The difference in the last two weeks.

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Gopherchase said:
I’m not that interested in it to look it up, but I would guess that on the OL our last 20 recruits have had similar rankings as Iowa’s.
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In the past 5 cycles a quick look shows Iowa has had 50% more 4 star recruits and has averaged finishing 2-3 spots above the Gophers in recruiting rankings in the conference. Take is as you will, but I stand behind the statement that they are more talented.
 

I don't recall who it was who said it after the Ohio State game, but the exact same sentiment applies to the Iowa game:

burn the film.


Move on. Beat Mich St and Wisc at home. Try to win @ NW. Go to the Music City Bowl. Win it. 9-4
 


gopherbadgerman said:
In the past 5 cycles a quick look shows Iowa has had 50% more 4 star recruits and has averaged finishing 2-3 spots above the Gophers in recruiting rankings in the conference. Take is as you will, but I stand behind the statement that they are more talented.
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This data is far from perfect, but........
 

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caliGopher said:
I believe Fleck has a similar problem. When he turtles up for games, he doesn't think we can win; it creates doubt and confusion on the team (not just this year). For all his bluster, he is overly cautious more often than I think he needs to be with the team.
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So here you say the problem is turtling up?
Any evidence of this at all?
Now you’re saying he’s unprepared. That may be better diagnosed as evidenced by a lack of execution
 




caliGopher said:
Against Nebraska: PJ led teams are 6-1. Some close games recently, but a significant win streak. Team comes out inspired. We have a solid game plan. The players understand it. We beat Nebraska handily.

Against Iowa: PJ led teams are 1-7 versus Iowa. Games have generally been close, but Iowa came out in the 2nd half last year and embarrassed us after a rousing second quarter. Came into the game scared, and the team looks confused and unprepared. Playing not to lose from the opening kickoff. Iowa spared us the suspense of last year, and embarrassed us for a full game.

One of Mason's biggest faults was that the team reacted to his demeanor. If you go back to his more epic collapses (not all of them, but the Tech Games in particular), you can see him relax on the sideline. The team loses focus. They lose the game.

I believe Fleck has a similar problem. When he turtles up for games, he doesn't think we can win; it creates doubt and confusion on the team (not just this year). For all his bluster, he is overly cautious more often than I think he needs to be with the team.

Just looking for your thoughts as I try to reconcile the wildly different outlook of the team between Iowa and Nebraska and the varying degrees of success in between for teams still on the schedule.
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It's not complicated.

Against Nebraska, both Darius Taylor and Jalen Smith played.

Against Iowa, Darius played 3 snaps, and Jalen played 5. So that left the Gophers trying to run an offense with: (i) no running game; and (ii) no deep threat.

Defensively, I believe the Gophers have placed too much emphasis on defense-via-event-creation versus defense-via-thwarting-offensive-progress. Defense-via-event-creation emphasizes the defense affirmatively creating events -- sacks, fumbles, interceptions -- which will, in turn, halt the progress of an opposing offense. Defense-via-thwarting-offensive-progress emphasizes fundamentals, so that gaps are filled, tackles are made, and so on -- such that an opposing offense can't easily progress down the field.

Defense-via-event-creation is unstable. One week you get a pick 6 or 9 sacks. And one week you get nothing. And if you get nothing in the same week that DT and JS aren't playing so that your offense can't possess the ball and maybe score some points... well... good luck.
 


touchdownvikings said:
It's not complicated.

Against Nebraska, both Darius Taylor and Jalen Smith played.

Against Iowa, Darius played 3 snaps, and Jalen played 5. So that left the Gophers trying to run an offense with: (i) no running game; and (ii) no deep threat.

Defensively, I believe the Gophers have placed too much emphasis on defense-via-event-creation versus defense-via-thwarting-offensive-progress. Defense-via-event-creation emphasizes the defense affirmatively creating events -- sacks, fumbles, interceptions -- which will, in turn, halt the progress of an opposing offense. Defense-via-thwarting-offensive-progress emphasizes fundamentals, so that gaps are filled, tackles are made, and so on -- such that an opposing offense can't easily progress down the field.

Defense-via-event-creation is unstable. One week you get a pick 6 or 9 sacks. And one week you get nothing. And if you get nothing in the same week that DT and JS aren't playing so that your offense can't possess the ball and maybe score some points... well... good luck.
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True. But the defense also did what they always do, they gave stuff up early then adjusted and played decent the rest of the game.
The real issue is he needs better plans coming into games. He seems okay at adjusting regardless of style.

Iowa Didn’t have a drive of 25 yards or more the last 2.5 quarters. But the first 1.5 quarters was rough.
 

One more time. Our OL is unsuccessful because a) less talent and b) poor coaching. Combining the two, we get what we see. Not sure changing just one would make any difference. Sometimes superior coaching can take less talent and be successful. Happens so seldom.
 




Some guy said:
True. But the defense also did what they always do, they gave stuff up early then adjusted and played decent the rest of the game.
The real issue is he needs better plans coming into games. He seems okay at adjusting regardless of style.

Iowa Didn’t have a drive of 25 yards or more the last 2.5 quarters. But the first 1.5 quarters was rough.
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Kirk called off the dogs. They could have dropped 70 on us.
 

Gopherchase said:
Kirk called off the dogs. They could have dropped 70 on us.
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There were only 10 drives for Iowa. And the second one was a field goal.
So the most they could’ve scored even with the two returns was 81. But had they had more dives they would’ve burned more clock and there wouldn’t have been enough drives to score 70. In my opinion.
They went 3 and out in the second quarter.
They scored 17 points on their 5 first half drives. They were running the QB still in the second quarter.

They did stop running the QB in the third quarter.

So yes they could’ve scored more. But to credit the slowdown purely to the dogs being called off is mistaken.
 

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