BTN: Expect Minnesota to rush for, oh, 350 yards and ram-rod the Golden Flashes

[BleedGopher]

per BTN:

Kent State (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1) – noon ET, BTN/BTN2Go. Few schools opened 2015 with a more daunting 1-2 punch than the Golden Gophers, who fell at home to then-No. 2 TCU and then won in overtime at Colorado State. Now, Kent State visits. And, thank god for Kent State, which already has played (and gotten hammered) by a Big Ten team this season in falling 52-3 at Illinois in the opener. Expect Minnesota to rush for, oh, 350 yards and ram-rod the Golden Flashes. Enjoy this one, Minnesota fans! None of you will be complaining about Mitch Leidner after this one.

http://btn.com/2015/09/16/week-3-big-ten-previews-rutgers-penn-state-open-big-ten-slate/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Rescooter]

per BTN:

Kent State (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1) – noon ET, BTN/BTN2Go. Few schools opened 2015 with a more daunting 1-2 punch than the Golden Gophers, who fell at home to then-No. 2 TCU and then won in overtime at Colorado State. Now, Kent State visits. And, thank god for Kent State, which already has played (and gotten hammered) by a Big Ten team this season in falling 52-3 at Illinois in the opener. Expect Minnesota to rush for, oh, 350 yards and ram-rod the Golden Flashes. Enjoy this one, Minnesota fans! None of you will be complaining about Mitch Leidner after this one.

http://btn.com/2015/09/16/week-3-big-ten-previews-rutgers-penn-state-open-big-ten-slate/

Go Gophers!!

My guess is we'll see another resurrection of the "Mitch Leidner is not a B1G QB" thread complaining about the Passing Touchdown/Rushing Touchdown Ratio (or something like that). Ha!

 

[Gopher07]

Would be good to see, and calm some of my nerves about the offense. The passing game is what it is, but can be offset (as we saw last yaer) by a good running game - the problem IMO is that our running game hasn't really got going so far this year. Smith has been good, but hasn't shown (or hasn't been given) the "every down" role that Cobb had last year, and the offensive line hasn't blocked well enough for him and others that we can reasonably expect to get 3 yards every time (like I felt we could last year).

Hope we get in good reps against Kent State (although it's tough to tell if their run defense is good or not - they did only give up 3.7 ypc against Illinois, but the Illini didn't run the ball all that much, and only averaged 3.7 ypc in their next game against Western Illinois).

 

[scools12]

My guess is if Leidner plays well against Kent St we will see a lot of "told you so" posts. None of which will have taken the level of competition under consideration.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

I hate to say it, but this game reminds me of NMSU when the Gophers played them here. I recall all the talk about how bad they were. We know how that one turned out.

 

[Gopher07]

I hate to say it, but this game reminds me of NMSU when the Gophers played them here. I recall all the talk about how bad they were. We know how that one turned out.

That's more the Ohio game for me. Bobcats will be tougher than a lot of folks think, they just went out last weekend and beat Marshall 21-10 (who beat Purdue in week 1). Gophers are a lot better now than they were in 2011 (we lost 58-0 to Michigan and by 13 to NDSU that year ... shudder). Plus it was hot that day (2nd hottest game in TCF history) and Kill had a seizure on the sidelines. They should be able to bring their "C" game and get out of TCF with a 15-20 point victory on Saturday.

Of course, watch the Gophers bring their "F" game and me sweat it out now that I say that ...

 

[Vandy]

Hopefully that prediction rings true the the offense has ample opportunity to work the kinks out and, NO MORE offensive line injuries....

 

[killme]

per BTN:

Kent State (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1) – noon ET, BTN/BTN2Go. Few schools opened 2015 with a more daunting 1-2 punch than the Golden Gophers, who fell at home to then-No. 2 TCU and then won in overtime at Colorado State. Now, Kent State visits. And, thank god for Kent State, which already has played (and gotten hammered) by a Big Ten team this season in falling 52-3 at Illinois in the opener. Expect Minnesota to rush for, oh, 350 yards and ram-rod the Golden Flashes. Enjoy this one, Minnesota fans! None of you will be complaining about Mitch Leidner after this one.

http://btn.com/2015/09/16/week-3-big-ten-previews-rutgers-penn-state-open-big-ten-slate/

Go Gophers!!

