ESPN: Big Ten predictions: Week 8 (Bennett has NU 35-20; Rittenberg has NU 34-21)

[BleedGopher]

per ESPN:

MINNESOTA at NORTHWESTERN

Brian Bennett: Last week's loss at Wisconsin was one of the worst performances in a long time for Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald promised this week that his team would bounce back and play well, and I believe him. The Wildcats ought to be mad for this one, and though Mitch Leidner will lead Minnesota to a couple of scores, Northwestern will seize control in the second quarter. ... Northwestern 35, Minnesota 20

Adam Rittenberg: Will this be The Hangover Part II? I think Northwestern gets it together behind quarterback Kain Colter, who records a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Minnesota finds some gaps in Northwestern's defense early on, but the Gophers' one-dimensional offense dooms them in the second half. Tony Jones gets back on the touchdown train as Northwestern records its first Big Ten win. ... Northwestern 34, Minnesota 21

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/86787/big-ten-predictions-week-8-3

Go Gophers!!

 

[Sparlimb]

Can't argue with those scores. I'd say our range is lose by 40 through win by 7. I can't imagine a scenario where we blow them out, but this is college football and you never know. While I'm skeptical we can win, we sure need it. Go Gophs!

 

[thailleagle]

Ouch at "One Dimensional Offense"... I think Leidner could change a few minds after tomorrow...

 

[Grant]

WTF! The guest picker is from St Paul and loves the Hawkeyes and the Huskers. Anytime the guest picker is from Minnesota he seems to be a hawkeye, badger or husker fan.

 

[It's a Pig Man!]

Interesting that Rittenberg seems to be basing his prediction off of Colter having a monster game since he was downgraded to doubtful for the game today. Wonder if he would change his tune knowing this.

FYI, Mark was downgraded to doubtful as well.

 

[Dr.Don]

Interesting that Rittenberg seems to be basing his prediction off of Colter having a monster game since he was downgraded to doubtful for the game today. Wonder if he would change his tune knowing this.

FYI, Mark was downgraded to doubtful as well.

scoresandodds.com report, which we use for Pick Per Day Contest:

[DB] 09/02/2013 - Daniel Jones out for season ( Knee )
[DT] 10/17/2013 - Sean McEvilly expected to miss Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Lower Body )
(!)[QB] 10/18/2013 - Kain Colter is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Ankle )
(!)[RB] 10/18/2013 - Venric Mark is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Ankle )
[LB] 10/17/2013 - Jaylen Prater expected to miss Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Undisclosed )

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

scoresandodds.com report, which we use for Pick Per Day Contest:

[DB] 09/02/2013 - Daniel Jones out for season ( Knee )
[DT] 10/17/2013 - Sean McEvilly expected to miss Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Lower Body )
(!)[QB] 10/18/2013 - Kain Colter is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Ankle )
(!)[RB] 10/18/2013 - Venric Mark is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Ankle )
[LB] 10/17/2013 - Jaylen Prater expected to miss Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Undisclosed )

Thanks for posting this Doc. Does anyone know if these other players beside Colter and Mark are significant contributors?

 

[MNVCGUY]

scoresandodds.com report, which we use for Pick Per Day Contest:

[DB] 09/02/2013 - Daniel Jones out for season ( Knee )
[DT] 10/17/2013 - Sean McEvilly expected to miss Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Lower Body )
(!)[QB] 10/18/2013 - Kain Colter is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Ankle )
(!)[RB] 10/18/2013 - Venric Mark is downgraded to doubtful Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Ankle )
[LB] 10/17/2013 - Jaylen Prater expected to miss Saturday vs. Minnesota U ( Undisclosed )

The LB is a backup but Colter, Mark, and McEvilly are all big losses for them. By all accounts this is a defense we should be able to run the ball on based especially missing one of their starters at DT. Northwestern still has weapons on offense but Colter and Mark are two of their biggest so taking them out of the equation certainly helps out the Gophers heading into this one. Their other QB is still pretty good though and by all accounts is the better passer of their 2 headed QB monster.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

The LB is a backup but Colter, Mark, and McEvilly are all big losses for them. By all accounts this is a defense we should be able to run the ball on based especially missing one of their starters at DT. Northwestern still has weapons on offense but Colter and Mark are two of their biggest so taking them out of the equation certainly helps out the Gophers heading into this one. Their other QB is still pretty good though and by all accounts is the better passer of their 2 headed QB monster.

Thanks for these insights. I wonder if Fitz is trying to keep us guessing with Colter and Mark seeing how he is desperate for a B1G win and they can't afford to lose to us. That said, I hope Colter and Mark are ready to go on Sunday.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Thanks for these insights. I wonder if Fitz is trying to keep us guessing with Colter and Mark seeing how he is desperate for a B1G win and they can't afford to lose to us. That said, I hope Colter and Mark are ready to go on Sunday.

Fitz doesn't come across as the kind that would mess with an injury report to mess with an opponent so I would think that with them listed as doubtful on Friday I would not anticipate either of them seeing the field tomorrow.

You are right about them being desperate though because they had some really high hopes for this season and a third loss in the conference would basically destroy all of that for them especially with back to back road games against Iowa and Nebraska coming up. Despite what has happened to them the past two weeks this is still a very dangerous team with quite a bit of talent. Our offense will have to keep theirs off the field for us to have a chance of pulling the upset.

 

[Gladeskat]

MNVCGUY is spot on. McEvilly is a major loss to our DL, which is not as strong as it was last year with Arnfelt at DT (now with the Steelers). Fitz always is vague with injury reports to keep opponents off balance. Venric Mark will likely miss this game. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that his injury may be more serious than believed, possibly a fracture.

 

[hungan1]

per ESPN:

MINNESOTA at NORTHWESTERN

Brian Bennett: Last week's loss at Wisconsin was one of the worst performances in a long time for Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald promised this week that his team would bounce back and play well, and I believe him. The Wildcats ought to be mad for this one, and though Mitch Leidner will lead Minnesota to a couple of scores, Northwestern will seize control in the second quarter. ... Northwestern 35, Minnesota 20

Adam Rittenberg: Will this be The Hangover Part II? I think Northwestern gets it together behind quarterback Kain Colter, who records a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. Minnesota finds some gaps in Northwestern's defense early on, but the Gophers' one-dimensional offense dooms them in the second half. Tony Jones gets back on the touchdown train as Northwestern records its first Big Ten win. ... Northwestern 34, Minnesota 21

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/86787/big-ten-predictions-week-8-3

Go Gophers!!

Quite the contrary, Maxx and Drew will have good games and the Gophers will not fizzle out in the second half for a change. Run to pass. This is their one big opportunity to notch a win.

 

[BleedGopher]

Joe's STrib Prediction

Whether they’ve won or lost, the Gophers have yet to play a game decided by fewer than 16 points this year. Their games against Northwestern are often close (though frustrating). Saturday brings more of the same — a better effort for the Gophers than the past two weeks, but a loss.

Northwestern 32

Gophers 24

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/228419321.html

Go Gophers!!