ESPN: Know your nonconference opponent: Colorado State

[BleedGopher]

per ESPN:

What’s at stake for Minnesota? Many people forget that last year's game in Fort Collins was one of the most exciting Big Ten nonconference clashes. The Golden Gophers rallied late and eventually won in overtime, 23-20. The Rams could be Minnesota's toughest out-of-league opponent this season in an all-home September slate, and it will be crucial for Tracy Claeys' team to take care of business. The Gophers have a chance to make some noise in the Big Ten West, but their margin for error is slim and they can't afford to give away potential wins. Colorado State's solid passing game should give Minnesota's talented secondary a good early-season test.

What’s at stake for Colorado State? A team like the Rams only gets so many shots at beating a Power 5 team. For Colorado State, it's the annual clash against rival Colorado in the opener and then this one against Minnesota before entering Mountain West play. It would likely take winning both of those games for the Rams to earn some national notice and possible Top 25 recognition. Fair or not, Group of 5 teams must not stumble in any opportunity if they want to break through and accomplish things like a New Year's Six bowl bid. Colorado State's overall talent level is not that far off from Minnesota's, as shown by last year's overtime loss. The Rams would still need a peak performance to grab this road win.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/134197/know-your-nonconference-opponent-colorado-state

Go Gophers!!

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Bennett states their talent level is not much different than ours. I'd disagree, in the same way that us nearly upsetting Michigan last year doesn't mean the roster talent is almost the same, something I doubt Bennett would state. There were other factors in play.

CSU was not a great team last year, and we had a terrible game, Limegrover, etc.

 

[Some guy]

I agree there is not much margin for error for the gophers and they could make some noise in the west, but this game has nothing to do with making noise in the big ten west.

Other than momentum, but historically momentum doesn't always help or hurt you. Since 2008 40% of teams to win the big ten had a non-conference loss in the regular season.

 

[olddoc]

That is why they play the game.

 

[ruppertflywheel]

Last year NFL draftable WR for CSU was out. We were at the game via Creative Charters and talked with a lot of the CSU fans before and after the game. They went into the game pretty banged up. Granted, it was not one of our better games, but we don't win that game without a remarkable catch by KJ Maye.

 

[TruDat]

Last year NFL draftable WR for CSU was out. We were at the game via Creative Charters and talked with a lot of the CSU fans before and after the game. They went into the game pretty banged up. Granted, it was not one of our better games, but we don't win that game without a remarkable catch by KJ Maye.

This was our best win last year. To think that we will just roll out the helmets and win is silly.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

per ESPN:

was one of the most exciting Big Ten nonconference clashes.

Did I miss something by not seeing it on TV?

On the radio it sounded like one of those fugly games where both sides seemed to nearly be trying to give it away....

 

[Sparlimb]

Did I miss something by not seeing it on TV?

On the radio it sounded like one of those fugly games where both sides seemed to nearly be trying to give it away....

That's the game I remember. While no win should be embarrassing, that was very close.

 

[salzie]

Did I miss something by not seeing it on TV?

On the radio it sounded like one of those fugly games where both sides seemed to nearly be trying to give it away....

our offense refused to do anything but rutm

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Did I miss something by not seeing it on TV?

On the radio it sounded like one of those fugly games where both sides seemed to nearly be trying to give it away....

I was at the game so consider yourself lucky you only had to hear about it. Yes, both teams blew many opportunities to take control but always seem to screw up at opportune times. But worse than the play on the field was the officiating. It was a three ring circus with the officiating crew being the main attraction. It was easily the worst officiated game I ever saw with bad calls going both ways. There were so many bad calls that I'm pretty sure the officials huddled up more than either CSU or the U's offensive units.

Aside from the ugly W, the only good thing about that game were the CSU fans. They were great hosts before, during, and after the game. Hopefully we treat them well when they visit us this fall.

 

[highwayman]

I was at the game so consider yourself lucky you only had to hear about it. Yes, both teams blew many opportunities to take control but always seem to screw up at opportune times. But worse than the play on the field was the officiating. It was a three ring circus with the officiating crew being the main attraction. It was easily the worst officiated game I ever saw with bad calls going both ways. There were so many bad calls that I'm pretty sure the officials huddled up more than either CSU or the U's offensive units.

Aside from the ugly W, the only good thing about that game were the CSU fans. They were great hosts before, during, and after the game. Hopefully we treat them well when they visit us this fall.

Yeah, if the refs hadn't blown a half dozen calls in this game, Gophs win in a walk. CSU also "picked" the Mn DBs about 10 times. This time around Mn wins by 2 tds.

 

[WorkingMyTailOff]

Yeah last year's game...the fair catch punt return for a Td by Craig James that the refs missed initially...
Which opponent will be tougher: OSU or CSU?

 

[ruppertflywheel]

I was at the game so consider yourself lucky you only had to hear about it. Yes, both teams blew many opportunities to take control but always seem to screw up at opportune times. But worse than the play on the field was the officiating. It was a three ring circus with the officiating crew being the main attraction. It was easily the worst officiated game I ever saw with bad calls going both ways. There were so many bad calls that I'm pretty sure the officials huddled up more than either CSU or the U's offensive units.

Aside from the ugly W, the only good thing about that game were the CSU fans. They were great hosts before, during, and after the game. Hopefully we treat them well when they visit us this fall.

+1