Cole Cabana Commit to Minnesota

Well, it’s clear from so many rapid signings and retentions, that there’s as open a checkbook as possible at MN. The Cignetti effect raises the bar in the B1G. Accomplishing more in Year 0 than PJ and almost all other coaches that have several years. With the 2025 schedule and this kind of portal haul (and I imagine $$$ to go along with it), 10-2 should be the expectation and anything less, falling short of return on investment.
 

Well, it’s clear from so many rapid signings and retentions, that there’s as open a checkbook as possible at MN. The Cignetti effect raises the bar in the B1G. Accomplishing more in Year 0 than PJ and almost all other coaches that have several years. With the 2025 schedule and this kind of portal haul (and I imagine $$$ to go along with it), 10-2 should be the expectation and anything less, falling short of return on investment.
10-2 with a redshirt freshman or GT back up is a lofty expectation, especially since that’s also probably the team’s ceiling.

I’d think 8 should be be expectation, and anything less than what was accomplished this year would be a sizable disappointment
 

I had to re-read this several times because I was reading ColT Cabana and kept thinking "isn't he a little old for CFB?"
 

Attachments

  • art-of-wrestling-podcast-with-colt-cabana.jpg
    art-of-wrestling-podcast-with-colt-cabana.jpg
    40.9 KB · Views: 2

Well, it’s clear from so many rapid signings and retentions, that there’s as open a checkbook as possible at MN. The Cignetti effect raises the bar in the B1G. Accomplishing more in Year 0 than PJ and almost all other coaches that have several years. With the 2025 schedule and this kind of portal haul (and I imagine $$$ to go along with it), 10-2 should be the expectation and anything less, falling short of return on investment.
What is the Cignetti effect? Guy catches lightning in a bottle with a soft schedule and great portal haul (something not available in Fleck’s year zero). Doesn’t mean everyone else is expected to do that now. It looks like we’ve added some nice pieces, but everyone adds players, we haven’t added anyone that has excelled at this P4 level yet. Let’s pump the breaks a little.
 

This feels like another year of "well we don't love the QB/WR room so we're going to be 4th in the country in runs per game behind the service academies". Added 3 rb to Taylor plus a blocking TE. We might be very boring next year. Not saying we can't be successful but not a lot of 48-45 games.
You might be right, but I hope not. We have to play to our strengths whatever they are. It was a lot of fun this year with a legit passing game! So far, it looks like it could be hard to replicate. Things are changing so quickly and so much more money seems to be pouring in that I can’t even guess how this offseason in the transfer portal will actually turn out. Glad we’re in a rich conference!
 


I apologize for all comments. We will be the best team in the country next year. It will be unfair how we have the best two quarterbacks in the country. We will be the first team in history to have all 4 Heisman finalists. Javon Tracy will be compared to Randy Moss. #CONVICTION

🤣 observations that aren't glowingly positive don't have to be negative. I think it's fair to say adding Pyron means the staff isn't sold 100% on Lindsey. That by no means says he cant be really really good, but I'd hazard a guess we don't get Pyron if Brosmer was atop the QB chart. I'm on record saying I actually like Pyron more than most in limited duty at GT I thought he was a nice piece.

I made a point we added a lot of good RB talent, logic would dictate we'd want to use that talent more. I like the Tracy add too, so I'm not implying we will throw for 45 yards a game. Shesh some of you are blow hards....
Your first paragraph is entirely chick shit. I never argued you should be happy with anything we’ve done, I argued you should have a backbone. When someone said you were being negative, you coyly argued you never technically said anything negative. This feminine style of critique using sarcasm and irony allows cowards like you to give a critique while still arguing you never really gave an opinion. It’s smarmy.

As to the substance of your post, I guess I disagree with you pretty much everything you typed. That’s okay though, at least I think I know where you stand until you try to wiggle out of this opinion too.

I don’t see how bringing in a backup QB casts doubt on the likely starter. I don’t think bringing in the guy from NC State made me wonder on Brosmer.

