BleedGopher
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per ESPN:
Most intriguing matchup: Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush against the Minnesota secondary
The Gophers (7-5) weren’t able to stay all that healthy in the defensive backfield and they didn’t snag many interceptions this season, but with cornerbacks Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun on the field, throwing the ball is never going to be easy for any quarterback. The Chippewas have a good one in Rush, a sleeper prospect for the NFL draft, but he’ll be tested by Minnesota’s terrific tandem on the perimeter. Even with only nine total interceptions, the Gophers still finished No. 5 in the Big Ten by allowing just 182 yards per game through the air, providing the makings of what should be a fun matchup with Rush as he comes off a season that included more than 3,700 passing yards.
Minnesota breakout candidate: DE Theiren Cockran
The senior hasn’t quite been able to recapture the statistical magic he produced while leading the Gophers as a sophomore, and his seven sacks over the last two seasons don’t even match what he produced during that breakout campaign that had professional scouts drooling over his potential. Cockran is still an impact performer, though, and there’s not much doubt that he will be motivated to end his career on a high note, which could make him a handful for a Central Michigan offensive line that gives up more than two sacks per game.
Key to victory: Cut it loose in the passing game
Overall the Gophers still remain a work in progress throwing the football, but that rebuilding effort appeared to be heading in the right direction late in the year. After failing to throw for more than 300 yards in any game during the first half of the season, quarterback Mitch Leidner helped produce three of them during the closing stretch, including a 317-yard outing in a near upset of Michigan that showed how dangerous the offense can be when the threat of the pass exists. Issues with accuracy for Leidner and a relative lack of explosive playmakers at wide receiver persist for the Gophers, but with the benefit of some extra practices this month, they have an unexpected opportunity to continue taking strides toward improvement.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...ng-extra-opportunity-against-central-michigan
Go Gophers!!
Most intriguing matchup: Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush against the Minnesota secondary
The Gophers (7-5) weren’t able to stay all that healthy in the defensive backfield and they didn’t snag many interceptions this season, but with cornerbacks Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun on the field, throwing the ball is never going to be easy for any quarterback. The Chippewas have a good one in Rush, a sleeper prospect for the NFL draft, but he’ll be tested by Minnesota’s terrific tandem on the perimeter. Even with only nine total interceptions, the Gophers still finished No. 5 in the Big Ten by allowing just 182 yards per game through the air, providing the makings of what should be a fun matchup with Rush as he comes off a season that included more than 3,700 passing yards.
Minnesota breakout candidate: DE Theiren Cockran
The senior hasn’t quite been able to recapture the statistical magic he produced while leading the Gophers as a sophomore, and his seven sacks over the last two seasons don’t even match what he produced during that breakout campaign that had professional scouts drooling over his potential. Cockran is still an impact performer, though, and there’s not much doubt that he will be motivated to end his career on a high note, which could make him a handful for a Central Michigan offensive line that gives up more than two sacks per game.
Key to victory: Cut it loose in the passing game
Overall the Gophers still remain a work in progress throwing the football, but that rebuilding effort appeared to be heading in the right direction late in the year. After failing to throw for more than 300 yards in any game during the first half of the season, quarterback Mitch Leidner helped produce three of them during the closing stretch, including a 317-yard outing in a near upset of Michigan that showed how dangerous the offense can be when the threat of the pass exists. Issues with accuracy for Leidner and a relative lack of explosive playmakers at wide receiver persist for the Gophers, but with the benefit of some extra practices this month, they have an unexpected opportunity to continue taking strides toward improvement.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...ng-extra-opportunity-against-central-michigan
Go Gophers!!
