BTN: Texas Bowl Primer - 3 Reasons for Minnesota to be Optimistic/Worried

[BleedGopher]

per Dienhart:

THREE REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC

1. Minnesota can run. Any time a team can do that, it has a shot. In every one of the Gophers’ wins this season, they ran for more than 175 yards. In the four losses? Minnesota didn’t eclipse the 140-yard rushing mark. Get the picture? But running well may be difficult vs. a SU defense that’s No. 28 in the nation vs. the run.

2. Syracuse is mostly one-dimensional. And that one-dimension is running the ball. The staff let Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen get first crack at quarterback, but he struggled. Terrel Hunt took over, but he’s often more effective as a runner. The Gophers staff should be able to commit an extra man to stopping the run and star SU back Jerome Smith, daring the Orange to pass.

3. The Gophers take care of the ball. Minnesota is plus-three in the turnover department. This is a smart and disciplined team that won’t beat itself and rarely makes mental errors. That’s a credit to the staff.

THREE REASONS TO BE WORRIED

1. Minnesota lacks offensive balance. The Gophers have struggled to pass in 2013, ranking No. 118 in the FBS. If Syracuse is able to commit to stopping Minnesota’s ground, the Gophers offense could get stuck in the mud. Bottom line: If Philip Nelson throws more than 30 passes, the Gophers may be in trouble.

2. No momentum. The Gophers finished the season with consecutive losses, falling at home to Wisconsin and losing at Michigan State. The momentum of that 8-2 beginning may have dissipated. And this is a team that seemed to be fueled by emotion as much as any in the league, as Minnesota isn’t the most talented squad.

3. The offense is in a funk. Minnesota hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown in 10 quarters, last hitting pay dirt in the second quarter vs. Penn State on Nov. 9. The team’s lone TD since then came on defense vs. Wisconsin. Minnesota’s attack is No. 11 in the Big Ten overall (342.8 ypg). If the Gophers get behind, they could have issues mounting a comeback. Minnesota’s offense needs to taste the end zone early get some mojo.

http://btn.com/2013/12/11/texas-bowl-preview-minnesota-vs-syracuse/

Go Gophers!!

 

[GophersInIowa]

per Dienhart:

THREE REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC

1. Minnesota can run. Any time a team can do that, it has a shot. In every one of the Gophers’ wins this season, they ran for more than 175 yards. In the four losses? Minnesota didn’t eclipse the 140-yard rushing mark. Get the picture? But running well may be difficult vs. a SU defense that’s No. 28 in the nation vs. the run.

2. Syracuse is mostly one-dimensional. And that one-dimension is running the ball. The staff let Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen get first crack at quarterback, but he struggled. Terrel Hunt took over, but he’s often more effective as a runner. The Gophers staff should be able to commit an extra man to stopping the run and star SU back Jerome Smith, daring the Orange to pass.

3. The Gophers take care of the ball. Minnesota is plus-three in the turnover department. This is a smart and disciplined team that won’t beat itself and rarely makes mental errors. That’s a credit to the staff.

THREE REASONS TO BE WORRIED

1. Minnesota lacks offensive balance. The Gophers have struggled to pass in 2013, ranking No. 118 in the FBS. If Syracuse is able to commit to stopping Minnesota’s ground, the Gophers offense could get stuck in the mud. Bottom line: If Philip Nelson throws more than 30 passes, the Gophers may be in trouble.

2. No momentum. The Gophers finished the season with consecutive losses, falling at home to Wisconsin and losing at Michigan State. The momentum of that 8-2 beginning may have dissipated. And this is a team that seemed to be fueled by emotion as much as any in the league, as Minnesota isn’t the most talented squad.

3. The offense is in a funk. Minnesota hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown in 10 quarters, last hitting pay dirt in the second quarter vs. Penn State on Nov. 9. The team’s lone TD since then came on defense vs. Wisconsin. Minnesota’s attack is No. 11 in the Big Ten overall (342.8 ypg). If the Gophers get behind, they could have issues mounting a comeback. Minnesota’s offense needs to taste the end zone early get some mojo.

http://btn.com/2013/12/11/texas-bowl-preview-minnesota-vs-syracuse/

Go Gophers!!

I don't think I agree with that. Did we lose some momentum from losing the last two? Sure. But I don't think a lot of confidence was lost.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

The passing game. Was it really that bad?

