last minute of the game).

Personally, in terms of recruiting, whether we win or lose against a big SEC Programme I feel is less important than how Bateman plays. This kid is legitimate potential NFL superstar who chose Minnesota rather than closer SEC offers. If he plays well and is featured by the media, other southern high school kids (Georgia kids and/or Receivers in particular) will notice and may consider the Gophers; they can play for an inspirational coach, get a good degree, develop on and off the field, get early playing time and not lose out on the National spotlight (rather than sitting on a SEC bench for two seasons).
 

not so easy for early playing time with depth at wide receiver but those are good points!!
 

Would like to play Alabama in the Outback Bowl. Rose Bowl next year with the Jug, Pig, and Axe in tow.
 




Probably missed it earlier in the thread but CFN has us in the Rose Bowl with a historic rematch with Oregon. I believe the series is tied 1-1. Agree unlikely but since we've been allowed to dream big for a couple of weeks...why not us?...why not now?

This article was written before the Gophers shat the bed against Becky.
 

Sold out except for the ticket holdbacks for the participating teams, you mean, right?
Sure, but the schools are obligated to take those and can’t return them. My point was that “ticket sales” isn’t really a consideration for the Rose Bowl as it is sold out every year - and already is this year.
 

Would the Outback bowl be something that a lot of fans would be excited about? I have been to Tampa a few times for work and it doesn't do much for me, but I would love to be there for the game. Upside would be a lot of hotels and decent restaurants.
 

Interested to know the answer, would fans rather play a team like say Bama/Aub with the idea that it would be higher profile but also larger chance to take the L or would you rather play a team like Tenn that we seem likely to beat but its not as high of a profile win.

Always nice to say "2020 outback bowl champions, 11-2!" but also nice to play one of the big boys to really test yourself.

just thought of this as I saw a few projections that had us in the outback vs Tenn.
 

Would the Outback bowl be something that a lot of fans would be excited about? I have been to Tampa a few times for work and it doesn't do much for me, but I would love to be there for the game. Upside would be a lot of hotels and decent restaurants.
I guess it depends on what you want to do and how long you'll be there.

I'm thinking not a very long trip for me and the family.
 

Interested to know the answer, would fans rather play a team like say Bama/Aub with the idea that it would be higher profile but also larger chance to take the L or would you rather play a team like Tenn that we seem likely to beat but its not as high of a profile win.

Always nice to say "2020 outback bowl champions, 11-2!" but also nice to play one of the big boys to really test yourself.

just thought of this as I saw a few projections that had us in the outback vs Tenn.

I'd much rather face a Bama, Florida or Auburn than Tennessee. Much more opportunity to see where we are at and get more publicity.
 

Interested to know the answer, would fans rather play a team like say Bama/Aub with the idea that it would be higher profile but also larger chance to take the L or would you rather play a team like Tenn that we seem likely to beat but its not as high of a profile win.

Always nice to say "2020 outback bowl champions, 11-2!" but also nice to play one of the big boys to really test yourself.

just thought of this as I saw a few projections that had us in the outback vs Tenn.
To answer the question just above yours, I'm definitely still excited about the Outback Bowl...but I'm excited about literally EVERY bowl game the Gophers have ever played in! Football season is so short...giving me one more game around the holidays is just heaven. Gophers have never played in the fairly prestigious Outback Bowl and it quite honestly would've been a dream for me in so many seasons.

To answer your question, I personally want MN to play the best team they can, both for national exposure and recruiting. You lose to Auburn...well, everyone expected you to lose. You win...well, you're officially on the map. You beat 7-5 Tennessee...well, everyone expected you to win. You lose...well, you can't beat a barely .500 SEC team.
 

This is a silly Gopherhole argument. Yeah, in your scenario Wisconsin has 3 losses but 2 were from OSU. How did Minny do against OSU?
ILLINOIS wisky person...Lovie Took the badger down in the cruelest way possible. Does that game with Illinois ring a bell wisky#303?

Just as it has benefitted the badger so often, the Big Ten schedule maker saw fit to order the GOPHER to play the BT teams that he/she assigned the GOPHER to play in the order he/she scheduled them. Old Barry used to luck out once in a while wth the schedule maker too.

wisky#303: too bad you people got stuck having to play in Champaign in 2019 wasn’t it? That’s the way the cookie crumbles...maybe you would have had a chance against the fighting Illini in that campy place the badger calls home...
 
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Would the Outback bowl be something that a lot of fans would be excited about? I have been to Tampa a few times for work and it doesn't do much for me, but I would love to be there for the game. Upside would be a lot of hotels and decent restaurants.
If you want to go to a strip club or get your PC repaired, Tampa is perfect.
 

#18 ranking takes the 10% chance of Rose Bowl to less than .01% chance.
 





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