BleedGopher
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per ESPN:
Minnesota
It's not a big surprise to see the Gophers at 3-0. They've been solid the past few years and a fringe West Division contender.
Head coach Tracy Claeys made changes on offense last year in bringing in new coordinator Jay Johnson and emphasizing the power run game. So far, it appears to be working. Minnesota is averaging 39.7 ppg -- the team scored only 50 points total in the first three games of 2015 -- and has rushed for 228 yards per game.
Yet this is a team that has shown it's more than capable of competing in the Big Ten, and its next five games after this week -- at home versus a suddenly struggling Iowa, at Maryland, vs. Rutgers, at Illinois and vs. Purdue -- are all winnable.
That's why this week's game in State College could be pivotal.
"Our goal last season was to get to the Big Ten championship game, and this is where it starts now," quarterback Mitch Leidner said. "We've got to come out and play fast and physical and show teams what we're capable of doing in the Big Ten."
It remains a bit of a mystery exactly what Minnesota and Maryland are fully capable of in the Big Ten. At least they enter conference play on the right track.
http://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/...der-the-radar-are-maryland-minnesota-for-real
Go Gophers!!
Minnesota
It's not a big surprise to see the Gophers at 3-0. They've been solid the past few years and a fringe West Division contender.
Head coach Tracy Claeys made changes on offense last year in bringing in new coordinator Jay Johnson and emphasizing the power run game. So far, it appears to be working. Minnesota is averaging 39.7 ppg -- the team scored only 50 points total in the first three games of 2015 -- and has rushed for 228 yards per game.
Yet this is a team that has shown it's more than capable of competing in the Big Ten, and its next five games after this week -- at home versus a suddenly struggling Iowa, at Maryland, vs. Rutgers, at Illinois and vs. Purdue -- are all winnable.
That's why this week's game in State College could be pivotal.
"Our goal last season was to get to the Big Ten championship game, and this is where it starts now," quarterback Mitch Leidner said. "We've got to come out and play fast and physical and show teams what we're capable of doing in the Big Ten."
It remains a bit of a mystery exactly what Minnesota and Maryland are fully capable of in the Big Ten. At least they enter conference play on the right track.
http://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/...der-the-radar-are-maryland-minnesota-for-real
Go Gophers!!
