CBS: Post-spring Top 25 (Gophers part of group "Just outside the velvet rope")

[die hard gopher]

Unless the offensive coordinator makes some massive changes in his offensive philosophy, it is entirely possible that it will not matter so very much which quarterback is starting or is playing. Much depends on the offensive line. Much depends on the development of the receiving corps. Much depends on how often the quarterbacks will have their numbers called as the ball carrier. Much depends on the ability of the quarterbacks to stay healthy.

This is going to be a continuation of the: "...gotta get physical..." campaign that we witnessed during the 2013 Conference Campaign, I would guess. The offense has quite a way to go in that regard.

Come on offensive line! Get it done.

The key games to watch, in my estimation, are the game at Michigan, the match-ups with iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska and wisky. Not only do these games make up 5/8ths of the Conference schedule, but they are the teams the Gophers have to overtake in their ability to play physical football.

These battles will be won...and lost on the line of scrimmage. Is the offensive line of my Golden Gopher Football Team ready to dominate Michigan, iowa, Nebraska, the Ohio State and wisky?

I really do believe it is as basic as that. Until the offensive line can start "owning and dominationg" and dictating the outcome in the games with at least three of those teams, the Gophers will do very well to win a bowl invitation. At that point in time, when the offensive line can start dominating, it won't matter too much just who lines up behind the center or in a "gun" formation.

Good luck to ALL the quarterbacks on my Golden Gopher Football Team. And..."give 'em hell offensive line!

And they will with 6-9 225 pound Pirsig, 6-5 326 pound Campion, 6-2 323 pound Epping and 6-7 315 pound Lauer. Nobody else has great size looking at the roster from last year with Tommy Olson only being 301 and Bak is only listed at 303. Christensen and Bush aren't listed at elite size either but those were all from last fall. Hopefully that fifth guy is up to at least 310 and then i would be ecstatic. Add 6-10 260 pound Wozniak and then of course Maxx, Goodger and Plsek we absolutely will dominate the trenches.

 

[imthewalrus]

And they will with 6-9 225 pound Pirsig, 6-5 326 pound Campion, 6-2 323 pound Epping and 6-7 315 pound Lauer. Nobody else has great size looking at the roster from last year with Tommy Olson only being 301 and Bak is only listed at 303. Christensen and Bush aren't listed at elite size either but those were all from last fall. Hopefully that fifth guy is up to at least 310 and then i would be ecstatic. Add 6-10 260 pound Wozniak and then of course Maxx, Goodger and Plsek we absolutely will dominate the trenches.

Will you promise complete domination by our offensive line? Will you guarantee it? I certainly do hope you are right. However, I will have to see it happen before I will try to "take it to the bank..." I will be at the bank every Saturday that my Gophers play at home to witness exactly what will happen there exactly as it does happen. And, I will keep track of the number of conference wins vs. the number of conference losses.

If and when that will happen, the passing offense will work better as well as the rushing offense. But, I really am not more confident that my Gophers will be physical enough to take all of those five teams down...to take them out...and to physically beat them just based upon your statement that the Gophers "...absolutely will dominate the trenches..." I sure do hope so, but, I am leaning toward adding Northwestern to the list of teams my Gophers need to physically dominate to defeat. I fear that the team from Evanston will most likely do quite a lot better as a team in conference play in 2014 than they did in 2013.

You can add the pounds of the offensive linemen and the tight ends up all you wish, but that does NOT guarantee the kind of physicality that it will take to win at least 3 from that list of now six Conference teams that can really present challenges for my Golden Gopher Football Team in conference play in 2014. I HOPE for the best and will wait to see the actual results.

Until then, I won't spend time worrying about who will be standing when the quarterback battle starts happening in September, October and November of 2014. I'll just root for which ever one of the quarterback is playing during the course of each game.
No matter what else may happen: beat the stinking badger.

 

[die hard gopher]

Will you promise complete domination by our offensive line? Will you guarantee it? I certainly do hope you are right. However, I will have to see it happen before I will try to "take it to the bank..." I will be at the bank every Saturday that my Gophers play at home to witness exactly what will happen there exactly as it does happen. And, I will keep track of the number of conference wins vs. the number of conference losses.

If and when that will happen, the passing offense will work better as well as the rushing offense. But, I really am not more confident that my Gophers will be physical enough to take all of those five teams down...to take them out...and to physically beat them just based upon your statement that the Gophers "...absolutely will dominate the trenches..." I sure do hope so, but, I am leaning toward adding Northwestern to the list of teams my Gophers need to physically dominate to defeat. I fear that the team from Evanston will most likely do quite a lot better as a team in conference play in 2014 than they did in 2013.

You can add the pounds of the offensive linemen and the tight ends up all you wish, but that does NOT guarantee the kind of physicality that it will take to win at least 3 from that list of now six Conference teams that can really present challenges for my Golden Gopher Football Team in conference play in 2014. I HOPE for the best and will wait to see the actual results.

