Comment made during yesterday's game by Mason . . .

[DL65]

which on the surface seems as though it was a throw away line; however, I believe it has some merit, especially when evaluating mid-major opponents. Mason said, "There are MAC players that are Big 10 players and Big 10 players that are MAC players." Fans of BCS schools have a tendency to look down or overlook the play of the mid-majors, and yet there are a lot of close games and occasional upsets, as we know too well. The problem, as I see it, the top MAC schools have depth problems and quality numbers on both sides of the ball. Nevertheless, they have players that I'm sure we wouldn't mind seeing wearing the maroon and gold.

Miami of Ohio played a rated Missouri team and Minnesota tough. I imagine, it's not too hard for MAC teams to get up for Big 10 teams and give it their best shot. I suspect NDSU will be up for the Gophers too. Should the Gophers win? Certainly. But only if they don't take the Bison for granted and continue to show improvement. In short, respect your opponent, and bring your "A" game.

Go Gophers!!

 

[Too Long in the Wasteland]

Mason should know. He recruited a bunch of MAC level talent for 10 years. Granted, a few of those guys turned out to be studs, and Mason (& his assistants) did have some areas where they recruited very well, such as NJ. But the results showed when he consistently took the leftovers from states like OH. Particularly on defense. A certain game in 2003 comes to mind...

Actually, Glen's comments about Miami are pretty accurate. And if that Miami team played in the Big 10, they'd be lucky to finish 3-5. Which was a typical year for Mason. I will say if yesterday's game had been in Oxford rather than MPLS I don't think we would have won.

 

[BisonGopher]

which on the surface seems as though it was a throw away line; however, I believe it has some merit, especially when evaluating mid-major opponents. Mason said, "There are MAC players that are Big 10 players and Big 10 players that are MAC players." Fans of BCS schools have a tendency to look down or overlook the play of the mid-majors, and yet there are a lot of close games and occasional upsets, as we know too well. The problem, as I see it, the top MAC schools have depth problems and quality numbers on both sides of the ball. Nevertheless, they have players that I'm sure we wouldn't mind seeing wearing the maroon and gold.

Miami of Ohio played a rated Missouri team and Minnesota tough. I imagine, it's not too hard for MAC teams to get up for Big 10 teams and give it their best shot. I suspect NDSU will be up for the Gophers too. Should the Gophers win? Certainly. But only if they don't take the Bison for granted and continue to show improvement. In short, respect your opponent, and bring your "A" game.

Go Gophers!!

Very easy to say.

In fact - why wouldn't every team bring their "A game" for every single game? You only get 12 games over 13-14 weeks. Is there EVER a game where the coaches tell the players "ya know guys...you can probably get away with your B or C game this week...lets give the A game a rest"?!

So then it comes back to human nature. No team can "play up" every game. Just can't happen. There will be a down week or weeks and it most typically happens when the players know that their opponent is rated much lower than them - such as this week when the Gopher players know that the NDSU players are less talented that they are.

I can tell you this: the Gopher players will not be "up" for this game against NDSU. They will be looking forward to the Big Ten season - the "real season".

 

[go4rob]

I thought Coach Mason did a great job in the booth today. Very classy as always.