I certainly don’t see how bringing in running backs signals some weakness in our passing game. I’ve already said why I think our passing game will struggle next year but it has nothing to do with signing this kid.
 

Wow. So we are gonna run 70 percent of the time???? Quite the fleet of running backs.
Same as last year … losing four transfers out; Majors, Manghan, Bangura and Nubin. Added three transfers in. We passed a lot last year. If we have an effective QB and some decent receivers, should pass the same in 2025. Also, lining up some guys in case DT goes pro after 2025, I imagine.
 

What is the Cignetti effect? Guy catches lightning in a bottle with a soft schedule and great portal haul (something not available in Fleck’s year zero). Doesn’t mean everyone else is expected to do that now. It looks like we’ve added some nice pieces, but everyone adds players, we haven’t added anyone that has excelled at this P4 level yet. Let’s pump the breaks a little.
The schedule is extremely soft next year outside of OSU and Oregon which is why I said 10-2 and not Indiana’s 11-1. Most of the opponents outside those 2 are having significant issues.
 

Your first paragraph is entirely chick shit. I never argued you should be happy with anything we’ve done, I argued you should have a backbone. When someone said you were being negative, you coyly argued you never technically said anything negative. This feminine style of critique using sarcasm and irony allows cowards like you to give a critique while still arguing you never really gave an opinion. It’s smarmy.

As to the substance of your post, I guess I disagree with you pretty much everything you typed. That’s okay though, at least I think I know where you stand until you try to wiggle out of this opinion too.

I don’t see how bringing in a backup QB casts doubt on the likely starter. I don’t think bringing in the guy from NC State made me wonder on Brosmer.

I certainly don’t see how bringing in running backs signals some weakness in our passing game. I’ve already said why I think our passing game will struggle next year but it has nothing to do with signing this kid.
Damn, no longer do I have to ask Alexa to show me a divorce` unhappy with his alimony payments. Would love for my wife to work in that sarcasm and irony you speak of next time she's pissed off at me, it would be a relief from the full frontal barrage.
 



I think your takes are all dumb too, let's call it even 🤣.

Never once did I say this was a negative, we are screwed, dumb, etc move. I was making an observation that we added 3 RB recently who appear to be ready to produce guys. Along with a stud RB coming back logic dictates we are going to be more run heavy than this year with Brosmer DJ Spencer etc. That's no issue at all, I am good with that, simply a note. Chill hardo's....

Edit for reference: run % last 3 years, 66% 60% 47%. I think we trend closer to 60% this year with these moves. Sorry for making an observation, I guess I hit a nerve 😅
I know it was in relation to one of your posts but my comment was more a general one in terms of the way some people are just wired to look at things.

For example in this case - Some of us choose to see the RB commitments as restocking a vital position, you chose to go with seeing it as us being headed back to a service academy offense.

It is what it is. We had posters last year during the season acting like the offense was exactly the same as it had always been a good part of the way into the season even though it was clearly different. People see what they want to see.
 

Never ceases to amaze me how some people are always expecting bad things to happen. Seems like it would suck to live life as a pessimist but to each their own I guess.
I wish I knew what the motivation of those folks are, it's especially prevalent in sports forums.

Team picks up a guy, you got an opportunity to see it as a positive ... nope better piss and moan. I don't get it.
 

The schedule is extremely soft next year outside of OSU and Oregon which is why I said 10-2 and not Indiana’s 11-1. Most of the opponents outside those 2 are having significant issues.
I agree that on paper right now our schedule for next year doesn't look daunting but in this era of roster churn it is way too early to be making assumptions about next season because we really don't know how teams are going to look once all the portal shifting is done. And that includes us.

As others have mentioned, setting an expectation of 10-2 is setting the bar way too high. The opportunity to go 10-2 looks like it might be there but it shouldn't be the expectation. Looking at the schedule right now it would be a bummer if we don't have a good season but that means like a minimum of 8 wins or so, not 10.
 

I wish I knew what the motivation of those folks are, it's especially prevalent in sports forums.

