Entering last 3 controlling own destiny

Why weren't Purdue, Nebraska, Maryland, and NW able to do that?

I think a lot of people would argue that Purdue, and probably Nebraska, are more talented than Illinois. Granted, ILL beat Neb in week 0. Lost to Purdue.

Those wins don't fit the narrative for certain people.
 

Right .... but I want answers. Damnit!

I WANT THE TRUTH! YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
 

Because they didn't look great at NW, which is for whatever reasons a team that tends to have their number?

Don't forget: Fleck is 0-4 vs Iowa and we haven't won in Iowa City since 1999.


Why wouldn't Iowa (and every team here on out, frankly) just do what BG and then Illinois did to us?

That's all you have to do. It's not like it's something that can't be done.


Illinois beat us with edge rushers that were 3* recruits.
Why weren't Purdue, Nebraska, Maryland, and NW able to do that?
I think a lot of people would argue that Purdue, and probably Nebraska, are more talented than Illinois. Granted, ILL beat Neb in week 0. Lost to Purdue.
We beat a more talented team in Auburn.

its about the game plan and ability to make adjustments and execution.
Our D adjusted and shut down IL. If your defense only allows 14 points a game, thats pretty good.
Our OC has relied on the run, its probably simpler to call run plays when you have size like we do, he is below average at making good passing plays decisions.
 

So you’re saying it’ll be a low scoring game
Apparently Iowa has a QB controversy. Given the way the two teams are playing, I'll be EXTREMELY surprised if either team exceeds the teens in points.
 

Apparently Iowa has a QB controversy. Given the way the two teams are playing, I'll be EXTREMELY surprised if either team exceeds the teens in points.
It’s all turnovers. If Minnesota turns the ball over they’ll get blown out. If Iowa does, Minnesota will win by 9+
if both do, who knows. If neither do, first to 17 wins.
 


Standings wise, losing to Illinois changes nothing. Gophers still control what happens to them. As far as how it feels like things are likely to play out, that has changed significantly. Winning at Iowa now feels iffy at best and beating Wisconsin seems like one heck of a long shot.
 

Standings wise, losing to Illinois changes nothing. Gophers still control what happens to them. As far as how it feels like things are likely to play out, that has changed significantly. Winning at Iowa now feels iffy at best and beating Wisconsin seems like one heck of a long shot.
Standings wise it does change this;
Minnesota can no longer back into big ten title game by beating Iowa and Indiana and having Nebraska beat wisconsin

But that wasn’t going to happen anyways.
 

In college football, even coaches don't know what team will show from week to week. It's got some elements of a crapshoot to it. It's been that way for decades. The bottom line is the Gophers are 6-3 and in a four way tie for first at 4-2. I'll take that easily. They've beaten one of the other first place teams already. They control their destiny and are playing meaningful games in November. No way they come out in Iowa City like they did yesterday. Buckle up, this should be fun.
 






Standings wise, losing to Illinois changes nothing. Gophers still control what happens to them. As far as how it feels like things are likely to play out, that has changed significantly. Winning at Iowa now feels iffy at best and beating Wisconsin seems like one heck of a long shot.
There is a game in between those two...
 

WI has won 5 in a row. Shut out IL, beat IA, destroyed Rutgers.

They are playing like their preseason ranking.
 







T

wo big Ifs.
Yeah I wouldn’t pick them to do it.
50/50 on Iowa
50/50 on Indiana
10/90 on wisconsin

expected wins = a little over 1

so I’d say 1 win, maybe two but not the right two


as for the Indiana game mattering. With the loss to Illinois. If Minnesota beats Iowa but loses to wisconsin. Indiana game matters to west race IF Minnesota beats Indiana and

wisconsin loses to NEBRASKA AND NORTHWESTERN

AND

Iowa loses to Nebraska OR Illinois

AND

Purdue loses to two of Ohio state, northwestern, and Indiana.


so it doesn’t matter either way as long as Ohio state beats Purdue.
 