Against Big Ten defenses that WEREN'T ranked in the Top 7 in the nation in Total Defense, Nelson was:

46-for-73 (63%). 748 yards (187 per game), 7 TDs and 0 INT

Even if you factor in Iowa in those totals;

58-for-87 (60%), 883 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INT

And that's not even factoring the weather considerations of the Wisky and MSU games. Let's face it, this Syracuse defense is NOT in the same class as MSU, Wisky, or even Iowa, all ranked in the top 7 in the nation. And the weather will be a far cry from the MSU and Wisky games.

I'd bet even money right now that Nelson throws for over 175 in this game, likely over 200.

 

[Nokomis]

I don't think I agree with that. Did we lose some momentum from losing the last two? Sure. But I don't think a lot of confidence was lost.

Well, he did have to pick 3 reasons for each, so...
Momentum is a state of mind. Running the ball, Cuse's balance, and turnovers are all tangibles on the field. I'm more optimistic than worried.

 

[WolfontheProwl]

This is one of those games that winning is only part of the game. Winning in an impressive way is important as well. Syracuse is not a very good football team. The Gophers really need to make a statement and win by at least ten or more points. Any win is great dont get me wrong but it would be nice to see a blow out win to make a statement for next year.

 

[ncgo4]

I feel very good about this game. Last year Limegrover executed a huge improvement in our offense and I hope this year's Xmas break will see the same thing again. None the less our offense really stunk up the field the last 2 1/2 games, so I will not venture to Vegas to get a wager down.

The only important thing we NEED out of this game is a victory which will positively affect recruiting momentum. Would be nice if we also gather some style points, but the critical thing is to avoid the dreaded "L".

 

[Iceland12]

The passing game. Was it really that bad?

Against Big Ten defenses that WEREN'T ranked in the Top 7 in the nation in Total Defense, Nelson was:

46-for-73 (63%). 748 yards (187 per game), 7 TDs and 0 INT

Even if you factor in Iowa in those totals;

58-for-87 (60%), 883 yards, 8 TDs, 2 INT

And that's not even factoring the weather considerations of the Wisky and MSU games. Let's face it, this Syracuse defense is NOT in the same class as MSU, Wisky, or even Iowa, all ranked in the top 7 in the nation. And the weather will be a far cry from the MSU and Wisky games.

I'd bet even money right now that Nelson throws for over 175 in this game, likely over 200.

You mean if you take out 37.5 of their games they don't look that bad? Using the "let's remove three games" theory, no take out TWO games, Indy and Penn State and the Passing Game was way worse than bad.

When the Running Game was really working, the passes they completed gained a lot of yards. The thing is they didn't complete many of them. Defenses that were either capable or smart forced them to throw. Sacks, bad decisions, drops and just plain missed receivers were the result to often for Gopher Fans.

Indiana - 10 of the 12 Opponents they faced got 5 Touchdowns PLUS against them. They Gophers were in that group. 17 Completions for 286 yards? A great performance by the Passing Game.

Penn State - Good game through the air. 15 completions went for 186 yards. Very nice performance that if duplicated could win on 12/27.

Nebraska - Here it's a little trickier. They got a 159 yards, but only completed 8 throws. Great yards per reception but not many receptions at all.

Northwestern - Only 9 completions for 123 yards. Hard to call that a good performance.

Maybe we should be glad that they're playing Syracuse rather than Georgia?

They need a great performance by the Running Game to minimize the number of times they have to throw the ball. Or in two weeks of practice, Nelson's arm has to get stronger, Mitch has to hold onto the ball and the both need to get rid of the ball quicker. Expect that by next year? Sure, they're both young, in good health and the Staff has a history of solid coaching in their favor. Now, over 2-3 weeks..?

If you're looking for a bet, bet on the Running Game. It could win the game and make the chances of a Passing Game like they had last year against T.T. or this year against Penn State or Nebraska possible.

 

[GopherinPhilly]

The opinion in the ACC and by anyone in CFB that cares is that Suckacuse is a very average team with a new coach and was VERY lucky to make a bowl game...thank the weakness of the ACC for that. I am confident that we will destroy the Oragina by 3 plus touchdowns and show them that David Cobb is the boss, not Tony Danza!

 

[GophersInIowa]

Well, he did have to pick 3 reasons for each, so...
Momentum is a state of mind. Running the ball, Cuse's balance, and turnovers are all tangibles on the field. I'm more optimistic than worried.

I just think "lost some momentum" would make more sense than "no momentum". We still won 4 of our last 6.

 

[Great Plains Gopher]

Don't agree about momentum, but it's a mistake to take Syracuse lightly. Both teams will be rested, reasonably healthy and eager to play. Could be a close game.