A big concern for Maturi will be fan apathy

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Fan apathy is a much greater concern for a program and team than fan anger. Outside of a few boos at halftime and a scattering of them for the sparse crowd at the end of the game, I got the feeling from those around us and from listening to people after the game and talking to a number of Gopher fans that the anger isn't nearly at the level it was after the North Dakota State loss or Iowa loss two years ago. The crowd was disappointed and certainly some angry, but the majority looked, sounded and acted apathetic and that is a major concern for the leaders of our program...especially with the excitement for TCF Bank Stadium seemingly already over, and the thought of three BT games in season 3 at TCF Bank Stadium next year being more away fans than Gopher fans (Iowa, UW and Nebraska games next year) can't sit too well with Maturi.

A win next week would do more for Brew and this program than we could have imagined a few weeks ago.

I do fear some fan apathy setting in. I hope I'm wrong. I'd rather the majority of fans today be angry, but it just didn't feel that way.

Go Gophers!!
 

No one gives a crap anymore. And rightfully so. I didn't boo once. Just sat quietly shaking my head. Because it wasn't surprising. And it wasn't unexpected.
 

Fan apathy is not going to be Maturi's problem. It is going to be the problem for the AD that follows him.
 

The real scary part is that we have fan apathy, fan anger and reduced ticket sales in the second year of a brand new stadium.
 

There are fewer people posting here about it than last year. They didn't fill a one year old stadium for their home opener. USC will be full because people will want to see USC play. Northern Illinois and Northwestern will be interesting. If they can't sellout homecoming, there's a problem. OSU will sellout, PSU might not if they don't travel. Iowa could look like a home game and the goal posts could come down again, this time in the brand new stadium.

Apathy and a dead new stadium=lost revenue and should be a real concern for Maturi, the Regents, and even the non-revenue coaches who are relying on TCF to keep their lights on. They might have to open liquor sales to general public and run specials to make-up lost revenue.
 




Ewert86PC said:
Shall I reserve you a bed in the ICU over at Fairview University Hospital?
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I'm not suggesting the Gophers won't lose. I'm telling you as a simple fact that the goalposts will not come down. Not on my watch.
 

CDH27 said:
The real scary part is that we have fan apathy, fan anger and reduced ticket sales in the second year of a brand new stadium.
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It's not like this hasn't happened before. We can always go back to the Metrodome, er, Mall of America Field, right? Then it will be a new stadium again.... :eek:
 



Maroon said:
I'm not suggesting the Gophers won't lose. I'm telling you as a simple fact that the goalposts will not come down. Not on my watch.
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There might be more of them than you if the situation continues to unfold like it is. Stubhub will be grinning with sales for that game south of the border.
 

From my perspective the fan apathy is very similar to the sarcastic mocking of the Gophers from "fans" of the program. People are simply are looking for a defense mechanism, some way to avoid the pain/anger/etc that comes with yet another failed football season.

I don't think there will be more visiting fans than home team fans at TCF because the stadium is so small, but the split could be much closer than we ever imagined possible.
 


The sad thing is that apathy had set in BEFORE today's game. Empty seats everywhere today. There must have been about 38,000 people there.
 



Maturi could care less about fan apathy. He cares about unsold tickets.
 

The problem is that 2-10 is a reality now, with 3-9 a probability. If South Dakota puts up 42 how many do you think Michigan State is going to score, much less USC and Ohio State. The experts may have been correct about this team.
 

howeda7 said:
Don't you always say Maturi is the 'best' AD in 40 years?
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I have said it repeatedly and I still believe it. But that doesn't mean he is going to be AD for very much longer. The new U president will want to bring his or her own AD. Whoever it is will not be as good as Joel. Bet on it.
 

Going 2-10 implies another win. Northern Illinois is the Gophers best chance at another W but seems unlikely at this point. The defense was so bad that words fail me. My only question is why did USD try to run at all? That's a serious question, and one Northen Illinois, NW, PU, and Illinois are going to ask themselves. We will have a shot against Illinois, their rookie QB has yet to prove his accuracy but he can run, and as demonstrated today by a mediocre 1AA quarterback the Gophers have problems with a QB running the ball.

Nice kick coverage today but that's about the only bright spot. Five hour drive home and that's the only positive I could think of from this game. Oh yeah, the student section didn't leave early, hurray!
 

Mick Turition: I have said enough is enough... but to think that they won't win a game the rest of the year, I'd like in on that action... let's bet lunch... if they win a 2nd game, you buy. If they don't, I'll buy.
 

Doogie said:
Mick Turition: I have said enough is enough... but to think that they won't win a game the rest of the year, I'd like in on that action... let's bet lunch... if they win a 2nd game, you buy. If they don't, I'll buy.
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Doogie, enjoyed listening to the 1500 hundred after the game. The USD radio guy calling in to tell Gopher fans that he saw some bright spots in the Gophers today (and subsequently Phil's reaction) was just priceless. :clap:
 

Doogie said:
Mick Turition: I have said enough is enough... but to think that they won't win a game the rest of the year, I'd like in on that action... let's bet lunch... if they win a 2nd game, you buy. If they don't, I'll buy.
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If the defense doesn't get better, Doogie, you might be buying lunch. Today was like going back in time to 2007 from a defensive standpoint. Unless our offense can maintain a 30-minute TOP advantage like in the MTSU game, giving up 40 ppg might be a realistic outcome.

The terrifying part is our players were bigger, stronger and faster than USD's and still got torched. What's going to happen when we are equal to or overmatched by the opposing team's players?
 

sonnygarcia said:
Doogie, enjoyed listening to the 1500 hundred after the game. The USD radio guy calling in to tell Gopher fans that he saw some bright spots in the Gophers today (and subsequently Phil's reaction) was just priceless. :clap:
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Thanks!
 

MBAGuy said:
If the defense doesn't get better, Doogie, you might be buying lunch. Today was like going back in time to 2007 from a defensive standpoint. Unless our offense can maintain a 30-minute TOP advantage like in the MTSU game, giving up 40 ppg might be a realistic outcome.

The terrifying part is our players were bigger, stronger and faster than USD's and still got torched. What's going to happen when we are equal to or overmatched by the opposing team's players?
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I don't have much of a comeback... odd thing: they were well-prepared for the MTSU game, so what happened after? Not suggesting anymore that they will win 6 games... but will beat Northern Ill. and win at least one conference game -- Northwestern?
 

Well you've got me thinking. I'd say 60-40 Gophers get another win. NIll at home or Zook on the road. I'll take the bet, even if I lose I win.
 

faster?

our 'speedy' defensive backs were flat outclassed and out ran by those lumbering USD receivers................boycot the USC game to truly show fan anger..............boycot
 

idagopher said:
our 'speedy' defensive backs were flat outclassed and out ran by those lumbering USD receivers................boycot the USC game to truly show fan anger..............boycot
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Better yet. Show up. Don't buy concessions and leave when the score hits 35 -0 or the end of the first quarter, whichever comes first.
 

Doogie said:
Mick Turition: I have said enough is enough... but to think that they won't win a game the rest of the year, I'd like in on that action... let's bet lunch... if they win a 2nd game, you buy. If they don't, I'll buy.
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Seriously? You want to bet LUNCH on whether the Gophers win TWO games? We are truly screwed.
 

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