ESPN: MN is expected to beat CSU, but that doesn't mean it will happen

Donate To GopherHole
BleedGopher

BleedGopher

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
63,013
Reaction score
20,674
Points
113
per ESPN:

Gophers hit the road: Only two Big Ten teams don't have the benefit of a Week 2 home game -- Iowa and Minnesota. Minnesota is expected to beat Colorado State on the road, but that doesn't mean it will happen. Colorado State crushed a bad Savannah State team 65-13 to open the season. Minnesota played No. 2 TCU tough in the opener, but the Gophers can't afford a letdown as Jerry Kill tries to keep moving the program upward. After two straight 8-5 seasons, some believe the Gophers are in position to challenge for the Big Ten West title. Getting back on the right track Saturday will go a long way toward making the Gophers feel better about their chances.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/123206/b1g-early-look-setting-up-week-2

Go Gophers!!
 

There cannot be a letdown this game for Minnesota, Gophers need to win this football game or this season will not be what it could be. Losing this game in the teams mind should not be an option and I'm not saying they should be cocky, it is they should expect to play well and win and that starts in practice. If not, if they lose, this Gophers team is not going to reach it's potential against there rivals and winning the Big 10 West title will be a puff puff dream.
Lose this game, and it will be same old Gophers to the media all over the NEWS and sports fans in Minnesota and there will be crickets in the stands against Kent State. Savanah State is a bad program but you put up 65 points on anyone and that should get your attention as a defense and as a team. Gophers will need a lot of intensity and a much better performance from the QB and offense to win. The offense is going to have to step up it's game big time. People will mock the Gophers big time if they lose this game as settling and being just like all of the other teams with expectations that crashed or fell apart. The only way Leidner is going to silence some critics is to go out play well and actually lead the team to a win.

This Rams team is a good team with a lot of players back from a 10-3 squad, and they will be really up for facing the Gophers to make there mark, the simple fact that the Gophers played TCU tough will be making them believe they can make a name for themselves. This is not the usual underdog role the Gophers are accustomed to, they will be playing an opponent that is looking for bragging rights, and one that actually thinks they are the underdog the role that usually goes to the Gophers. Gophers have a good squad but cannot be complacent.

Kent State game is already going to be a tough sell for tickets because everyone knows that is a bad football team.
Colorado State is different, they do not play in a great conference but always seem to play rivals and out of conference teams from power conferences well. Gophers are in for a rude awakening if they think they can just show up and win the game on Saturday, especially if they think they are already better.

Minnesota's defense will be facing an offense that can fling the rock and have one of the better quarterbacks and wide receivers we will see all season. Gophers offense is going to need a lot more plays, need to win the turnover and time of possession battle this game. I'm excited for this game because it will show if the program is really maturing or growing or if all of that stuff is just talk. It is a lot harder being the hunted or playing the role of the hunted than the hunter, we cannot play the disrespect or no respect card this game. Go Gophers
 

gopherdudepart2 said:
There cannot be a letdown this game for Minnesota, Gophers need to win this football game or this season will not be what it could be. Losing this game in the teams mind should not be an option and I'm not saying they should be cocky, it is they should expect to play well and win and that starts in practice. If not, if they lose, this Gophers team is not going to reach it's potential against there rivals and winning the Big 10 West title will be a puff puff dream.
Lose this game, and it will be same old Gophers to the media all over the NEWS and sports fans in Minnesota and there will be crickets in the stands against Kent State. Savanah State is a bad program but you put up 65 points on anyone and that should get your attention as a defense and as a team. Gophers will need a lot of intensity and a much better performance from the QB and offense to win. The offense is going to have to step up it's game big time. People will mock the Gophers big time if they lose this game as settling and being just like all of the other teams with expectations that crashed or fell apart. The only way Leidner is going to silence some critics is to go out play well and actually lead the team to a win.

This Rams team is a good team with a lot of players back from a 10-3 squad, and they will be really up for facing the Gophers to make there mark, the simple fact that the Gophers played TCU tough will be making them believe they can make a name for themselves. This is not the usual underdog role the Gophers are accustomed to, they will be playing an opponent that is looking for bragging rights, and one that actually thinks they are the underdog the role that usually goes to the Gophers. Gophers have a good squad but cannot be complacent.

Kent State game is already going to be a tough sell for tickets because everyone knows that is a bad football team.
Colorado State is different, they do not play in a great conference but always seem to play rivals and out of conference teams from power conferences well. Gophers are in for a rude awakening if they think they can just show up and win the game on Saturday, especially if they think they are already better.

Minnesota's defense will be facing an offense that can fling the rock and have one of the better quarterbacks and wide receivers we will see all season. Gophers offense is going to need a lot more plays, need to win the turnover and time of possession battle this game. I'm excited for this game because it will show if the program is really maturing or growing or if all of that stuff is just talk. It is a lot harder being the hunted or playing the role of the hunted than the hunter, we cannot play the disrespect or no respect card this game. Go Gophers
Click to expand...

Dude, relax.
 

We should physically pound them up front. Followed both teams a long time and truly believe we will beat them by having good week of practice. I think it is important to note that Savannah State is an awful program. 1-24 in the last 25 games. They've routinely given up 50, 60, and 70 points in that stretch. 80+ points to Georgia Southern last year. While no game is a gimme, still believe that CSU is no where near the same level as TCU is and last week's game experience should help us in our preparation.
 

Game has the feeling of trap game for the Gophers

MNGoldenGophers1 said:
Dude, relax.
Click to expand...

