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Citrus Bowl: Gophers and Tigers 5 Critical Matchups
By Alex Van Abbema
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/461760?referrer_id=
Matchups to watch in Citrus Bowl
Minnesota offensive Line vs. Missouri Defensive Line
This is probably the biggest matchup in the entire game. Missouri has arguably the best defensive line in a stacked SEC, and it is by far the strongest point of their defense. The Gophers have yet to face a defensive lineman the caliber of Shane Ray, who racked up an SEC-leading 14 sacks as well as 21 tackles for a loss. Along with their other prominent defensive end, Marcus Golden, the defensive line duo will be the toughest test yet for this offensive line. Offensive linemen have been shifting around often since the start of the season with injuries, but with the added resting time the line should be healthy and completely set to go for the Citrus Bowl. It’s also the last game for starters Tommy Olsen and Zach Epping, who will have one of the toughest tests of their careers in their final game.
Jerry Kill versus Gary Pinkel
According to Coach Kill, these two have actually known each other for a long time, going all the way back to Kill’s time in Southern Illinois, and he also has a former player who works with Pinkel. This is the fourteenth year that Pinkel has coached Missouri, and he has a very solid 102-63 record with the team. Gopher fans already know the job that Kill has done to improve the team over the years, creating a program that hasn’t been seen by players and fans for a long time. Both coaches are coming off coach of the year awards for the SEC and Big Ten respectively. It will be interesting to see how these two match up game plan wise.
Mitch Leidner versus Missouri Secondary
Coming off an incredibly rough game passing wise against Wisconsin (he completed 5-18 passes), Leidner will undoubtably need to have an improved game to get this Gophers offense going alongside David Cobb. Missouri already has a very strong passing defense, and are around the middle of the SEC, averaging 208 yards of passing per game against them. If Leidner can get into a rhythm offensively while getting Maxx Williams heavily involved, Minnesota will be able to keep up with Missouri’s offense.
Minnesota secondary versus Missouri wideouts
With the loss of Brock Vereen, many experts predicted the Gophers secondary to be one of the worst in the Big Ten before the season began. The secondary pleasantly surprised fans however, and turned out to be one of the most successful pieces of the defensive unit. Briean Boddy-Calhoun made huge plays toward the end of the year, including the the memorable strip fumble from Nebraska’s De-Mornay Pierson El to give the Gophers a chance to play Wisconsin for the Big Ten Championship. Derrick Wells has avoided injury and played very well alongside Eric Murray. Senior leader Cedric Thompson had another solid season, and manned the helm well at safety. Missouri has talented wideouts, but will be without their second leading receiver, Jimmie Hunt. It’s crucial for the Gophers to hold leading receiver Bud Sasser to minimal damage, as he has 935 receiving yards for Mizzou along with 10 touchdowns.
Defensive line/linebackers versus Maty Mauk
Like many quarterbacks the Gophers have faced this year, and struggled against, Maty Mauk is an effective scrambler. The Gophers let J.T Barrett run all over them in the Ohio State game, with an 86 yard touchdown and 189 total yards. Quarterback containment will be huge for both the defensive line and linebackers, and making any and all tackles will be key. If the front seven allows Mauk ample time to scramble around and buy time to find open receivers, it will be a long three hours in Orlando.
By Alex Van Abbema
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/461760?referrer_id=
Matchups to watch in Citrus Bowl
Minnesota offensive Line vs. Missouri Defensive Line
This is probably the biggest matchup in the entire game. Missouri has arguably the best defensive line in a stacked SEC, and it is by far the strongest point of their defense. The Gophers have yet to face a defensive lineman the caliber of Shane Ray, who racked up an SEC-leading 14 sacks as well as 21 tackles for a loss. Along with their other prominent defensive end, Marcus Golden, the defensive line duo will be the toughest test yet for this offensive line. Offensive linemen have been shifting around often since the start of the season with injuries, but with the added resting time the line should be healthy and completely set to go for the Citrus Bowl. It’s also the last game for starters Tommy Olsen and Zach Epping, who will have one of the toughest tests of their careers in their final game.
Jerry Kill versus Gary Pinkel
According to Coach Kill, these two have actually known each other for a long time, going all the way back to Kill’s time in Southern Illinois, and he also has a former player who works with Pinkel. This is the fourteenth year that Pinkel has coached Missouri, and he has a very solid 102-63 record with the team. Gopher fans already know the job that Kill has done to improve the team over the years, creating a program that hasn’t been seen by players and fans for a long time. Both coaches are coming off coach of the year awards for the SEC and Big Ten respectively. It will be interesting to see how these two match up game plan wise.
Mitch Leidner versus Missouri Secondary
Coming off an incredibly rough game passing wise against Wisconsin (he completed 5-18 passes), Leidner will undoubtably need to have an improved game to get this Gophers offense going alongside David Cobb. Missouri already has a very strong passing defense, and are around the middle of the SEC, averaging 208 yards of passing per game against them. If Leidner can get into a rhythm offensively while getting Maxx Williams heavily involved, Minnesota will be able to keep up with Missouri’s offense.
Minnesota secondary versus Missouri wideouts
With the loss of Brock Vereen, many experts predicted the Gophers secondary to be one of the worst in the Big Ten before the season began. The secondary pleasantly surprised fans however, and turned out to be one of the most successful pieces of the defensive unit. Briean Boddy-Calhoun made huge plays toward the end of the year, including the the memorable strip fumble from Nebraska’s De-Mornay Pierson El to give the Gophers a chance to play Wisconsin for the Big Ten Championship. Derrick Wells has avoided injury and played very well alongside Eric Murray. Senior leader Cedric Thompson had another solid season, and manned the helm well at safety. Missouri has talented wideouts, but will be without their second leading receiver, Jimmie Hunt. It’s crucial for the Gophers to hold leading receiver Bud Sasser to minimal damage, as he has 935 receiving yards for Mizzou along with 10 touchdowns.
Defensive line/linebackers versus Maty Mauk
Like many quarterbacks the Gophers have faced this year, and struggled against, Maty Mauk is an effective scrambler. The Gophers let J.T Barrett run all over them in the Ohio State game, with an 86 yard touchdown and 189 total yards. Quarterback containment will be huge for both the defensive line and linebackers, and making any and all tackles will be key. If the front seven allows Mauk ample time to scramble around and buy time to find open receivers, it will be a long three hours in Orlando.