Team picks up a guy, you got an opportunity to see it as a positive ... nope better piss and moan. I don't get it.
Optimist vs. Pessimist.....for whatever reason there are people that only seem happy when they have something to complain about. I'm glad I'm not wired that way, especially in terms of sports, allows me to enjoy it and look for the positives as opposed to just assuming the worst all the time.

I mean hell....we know the Vikings are going to rip our hearts out at some point this season but I am going to enjoy the ride as opposed to dwelling on the eventual end. :)
 



Optimist vs. Pessimist.....for whatever reason there are people that only seem happy when they have something to complain about. I'm glad I'm not wired that way, especially in terms of sports, allows me to enjoy it and look for the positives as opposed to just assuming the worst all the time.

I mean hell....we know the Vikings are going to rip our hearts out at some point this season but I am going to enjoy the ride as opposed to dwelling on the eventual end. :)
Every team but one will get their hearts ripped out in the NFL.
 

Every team but one will get their hearts ripped out in the NFL.
Sure, but a lot of them will just get beat.....the Vikings will find a creative way to make it really sting for years and years to come. :)
 

Optimist vs. Pessimist.....for whatever reason there are people that only seem happy when they have something to complain about. I'm glad I'm not wired that way, especially in terms of sports, allows me to enjoy it and look for the positives as opposed to just assuming the worst all the time.

I mean hell....we know the Vikings are going to rip our hearts out at some point this season but I am going to enjoy the ride as opposed to dwelling on the eventual end. :)
On a scale of 1 to 10, the negativity of leib0039's initial comment was a one. I didn't even notice it until you all went off and piled on. Dang! Give it a rest. A little PTSD about the Gophers falling back into becoming a running team that ignores the pass is not that crazy unreasonable. The negativity of the responses to that one post is excessive. It's OK sometimes to show some grace.
 

On a scale of 1 to 10, the negativity of leib0039's initial comment was a one. I didn't even notice it until you all went off and piled on. Dang! Give it a rest. A little PTSD about the Gophers falling back into becoming a running team that ignores the pass is not that crazy unreasonable. The negativity of the responses to that one post is excessive. It's OK sometimes to show some grace.
While I don't disagree with you, if you are expecting anything other than what's already happened in this thread, then you either have: 1. Not been on the internet very long or, 2. Not been on Gopherhole very long. Also known as "Sir, this is a Wendy's"
 

On a scale of 1 to 10, the negativity of leib0039's initial comment was a one. I didn't even notice it until you all went off and piled on. Dang! Give it a rest. A little PTSD about the Gophers falling back into becoming a running team that ignores the pass is not that crazy unreasonable. The negativity of the responses to that one post is excessive. It's OK sometimes to show some grace.
It is a message board, leib0039 made a comment and a lot of posters seem to disagree with his take on what the RB signings mean for the future of the program, me included.

For my part, I was more making an observation in regards to how some people choose to look at things.
 

It is a message board, leib0039 made a comment and a lot of posters seem to disagree with his take on what the RB signings mean for the future of the program, me included.

For my part, I was more making an observation in regards to how some people choose to look at things
Sorry about that. My comment wasn't really directed at you either. It was more general in nature. You just happened to be at the tail end of a string.

I don't like the pervasive negativity on these boards sometimes too. I get it....especially after a couple Gopher losses in a row this season. Remember that! I also sometimes get worn out by the the overly negative responses to the negativity. Sometimes it should just be like water off a ducks back.

At church yesterday, they commented on how teenagers that spend two hours or more on social media a day have much higher incidences of depression. I'm sure that's true for us adults too. Hahahaha!
 

I know it was in relation to one of your posts but my comment was more a general one in terms of the way some people are just wired to look at things.

For example in this case - Some of us choose to see the RB commitments as restocking a vital position, you chose to go with seeing it as us being headed back to a service academy offense.

It is what it is. We had posters last year during the season acting like the offense was exactly the same as it had always been a good part of the way into the season even though it was clearly different. People see what they want to see.
Which is what I felt like on my posts ha.