Until then, I won't spend time worrying about who will be standing when the quarterback battle starts happening in September, October and November of 2014. I'll just root for which ever one of the quarterback is playing during the course of each game.
No matter what else may happen: beat the stinking badger.

We already did have complete domination for almost half of our games this past year.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

We already did have complete domination for almost half of our games this past year.

Which half? Our running game was improved last season compared to what we saw in Coach Kills first two seasons. But using the word "domination" is a bit of a stretch, especially when i comes to the BIG. Our RB's averaged 4.2 and take away the IU game, we were at 3.9.

Cobb was our only effective RB and there were games when he struggled. IU was the only BIG game when the RB's managed over 4.8 yard a carry. Kirkwood did very little.

You may not remember the days of Maroney, Barber, Tapeh, Pinnix, Hamner, etc. We have a huge way to go to even come close to that type of domination.

I think we will see an improved OL this Fall but I don't see the talent where we will dominate the majority of the BIG opponents.

Strong D and running game are the formula to winning big and often in the BIG and we have a ways to go in both areas. IMO, Leidner doesn't have the goods to win games with his arm and legs.

 

[die hard gopher]

Which half? Our running game was improved last season compared to what we saw in Coach Kills first two seasons. But using the word "domination" is a bit of a stretch, especially when i comes to the BIG. Our RB's averaged 4.2 and take away the IU game, we were at 3.9.

Cobb was our only effective RB and there were games when he struggled. IU was the only BIG game when the RB's managed over 4.8 yard a carry. Kirkwood did very little.

You may not remember the days of Maroney, Barber, Tapeh, Pinnix, Hamner, etc. We have a huge way to go to even come close to that type of domination.

I think we will see an improved OL this Fall but I don't see the talent where we will dominate the majority of the BIG opponents.

Strong D and running game are the formula to winning big and often in the BIG and we have a ways to go in both areas. IMO, Leidner doesn't have the goods to win games with his arm and legs.

The 4 non conference games and Nebraska as well. Northwestern and Indiana went very good as well.

 

[imthewalrus]

We already did have complete domination for almost half of our games this past year.

Now, which teams was that against? PSU, Northwestern, Indiana, and Nebraska? Yes, our OL seemed to do pretty well against them in 2013. That was very encouraging. What was not encouraging was the offensive line play against Michigan, Michigan State, iowa and wisky. And what the heck happened to the offensive line against Syracuse?

As I stated: my first barometer for how much the offensive line has improved will happen in the BIG HOUSE in Ann arbor. iowa and the Ohio State University will be the next huge tests. The Cornhuskers in Lincoln will test our offensive line...and...in the camp in Madison we will find out just how "for real" our offensive line is.

Sorry, I've been watching my Golden Gophers for a very long time. I ALWAYS hope for the best, but, will believe ONLY what my eyes see and the final score on the scoreboard says. I don't know if the offensive line can progress enough from one season to the next to withstand that run, mostly in November that will find my Gophers taking on iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska and wisky in four successive games on four successive Saturdays and physically dominate those teams. One can only dream that could happen. I hope it does. But I will have to see it happen to believe it will be done in the 2014 season.

The FIRST test of the season will be in Ann Arbor. The first home test of the season will occur after the bye that follows Michigan and brings Northwestern into TCF BANK STADIUM. I believe NU should provide an interesting challenge for my Gophers. I hope the Maroon & Gold can repeat their effort from the 2013 game that was played in Evanston.

Conference play is NOT made up of very many "easy wins..." It is pretty tough to completely dominate conference teams. Some may even question whether my Gophers completely dominated the four Conference teams they defeated last season.

And, that Syracuse effort by the offensive line was really very discouraging, all things considered.

But, each season is a new season! That is a very good thing.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

The 4 non conference games and Nebraska as well. Northwestern and Indiana went very good as well.

Hardly a surprise and expected against the likes UNLV, NMS, and SJS as they were the #107, #123 and #102 ranked teams defending the run. Arizona rushed for 397 against UNLV. W. Illinois had a better rushing D than the others. Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and MSU are the benchmarks and were a very tough go for our guys.

The Nebraska game was one of the best game performances for our O under Coach Kill.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Which half? Our running game was improved last season compared to what we saw in Coach Kills first two seasons. But using the word "domination" is a bit of a stretch, especially when i comes to the BIG. Our RB's averaged 4.2 and take away the IU game, we were at 3.9.

Cobb was our only effective RB and there were games when he struggled. IU was the only BIG game when the RB's managed over 4.8 yard a carry. Kirkwood did very little.

You may not remember the days of Maroney, Barber, Tapeh, Pinnix, Hamner, etc. We have a huge way to go to even come close to that type of domination.

I think we will see an improved OL this Fall but I don't see the talent where we will dominate the majority of the BIG opponents.

