Big Ten: Week 1

[The 12th Man]

Let's talk college football. After week one, how would people fill in the blanks? No qualifiers necessary, but certainly welcomed. Here are mine.


Most Impressive Team: Michigan. That offense will be tough to stop.

Most Disappointing Team: Illinois. Zook is done after this year unless they turn it around.

Team That Makes Gopher Fans Nervous: Ohio State. Just plain good.

Team with Questions Still to Answer: Minnesota. Good start, but can we run against the big boys?

Ultra-Bold Week 1 Prediction for Big Ten Champ: Ohio State. Again, they are really solid. Going to take a lot for anyone to catch them this year. But, that's why they play the games.

 

[Schnoodler]

I don't think the question is can we run against the big boys, I think the question is can we keep the drives alive via the pass when we need to. If we get three first downs via the run and then get stuck in a 3rd and five and can't get the first down??? That's what I worry about. But yes, we probably are the team with the most unanswered questions.

I'm not sure Ohio State makes me nervous. We're not at their level. It's those teams roughly on our plane that we need to beat that make me nervous like Northwestern, Purdue and Michigan State. I'll pick Northwestern.

I think I can go with Michigan for the week. For being the most impressive, but really that's due more to lack of alternatives. Who else played anybody worthy? But Michigans question really isn't their O, it's their D, did they really show us anything?

Ohio State of couse would have to be the favorite to win the conference, but every team is tougher than ever so it would be quite easy for a trip up.

I'm going to disagree about Illinois. Since we're talking about week one, I wouldn't have expected a better outcome for them. Purdue on the other hand I think maybe should have done a little better.

 

[KD6-3.7]

Let's talk college football. After week one, how would people fill in the blanks? No qualifiers necessary, but certainly welcomed. Here are mine.


Most Impressive Team: Michigan. That offense will be tough to stop.

Most Disappointing Team: Illinois. Zook is done after this year unless they turn it around.

Team That Makes Gopher Fans Nervous: Ohio State. Just plain good.

Team with Questions Still to Answer: Minnesota. Good start, but can we run against the big boys?

Ultra-Bold Week 1 Prediction for Big Ten Champ: Ohio State. Again, they are really solid. Going to take a lot for anyone to catch them this year. But, that's why they play the games.

I always make sure to read any posts by 12th man, you really seem to know your football. That said, I agree with Schnoodler about Ohio State. as long as the gophers can look competitive then whatever happens in that game is less relevant than say the Wisconsin game. How did they look, by the way.

Purdue and marve look bad, but maybe notre dame is just good.

 

[stevedave23]

Personally I think people are reading waaaaaaaaaaay too much into Michigan's game. First of all, it's one game. Second of all, it's UConn. I know UConn is supposed to be decent but ESPN was wetting their pants yesterday over Michigan. Let's give it another week or two to see if they can maintain.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

I'll go with Whisky beating UNLV on the road by 20, but I might be a little biased.


I also thought MN lookked ok - beating a decent team on the road is never a bad thing.

 

[spermophilus]

Wisky Was Very Impressive

That score was in no way reflective of the play. They dominated the Rebs.

I will stipulate that UNLV is no threat right now (new coaching staff/scheme), but that was men vs. boys.

It will be interesting to see Sconnie go up against the Big Ten teams in 3 weeks, where the size and speed advantage will be neutralized.

 

[The 12th Man]

I always make sure to read any posts by 12th man, you really seem to know your football. That said, I agree with Schnoodler about Ohio State. as long as the gophers can look competitive then whatever happens in that game is less relevant than say the Wisconsin game. How did they look, by the way.

Purdue and marve look bad, but maybe notre dame is just good.

Thanks for the love. I try to keep my posts focused on the game itself and not on "this guy sucks/this guy is great," but it is fun to get people's overall impressions after week 1.

Schnoodler and I are basically arguing semantics, as I think our ability to run with the big boys will be determined by our ability to effectively use play action and get defenders out of the box. My guess is that he and I agree on this point.

I might be in the minority on this, but I really think the Gophers have the talent to win every game. DOn't get me wrong- I don't think they will, I just think there is more pure talent there than any year in recent memory. That is why Ohio State worries me. The pessimist in me is wondering what issue will cause us to lose that game.

 

[diefirma]

Not quite Ohio State yet.

I might be in the minority on this, but I really think the Gophers have the talent to win every game. DOn't get me wrong- I don't think they will, I just think there is more pure talent there than any year in recent memory. That is why Ohio State worries me. The pessimist in me is wondering what issue will cause us to lose that game.

I agree about the talent except for Ohio State. I think their talent is just a notch above other teams in the Big Ten. I do think that we are equal or better than Whisky or Iowa however. Not saying we win, but the talent level is roughly equal. In two or three years I would expect to compete on their level and win our fair share.

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

I do think that we are equal or better than Whisky or Iowa however. Not saying we win, but the talent level is roughly equal.

This might be in the running for 'Preposterous Statement of the Year'.

We're not light years behind them in talent, but to say we're on par or better with them is ludicrous.

Wisconsin's O-line and RBs (Clay at least) are top 10 in the Nation.

Iowa's defensive front is right up there as well.

We don't have any units that even compare to these currently. Not saying ours can't develop, but right now - its not even close.

 

[The 12th Man]

This might be in the running for 'Preposterous Statement of the Year'.

We're not light years behind them in talent, but to say we're on par or better with them is ludicrous.

Wisconsin's O-line and RBs (Clay at least) are top 10 in the Nation.

Iowa's defensive front is right up there as well.

We don't have any units that even compare to these currently. Not saying ours can't develop, but right now - its not even close.

In his defense, I don't think he is talking about ability level, just talent. Wisconsin and Iowa are battle-tested and should be expected to perform at a level above us. They have more ability than we do because they have talent and experience. That being said, I do not think there is much of a gap in talent.

Reading into your post a bit, I think you agree, and I agree with your statement. We can develop, and I was excited by what I saw in the first game. It is not a finished product by any means, but it was a positive step in the right direction. I also agree that the unit as a whole is not on par with Wisconsin or Iowa- yet. My maroon-colored glasses might be getting in the way, but those are definitely winnable games. I look forward to entering a season where those are games we SHOULD win! Hopefully it comes soon...

 

[PapaHawk21]

I agree about the talent except for Ohio State. I think their talent is just a notch above other teams in the Big Ten. I do think that we are equal or better than Whisky or Iowa however. Not saying we win, but the talent level is roughly equal. In two or three years I would expect to compete on their level and win our fair share.

Unit by Unit Breakdown in order from best to worst

QB- Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota

RB- Wisconsin Iowa, Minnesota

WR- Wisconsin/Iowa, Minnesota

TE- Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota

OL- Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa

DL- Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota

LB- Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota

DB/S- Iowa, Wisconsin/Minnesota

Overall Special Teams- Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Minnesota matches up poorly in most areas with Iowa and Wisconsin.

 

[year of the gopher]

Unit by Unit Breakdown in order from best to worst

QB- Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota

RB- Wisconsin Iowa, Minnesota

WR- Wisconsin/Iowa, Minnesota

TE- Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota

OL- Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa

DL- Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota

LB- Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota

DB/S- Iowa, Wisconsin/Minnesota

Overall Special Teams- Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

Minnesota matches up poorly in most areas with Iowa and Wisconsin.

Thanks for the analysis informed by exactly one week of play. Nobody was arguing whose units are best anyway. The discussion has been framed around "talent" (aka potential).