I also am not sure why service academy offenses are seen as bad? Navy and Army were 2 of the top ohh 30ish teams this year and had very effective offenses. To me at the end of the day that can be a very effective tool against the OSU/Oregon of the world who just have more physical talent. You play to your strengths, limit possessions etc. Iowa has used run run run until it hurts for 25+ years. I'd love to get Dillon Gabriel and JSN Olave Harrison Jr etc and chuck it around, we historically haven't gotten those guys. PJF has done a great job in the RB/OL room for the most part, makes sense to be more run heavy.
 

I think your takes are all dumb too, let's call it even 🤣.

Never once did I say this was a negative, we are screwed, dumb, etc move. I was making an observation that we added 3 RB recently who appear to be ready to produce guys. Along with a stud RB coming back logic dictates we are going to be more run heavy than this year with Brosmer DJ Spencer etc. That's no issue at all, I am good with that, simply a note. Chill hardo's....

Edit for reference: run % last 3 years, 66% 60% 47%. I think we trend closer to 60% this year with these moves. Sorry for making an observation, I guess I hit a nerve 😅
Cabana has 2 career carries, 0 this year. If the roster stays at is currently is, they will have 3 guys with really any experience at the position. They went into 2024 with 5 RBs with good experience.

So if anything, we go into 2025 with less experience at the RB position than 2024.
 
Last edited:

Which is what I felt like on my posts ha.

I also am not sure why service academy offenses are seen as bad? Navy and Army were 2 of the top ohh 30ish teams this year and had very effective offenses. To me at the end of the day that can be a very effective tool against the OSU/Oregon of the world who just have more physical talent. You play to your strengths, limit possessions etc. Iowa has used run run run until it hurts for 25+ years. I'd love to get Dillon Gabriel and JSN Olave Harrison Jr etc and chuck it around, we historically haven't gotten those guys. PJF has done a great job in the RB/OL room for the most part, makes sense to be more run heavy.
Service academy offenses aren't necessarily seen as bad but the general feeling is they run the offense they run because they can't do anything else effectively. So when people compare us to a service academy it is taking a shot at our offenses inability to pass. Thankfully that went away this past season and hopefully going forward we can continue to be far more balanced in terms of run/pass.

Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin......are always going to need to lean on good running games to be successful because that is what works in this part of the country where we have to deal with the elements and tend not to have the speed to be more wide open.

And on a side note....not sure Army really belongs in any top 30 discussions.... :)

They played a grand total of 1 game against a power 4 opponent and got destroyed by Notre Dame. Then Navy beat them pretty handily in their annual showdown this past weekend.

It is that constant discussion on how you view a non-power 4 team with a really good record built on playing weaker opponents. Army was clearly a very good AAC team this year but put them in the Big Ten and they probably struggle to even be middle of the pack.
 


Well, it’s clear from so many rapid signings and retentions, that there’s as open a checkbook as possible at MN. The Cignetti effect raises the bar in the B1G. Accomplishing more in Year 0 than PJ and almost all other coaches that have several years. With the 2025 schedule and this kind of portal haul (and I imagine $$$ to go along with it), 10-2 should be the expectation and anything less, falling short of return on investment.
Stop eating those mushrooms …
 

Stop eating those mushrooms …
Ok, I did say as open a checkbook *as possible* but I think you can’t say that NIL funds are an issue any longer with these kid of early signings. No way are they all signing up for the slogans and to win the nekton award anymore - the $ have to be there or they wouldn’t be jumping to sign.

And as far as the 10-2 expectation, when will there be a more favorable schedule in the new B1G. You’re always going to have to play at least 2 of OSU, Oregon, PSU, Mich. I misread the schedule and had the home and away games switched though so I’d say more like 9-3 expectation.
 

Ok, I did say as open a checkbook *as possible* but I think you can’t say that NIL funds are an issue any longer with these kid of early signings. No way are they all signing up for the slogans and to win the nekton award anymore - the $ have to be there or they wouldn’t be jumping to sign.

