BTN's Tom Dienhart on Gophers: The effort at TCU was tough to watch

[BleedGopher]

per Dienhart:

7. Minnesota looks lost with a poor passing game. The effort at TCU was tough to watch. Mitch Leidner hit just 12-of-26 passes for 151 yards with no TDs and three interceptions before leaving the game in the fourth quarter after a hard tackle. The Gophers were able to manhandle their first two foes in Eastern Illinois and Middle Tennessee. But it couldn’t just line up and run over TCU. And Minnesota figures to have similar issues in Big Ten play unless the passing game evolves. - See more at: http://btn.com/2014/09/14/what-did-...en-in-week-3-heres-what/#sthash.VNPb7F2C.dpuf

http://btn.com/2014/09/14/what-did-tom-dienhart-learn-about-big-ten-in-week-3-heres-what/

Go Gophers!!

 

[BleedGopher]

Tom Dienhart's Week 3 Takeaways:

6. Minnesota’s need for a passing attack never was more apparent in a 30-7 loss at TCU. The Horned Frogs sat on Minnesota’s ground game, limiting it to 99 yards. Golden Gophers had 268 yards offense with 169 coming through the air. Unless this changes, it’s difficult to imagine Minnesota contending in the West.

GRADES

Illinois: F

Indiana: F

Iowa: D

Maryland: B-

Michigan: C

Minnesota: D

Nebraska: A

Ohio State: A

Penn State: B+

Purdue: C

Rutgers: B-

http://btn.com/2014/09/14/toms-take-week-3-big-ten-honors-grades-numbers-much-more/

Go Gophers!!

 

[NewBerlinBucky]

I wouldn't put too much credence in his evaluations. He's a lightweight among sports commentators and analysts.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I wouldn't put too much credence in his evaluations. He's a lightweight among sports commentators and analysts.

In general I agree with you but in this case he is not wrong. Just like last year if the passing game doesn't at least become credible we are really going to struggle against any team that has the ability to stop the run. And I would say even more then last year if I was scheming against us I would sell out even more to stop the run because there is nothing outside of the occasional pass to Maxx that would make me worried about the passing game. At this point I would feel very confident leaving my CB's on an island 1 on 1 and using the safeties in run support. Until we demonstrate any ability to make teams pay when the stack the box it isn't going to change.