You are right. The Gophs have had several decent rush defense games. We held Iowa to 133 yards rushing (and lost 41-3, WTF?). I am still having flashbacks to the Purdue game (253 rushing yards allowed for a 6.33 yard average per carry) and the recent MSU game (MSU's running backs gained 209 yards on 28 carries for a 7.46 yard average per carry). Against MSU, the number of times we sacked the FR QB for losses masked, statistcially, what an easy time the MSU RBs had against our defense.
Oregon will present perhaps the best OL, and certainly the fastest, shiftiest RBs, the Gophs have seen this year. Love to see our D hold the line. It will take assignment discipline, coordination and good one-on-one tackling. The Gophers defense doesn't/can't practice against anyone with the speed and shiftiness of the Oregon RBs. We have nobody on the roster like them. This leads, I believe, to what in games appears to be poor angles, sloppy tackling technique. The Gophs need to be prepared to tackle backs with speed and shiftiness they've never played or practiced against. Tough assignment. Go Gophers!