Strong D and running game are the formula to winning big and often in the BIG and we have a ways to go in both areas. IMO, Leidner doesn't have the goods to win games with his arm and legs.

Our running game was/is hamstrung by the passing game. This can only get better. If it's worse lord help us.

Furthermore, we had pathetic offensive line play in the non-con. Without defensive plays and special teams heroics we would have lost a couple of those. I'm certain they got their asses kicked by kill and co and shaped up considerably as the season wore on before suffering from some injuries.

I'm a cobb fan. He can hit 1500 easy. But, with the freshmen coming in we will see how they split the carries.

Random thoughts, Conner Mayes has future NFL player written all over him. Im worried about Pirsig's ability to handle speed rushers at this time. I predict this will improve and I'm excited to see him develop. Part of this is the qb needing to move up in the pocket. Leidner has a habit of retreating back out of the pocket instead of stepping up. That said, I think he has some real ability and could be very good if the lightbiulb goes on. Much depends on the the offensive line. Wren is right again!

The coaches earn their riches by playing to our strengths and our opponent's weaknesses. If we try to out-Wisconsin Wisconsin at this time we may have a problem. What will the wrinkles be?

 

[imthewalrus]

Which half? Our running game was improved last season compared to what we saw in Coach Kills first two seasons. But using the word "domination" is a bit of a stretch, especially when i comes to the BIG. Our RB's averaged 4.2 and take away the IU game, we were at 3.9.

Cobb was our only effective RB and there were games when he struggled. IU was the only BIG game when the RB's managed over 4.8 yard a carry. Kirkwood did very little.

You may not remember the days of Maroney, Barber, Tapeh, Pinnix, Hamner, etc. We have a huge way to go to even come close to that type of domination.

I think we will see an improved OL this Fall but I don't see the talent where we will dominate the majority of the BIG opponents.

Strong D and running game are the formula to winning big and often in the BIG and we have a ways to go in both areas. IMO, Leidner doesn't have the goods to win games with his arm and legs.

And in a nutshell, you have described the state of the program and some of the most difficult challenges to overcome
Bayfieldgopher. Any and every Conference win is a real positive for the team, the coaches and all of we fans. As you have pointed out, the challenges are many and just to assume that because four conference games were won in 2013 that the team will be reloaded and a run for the roses is in the cards in 2014 would rather unrealistic. I must admit that I share your concerns about the quarterback situation.

Good assessment of where things stand prior to the start of the 2014 Conference Schedule. As always, I look forward to the season. and will really appreciate the positives that hopefully will develop during the season. While the B1G is not currently considered to be an especially good major conference, it is still a very difficult conference to greatly improve the competitive level of play against rivals in. A stretch like the Gophers have during the month of November is one mighty brutal stretch...historically and currently.

 

[Killjoy]

I checked into this thread because of wren.

Yep.

Doc - It is for the birds!

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Our running game was/is hamstrung by the passing game. This can only get better. If it's worse lord help us.

Furthermore, we had pathetic offensive line play in the non-con. Without defensive plays and special teams heroics we would have lost a couple of those. I'm certain they got their asses kicked by kill and co and shaped up considerably as the season wore on before suffering from some injuries.

I'm a cobb fan. He can hit 1500 easy. But, with the freshmen coming in we will see how they split the carries.

Random thoughts, Conner Mayes has future NFL player written all over him. Im worried about Pirsig's ability to handle speed rushers at this time. I predict this will improve and I'm excited to see him develop. Part of this is the qb needing to move up in the pocket. Leidner has a habit of retreating back out of the pocket instead of stepping up. That said, I think he has some real ability and could be very good if the lightbiulb goes on. Much depends on the the offensive line. Wren is right again!

The coaches earn their riches by playing to our strengths and our opponent's weaknesses. If we try to out-Wisconsin Wisconsin at this time we may have a problem. What will the wrinkles be?

Excellent points Pompous. Coach Kill has brought the program forward to the point where we have managed to beat the teams we should and compete well with the lower half of the BIG. But the talent is not there to hang in there with the top tier, especially the teams with the best D. And likely won't until we can field a team full of 5th year SR's and Jr's.

I think the play of the Special Teams has been most noteworthy and that is an area that Coach Kill works very hard at.
ST's, strong D and a solid running game will serve you well in the BIG.

Many people get hung up on the QB play. Both Wisky and MSU did very well with their QB's, both of which weren't a Braxton Miller type. Cook came along nicely and was playing his best ball the last part of the season. We don't need Leidner to have and All BIG type of year although that would be nice but not very realistic at this time. But he must improve in his passing efficiency and the OL and WR's need to do their part. Leidner is still an inexperienced QB compared to a 5th year SR. but we can hope that improvement will be gradual and steady.

As Wren stated, the BIG road is long and difficult. The Gophers can no longer use the excuse that we are young. We have a good number of experienced players who could develop into All BIG players. The vast majority of ALL BIG are Sr's & Jr's which is something we haven't had.