Shouldn't that be "no school"? Does our rushing total in this game have anything to do with OL play? Anyone at BTR looked at the latest injury report? I think we'll hit some runs, for sure, but I wonder if Gentry's collegiate debut is the headline.

 

[Section2]

I would hope and expect that we will pass a lot more against Kent than we did against past cupcakes. Unless the running game is unstoppable, I imagine we have seen and will continue to see a more balanced offense, and this is a rare opp on the schedule to work out the kinks.

 

[Nokomis]

Kent St could not have come at a better time. Get that OL healthy!

 

[Nokomis]

I would hope and expect that we will pass a lot more against Kent than we did against past cupcakes. Unless the running game is unstoppable, I imagine we have seen and will continue to see a more balanced offense, and this is a rare opp on the schedule to work out the kinks.

Disagree somewhat. Kill has demonstrated he won't risk injury to "work out kinks". Passing game has more exposure for injury. Anecdotaly, I recall more passing in games like Nebraska that against cupcakes.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I would hope and expect that we will pass a lot more against Kent than we did against past cupcakes. Unless the running game is unstoppable, I imagine we have seen and will continue to see a more balanced offense, and this is a rare opp on the schedule to work out the kinks.

I'm not sure what to expect. I could see them running a lot too because the running game to this point has been inconsistent. Running the ball is still our bread and butter so could see Kill wanting to work on that.

 

[Taji34]

I think we'll pass roughly the same amount, maybe a smidge more, than the past two games, but the red shirt and freshman receivers will get more looks.

 

[Spoofin]

My guess is if Leidner plays well against Kent St we will see a lot of "told you so" posts. None of which will have taken the level of competition under consideration.

Similar to how a lot of the "Leidner is terrible" posters didn't consider other factors (opponent, OL, etc.)?

Truth is you are right tho. It is crazy how many people form conclusions based on one or just a couple of games. There will be some folks that want him benched now that will be totally on board with him after this game, and hate him again later in the year.

 

[Ole]

I hate to read this type of stuff.
I haven't watched any Kent St games, but I'd imagine they are not a great team.
Nonetheless the expectation should be a comfortable win, not an epic beatdown.
Until I see the same 5 OL start and finish a few games I'm not going to expect 350 yards rushing unless we break a few big gainers that pump up the stats.
I also think the staff would be wise to get the freshmen receivers and deep backup TE's some easy touches, and maybe even get the backup running backs involved so Rodney and Roderick stay healthy.

 

[60's Guy]

I'd be surprised

I think we'll pass roughly the same amount, maybe a smidge more, than the past two games, but the red shirt and freshman receivers will get more looks.

I understand the thought we need to work on our passing game but I'll be very surprised if we pass 40 or more times this weekend....even 30 or more times. What we need to fix the most is our running game. I would think we'd be boringly relentless in establishing the run game aspect. We have been passing because we can't run like we'd like or we are behind. Hopefully, neither of those is in play this weekend.

The key question to me is if a third quarterback plays any meaningful snaps and who that is....and if they get to pass or just hand off?

 

[scools12]

Similar to how a lot of the "Leidner is terrible" posters didn't consider other factors (opponent, OL, etc.)?

Truth is you are right tho. It is crazy how many people form conclusions based on one or just a couple of games. There will be some folks that want him benched now that will be totally on board with him after this game, and hate him again later in the year.

You are correct on that.

 

[Nokomis]

I think we'll pass roughly the same amount, maybe a smidge more, than the past two games, but the red shirt and freshman receivers will get more looks.

Don't bet on it. Last year against against the weaker non-con teams, we didn't pass much at all. Against SJSU, after the loss to TCU, I think we attempted less than 10 passes all game. Kill's M.O. at MN has been to win the game running as few plays as possible. Don't be surprised, or discouraged, if you don't see a lot of flash against Kent St.