And as far as the 10-2 expectation, when will there be a more favorable schedule in the new B1G. You’re always going to have to play at least 2 of OSU, Oregon, PSU, Mich. I misread the schedule and had the home and away games switched though so I’d say more like 9-3 expectation.
We have no idea what these kids are being offered for NIL, we do know they all are stepping into pretty good opportunities to play at the p4 level.
 

Ok, I did say as open a checkbook *as possible* but I think you can’t say that NIL funds are an issue any longer with these kid of early signings. No way are they all signing up for the slogans and to win the nekton award anymore - the $ have to be there or they wouldn’t be jumping to sign.

And as far as the 10-2 expectation, when will there be a more favorable schedule in the new B1G. You’re always going to have to play at least 2 of OSU, Oregon, PSU, Mich. I misread the schedule and had the home and away games switched though so I’d say more like 9-3 expectation.
QB gone, three starting OL gone, top 2 WRs gone; starting LB probably gone, both DEs probably gone, both starting CBs gone. Your brain is operating on a very weird frequency if 9-3 this is your “expectation.” Obviously you believe that game experience and physical maturity are unrelated to success in Big Ten football games. 🤷🏼‍♂️
 

QB gone, three starting OL gone, top 2 WRs gone; starting LB probably gone, both DEs probably gone, both starting CBs gone. Your brain is operating on a very weird frequency if 9-3 this is your “expectation.” Obviously you believe that game experience and physical maturity are unrelated to success in Big Ten football games. 🤷🏼‍♂️
I will say, if there's any team in the conference that could have an unexpectedly great season while lacking in experience, it's us. I think the culture that's been developed here will help us weather a lot of storms that some of these other teams who have "me first" mentalities with similar talent levels won't be able to as well.
 

I will say, if there's any team in the conference that could have an unexpectedly great season while lacking in experience, it's us. I think the culture that's been developed here will help us weather a lot of storms that some of these other teams who have "me first" mentalities with similar talent levels won't be able to as well.
Update to my analysis of losses of game experience and physical maturity from 2024 team. We now appear to have lost 4 of our 5 starting OL--one to the NFL, two to lapsed eligibility, and one (perhaps the next Ersery--level talent) to the transfer portal. The team culture is great at Minnesota, a big positive--worth a win or two every year.

But I differ radically from you in your discounting of the importance of actual game experience and physical maturation in game success, especially when the deficit in these facets pervades the OLine. I certainly hope for a 9-3 season and can see a path to it, but to make it one's "expectation"--any lesser result is a failure? Prepare to be bitterly disappointed by a season that the coaches, the team and the vast majority of reasonable fans will, I suspect, consider a very good and positive outcome, given all the new and young players the team will be orienting and breaking in.

At least you are a great and very ;positive Gopher fan. That counts for a lot. Go Gophers!
 

Update to my analysis of losses of game experience and physical maturity from 2024 team. We now appear to have lost 4 of our 5 starting OL--one to the NFL, two to lapsed eligibility, and one (perhaps the next Ersery--level talent) to the transfer portal. The team culture is great at Minnesota, a big positive--worth a win or two every year.

But I differ radically from you in your discounting of the importance of actual game experience and physical maturation in game success, especially when the deficit in these facets pervades the OLine. I certainly hope for a 9-3 season and can see a path to it, but to make it one's "expectation"--any lesser result is a failure? Prepare to be bitterly disappointed by a season that the coaches, the team and the vast majority of reasonable fans will, I suspect, consider a very good and positive outcome, given all the new and young players the team will be orienting and breaking in.

At least you are a great and very ;positive Gopher fan. That counts for a lot. Go Gophers!
I appreciate the level and good natured response! I'm not discounting game experience as much as I'm saying our team is better equipped than other teams in the same boat/at our level to overcome a lack of experience, all other things being fairly equal. The resiliency developed under Fleck has been very, very clear from his second year onwards. We've had a couple years where we were anticipated to be poop or we were gashed with injuries, and the team didn't give up and fought harder than before. Last year alone was a testament to that. Could've absolutely folded it up after the Iowa game but came back nicely.
 




Top Bottom