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So we beat Purdue on the road. They spanked Iowa at Kinnick. Yet we have people on this board discounting that Purdue win as "lucky".

So Iowa beats Northwestern by 5 and scores 3 points in the last 45 minutes of the game. We trounce the same team on the same field 41-14 JUST last week. Yet we have people acting like Iowa is so much better than us.

There are some seriously damaged psychologies on this board. Basically, let's only look at the Gophers' two bad performances and not give any credit for any of the wins. You can't make this stuff up

Personally, I think the team comes out fired up next week and we have a game plan that surprises everyone - including Iowa - and we bring home Floyd for the first time this millennium.
You just described Gopher fandom precisely. Everything could be running smooth as silk until an acorn falls and the horde of Chicken Littles come out to proclaim the world is ending!

Let's see how things play out first! I give us a better than 25% chance of beating the Piglovers (closer to 45%), Indiana is terrible, and the skunks will be a challenge but it's a home game. I wouldn't be surprised if it came down to the battle for the Ax and it will be a Maroon and Gold celebration at the end!
 

Way to cook up numbers to support your point.

50% chance in Iowa City, but only 10% chance at home.
 


Bielema played at Iowa and obviously was the coach at Wisc. He hates Minnesota

Guessing he has pretty good relationships with both Ferentz and Chryst, and will be happy to ship every single aspect of his game plans for beating us to both.
I'm sure they'll have plenty of film to go on without Butthead's help!
 

I'm sure they'll have plenty of film to go on without Butthead's help!
There is obviously far more that goes into a game plan than just watching film. It's a whole set of notes, ideas, etc. etc.

I was joking anyway. Of course he's probably not going to ship the whole package right to them. But I bet if they called him, he would be happy to give his thoughts on how to beat us.
 


What were they ranked? I’d say they’re playing more like their current ranking.
Let’s not kid ourselves —I hate to say it but Wisconsin looks real good right now—that defense is no doubt the best in the Big Ten—regardless of the division. Anyone that does not see that either has not watched them or does not know anything about football —it’s just a fact I hate to say.
 

If Ferentz and Chryst can't figure out the game plan
No one is saying they can't.

Just because they can, doesn't mean that BB's game plan can't include a point or two that Kirk and/or Paul may not realize from their film study.


Give him some credit.
 
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Let’s not kid ourselves —I hate to say it but Wisconsin looks real good right now—that defense is no doubt the best in the Big Ten—regardless of the division. Anyone that does not see that either has not watched them or does not know anything about football —it’s just a fact I hate to say.
Their defense is probably too 2 in the country. Their offense is probably bottom 1/3rd of the country

to me that makes them a top 20 team not a top 10 team
 

In college football, even coaches don't know what team will show from week to week. It's got some elements of a crapshoot to it. It's been that way for decades.
This is what a lot of people just don't get. All it takes is 2-3 guys on either side of the ball who just aren't mentally there that week (woman issues, school/grade issues, family issues) and the whole thing goes to shit. It'll show up on the tape, but the coaches will never call out any of those individual players.

It's hard to get a full roster of 50-60 contributing players to all take Illinois seriously, no matter what you do
 

Hey
Their defense is probably too 2 in the country. Their offense is probably bottom 1/3rd of the country

to me that makes them a top 20 team not a top 10 team
I am not saying Wisconsin is a top Ten team —maybe 15th. What I am saying however is that —and again I hate to say this—they are a very good team right now and there are some on this board that just do not recognize that—they are not just an average team the way they are currently playing.
 

Hey

I am not saying Wisconsin is a top Ten team —maybe 15th. What I am saying however is that —and again I hate to say this—they are a very good team right now and there are some on this board that just do not recognize that—they are not just an average team the way they are currently playing.
They are closer to average than great though

they are not unbeatable

They’re good and if they take care of the ball are a threat to win the conference because defense is that good
 




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