 

[husker70]

I would hope and expect that we will pass a lot more against Kent than we did against past cupcakes. Unless the running game is unstoppable, I imagine we have seen and will continue to see a more balanced offense, and this is a rare opp on the schedule to work out the kinks.

You are calling for more than 45 attempts? The offensive line is in flux. The protection is suspect and the answer is more passing attempts? Maybe 55? Balancing this offense is more attempts for Rodney Smith. Possibly more two back sets. The offense is out of balance right now because we are attempting to find a passing game. But anything more that 20 attempts is counterproductive.

 

[Section2]

You are calling for more than 45 attempts? The offensive line is in flux. The protection is suspect and the answer is more passing attempts? Maybe 55? Balancing this offense is more attempts for Rodney Smith. Possibly more two back sets. The offense is out of balance right now because we are attempting to find a passing game. But anything more that 20 attempts is counterproductive.

I don't know how you got 45 attempts out of my post. I said pass more than against past cupcakes.

In non con last year Mitch threw:
11 times against MTSU
17 times against E Ill
Strevey threw 7 times against SJSU

edit: I don't consider CSU and TCU to be cupcakes, so I was I thought obviously referring to previous seasons.

 

[gopher7]

I understand the thought we need to work on our passing game but I'll be very surprised if we pass 40 or more times this weekend....even 30 or more times. What we need to fix the most is our running game. I would think we'd be boringly relentless in establishing the run game aspect. We have been passing because we can't run like we'd like or we are behind. Hopefully, neither of those is in play this weekend.

The key question to me is if a third quarterback plays any meaningful snaps and who that is....and if they get to pass or just hand off?

I will be ok if we start the game off running, but we get an early lead I hope we don't just keep riding that. We really need work on our passing game too.

I will be shocked if any QB besides Leidner throws a pass this year. The exception are injury, or if Kill is currently setting up Streveler to throw as a trick play by running him 20 times in a row first.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

It is crazy how many people form conclusions based on one or just a couple of games.

No kidding! That's why I included the spring game before reaching all my conclusions for 2015.

 

[jaymil]

52-3 looks ugly but Illinois actually only had 342 total yards and only 3.7 yards per rush. With our injuries up front I'd be surprised if we just steam roll them all game and rack up 350 yards on the ground, which is fine. Just win and stay healthy this week.

 

[die hard gopher]

Gophers should be able to rush for 300+ yards even without two starting O-lineman IMO.

 

[Killthefuture]

I think that we see 4 running backs who are just going to wear down the Kent State D. 300 plus yards rushing is possible with a few long runs (Berkley finally or any of the 4) add in play action so that Mitch has time to throw and we maybe see 500 yards of total offense. Is this really going to happen? I will watch the game and hopefully my maroon and gold glasses let me see the true future.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I hate to say it, but this game reminds me of NMSU when the Gophers played them here. I recall all the talk about how bad they were. We know how that one turned out.

We were one of the worst division 1 teams in the country that year.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I think we'll pass roughly the same amount, maybe a smidge more, than the past two games, but the red shirt and freshman receivers will get more looks.

I highly doubt we pass the ball 45 times on Saturday. It expect it to be around 20.

 

[RolGnav]

This coaching staff likes to play it safe... so I'm pretty sure we won't see much passing if the running game is enough to win. I don't mind, I want to see Smith with a 200 yard game. He deserves some national attention.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

per BTN:

Kent State (1-1) at Minnesota (1-1) – noon ET, BTN/BTN2Go. Few schools opened 2015 with a more daunting 1-2 punch than the Golden Gophers, who fell at home to then-No. 2 TCU and then won in overtime at Colorado State. Now, Kent State visits. And, thank god for Kent State, which already has played (and gotten hammered) by a Big Ten team this season in falling 52-3 at Illinois in the opener. Expect Minnesota to rush for, oh, 350 yards and ram-rod the Golden Flashes. Enjoy this one, Minnesota fans! None of you will be complaining about Mitch Leidner after this one.

http://btn.com/2015/09/16/week-3-big-ten-previews-rutgers-penn-state-open-big-ten-slate/

Go Gophers!!

Dienhart really doesn't know the typical GH poster very well.