A lot of people with the attitude that the Gophers are going to pound this team and should be physically dominate. I don't see it, the defense played a physically and mentally draining game last week and our best safety Travis got injured. Couple that with inconsistent play from the quarterback, a beat up offensive line that doesn't look like a great Big 10 line and there is reason to be concerned. Gophers need to develop some play-makers beyond KJ Maye. Leidner needs to be way sharper this week with his passing and if it hits you in the hands you need to catch the ball. If Rodney Smith is a horse he needs to be fed the football a lot and give the kid a chance to make plays.

CSU is better than most people think, we should have better talent but that has happened in the past and the Gophers have lost by turning the ball over and tackling poorly. Having to much confidence can be a problem, team needs to have a good week of practice. This is a key second non-conference game because the Gophers need to win and are a little beat up, up front some experienced players and depth are hurt.

Kent State(definition of pancake) and Ohio are patsy's and will not give the Gophers anything but a glorified practice working in the younger players. Gophers have to have a win this week to set the rest of the season up. I don't want the Gophers to get Roasted by the TC media by losing to CSU, even a close victory and the TC media is going to pile on and belittle the Gophers. This game is not going to be a cakewalk, going on the road never is and we are the name opponent this week with the Target on the Gophers back. You just never know how a team is going to react after an emotional loss. It was not a deflating game but it was a very physical football game. TCU game had a lot of beatings and beatings being exchanged by both teams. I don't care how conditioned your team is, you take that kind of pounding it takes a little time to get it back.
 


Let's see, the 4-3 defense is new this year, last year they couldn't get any penetration with the defensive line. They've changed from the spread to the pro set and have a new QB. Their best O-Lineman from last year is in the NFL They depend on the pass and use the running game as a change up. Our defense is very stout against the pass and was able to get pressure against a very good TCU line. Our offenese was able to move the ball at times on a defense coached by one of the best defensive coaches in the country. I'm not saying it'll be a cake walk but I like our chances.
 

nsmike said:
Let's see, the 4-3 defense is new this year, last year they couldn't get any penetration with the defensive line. They've changed from the spread to the pro set and have a new QB. Their best O-Lineman from last year is in the NFL They depend on the pass and use the running game as a change up. Our defense is very stout against the pass and was able to get pressure against a very good TCU line. Our offenese was able to move the ball at times on a defense coached by one of the best defensive coaches in the country. I'm not saying it'll be a cake walk but I like our chances.
Click to expand...

I didn't say I don't like our chances, but football is a weird game, and the ball bounces funny some times. Gophers need to be up for this game because like I said, were not the underdog in this one, and playing the role of the hunted is not easy. A mental let down from the hype of last week cannot carryover in to a hangover this week.
Preparation and getting the guys feeling good and acclimated to the altitude this week matters. Gophers need a good week of practice and do not fall in to the trap of thinking you can just show up and win based on the conference you play in. We have good coaches they should have them prepared, but young guys minds wander and you just never know how that odd shaped ball will bounce some times.
 

gopherdudepart2 said:
A lot of people with the attitude that the Gophers are going to pound this team and should be physically dominate. I don't see it, the defense played a physically and mentally draining game last week and our best safety Travis got injured. Couple that with inconsistent play from the quarterback, a beat up offensive line that doesn't look like a great Big 10 line and there is reason to be concerned. Gophers need to develop some play-makers beyond KJ Maye. Leidner needs to be way sharper this week with his passing and if it hits you in the hands you need to catch the ball. If Rodney Smith is a horse he needs to be fed the football a lot and give the kid a chance to make plays.

CSU is better than most people think, we should have better talent but that has happened in the past and the Gophers have lost by turning the ball over and tackling poorly. Having to much confidence can be a problem, team needs to have a good week of practice. This is a key second non-conference game because the Gophers need to win and are a little beat up, up front some experienced players and depth are hurt.

Kent State(definition of pancake) and Ohio are patsy's and will not give the Gophers anything but a glorified practice working in the younger players. Gophers have to have a win this week to set the rest of the season up. I don't want the Gophers to get Roasted by the TC media by losing to CSU, even a close victory and the TC media is going to pile on and belittle the Gophers. This game is not going to be a cakewalk, going on the road never is and we are the name opponent this week with the Target on the Gophers back. You just never know how a team is going to react after an emotional loss. It was not a deflating game but it was a very physical football game. TCU game had a lot of beatings and beatings being exchanged by both teams. I don't care how conditioned your team is, you take that kind of pounding it takes a little time to get it back.
Click to expand...

He's not saying you're wrong. He's just saying take off your battle paint and re-sheath your sword. It's only Tuesday :p
 

I didn't hear that Travis was hurt? Do we know how severe it is?
 



What is disconcerting to me is the health of the O-Line. Lauer & Campion hubbling, anyone else nursing injuries we don't about?

As the O-Line goes so does the game.
 

hungan1 said:
What is disconcerting to me is the health of the O-Line. Lauer & Campion hubbling, anyone else nursing injuries we don't about?

As the O-Line goes so does the game.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Super disappointing too. Coming into this year, the O-line was supposed to be one of our shiny areas.
 

If the defense plays good I think we win comfortably. If they have an off game things could get dicey
 

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 




If they lose 4 fumbles again, we win easy
 

I get the feeling that if Higgins plays, he will get a score or two (even with our man Murray draped all over him). I think they Gophers will need to score in the 30's to win.
 



You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom