0-fer trophy games. I think that probably speaks most about the progress that has (or hasn't) been made to the program. Probably the most pragmatic, and probably consensus expectation at the outset of the Brewster era was that the Gophers would become a team much like Iowa and Wisconsin - solid, competitive programs. That means beating Iowa and Wisconsin at least half of the time, and hopefully most of the time. It hasn't happened and it does not appear that this year will be any different.
A lot has been made about giving Brewster time, but how much time should he be given? If the cupboard was really that bare after Mason's firing, why shouldn't Brew's recruits be stepping up and making a meaningful impact now? And what of the JUCO guys? Why were recruits with questionable grades brought in for their expected immediate impact, if in fact none is made? And why should the U languish at or near the bottom of the Big 10 in graduation rates to get some of these guys into school, without seeing a corresponding improvement on the field? Maybe recruiting has improved over the Mason era, but so far the results have not been seen on the field, and it's come at a cost to academic integrity (not to mention the off the field issues that trickle out).
And what of the coaching? Dynamic is probably the last thing anyone would use to describe the U offense. I would hate to imagine the O without Eric Decker. I think Decker is probably underrated in the fact that he seems to be the only viable offensive option, everyone knows it, yet he can still make plays. Weber has been struggling, and I would venture he would have long been assigned to calling in plays if #7 hadn't been making impossible plays. The penalties are a killer and show a lack of discipline. The QB seems to have lost all ability to make a decision. The Defense, which seemed a bit more formidable against a Syracuse team that wouldn't finish in the top half of the MIAC and at time against Air Force, appears to be as unreliable as any of the past decade.
And how about the Big 10? There doesn't appear to be a formidable team in the conference this year. Iowa? Sure they beat Penn St., but they also needed two blocked field goal to beat UNI. Wisconsin hasn't shown anything yet. Ohio St.? Good but not great. Wisconsin didn't look good today as much as Minnesota looked bad. Beating Wofford sure didn't prove much to any body. The point here? In a year in which the Big 10 might have the other BCS conferences wondering why they split the pot with us, an improving Minnesota team should show the steps they've taken. Granted, there are 6 Big 10 games left, but there isn't one of those left that is an automatic "W", and from the way the Gophers have played, even in victory, there probably isn't a one in which they should be favored. The talk at the beginning of the season is that this team could be improved but could lose more games. After 5 weeks of football and considering the state of the Big 10, can anybody still say that?
I was all for giving Brewster more time, through the 1 win season and through the season ending losing streak last year. This year, I want to see an improved Gopher team and considering the weak Big 10, I think that means an upper half finish in the Big 10 and Floyd of Rosedale. If not, I think Maturi needs to fire up the search committee.
A lot has been made about giving Brewster time, but how much time should he be given? If the cupboard was really that bare after Mason's firing, why shouldn't Brew's recruits be stepping up and making a meaningful impact now? And what of the JUCO guys? Why were recruits with questionable grades brought in for their expected immediate impact, if in fact none is made? And why should the U languish at or near the bottom of the Big 10 in graduation rates to get some of these guys into school, without seeing a corresponding improvement on the field? Maybe recruiting has improved over the Mason era, but so far the results have not been seen on the field, and it's come at a cost to academic integrity (not to mention the off the field issues that trickle out).
And what of the coaching? Dynamic is probably the last thing anyone would use to describe the U offense. I would hate to imagine the O without Eric Decker. I think Decker is probably underrated in the fact that he seems to be the only viable offensive option, everyone knows it, yet he can still make plays. Weber has been struggling, and I would venture he would have long been assigned to calling in plays if #7 hadn't been making impossible plays. The penalties are a killer and show a lack of discipline. The QB seems to have lost all ability to make a decision. The Defense, which seemed a bit more formidable against a Syracuse team that wouldn't finish in the top half of the MIAC and at time against Air Force, appears to be as unreliable as any of the past decade.
And how about the Big 10? There doesn't appear to be a formidable team in the conference this year. Iowa? Sure they beat Penn St., but they also needed two blocked field goal to beat UNI. Wisconsin hasn't shown anything yet. Ohio St.? Good but not great. Wisconsin didn't look good today as much as Minnesota looked bad. Beating Wofford sure didn't prove much to any body. The point here? In a year in which the Big 10 might have the other BCS conferences wondering why they split the pot with us, an improving Minnesota team should show the steps they've taken. Granted, there are 6 Big 10 games left, but there isn't one of those left that is an automatic "W", and from the way the Gophers have played, even in victory, there probably isn't a one in which they should be favored. The talk at the beginning of the season is that this team could be improved but could lose more games. After 5 weeks of football and considering the state of the Big 10, can anybody still say that?
I was all for giving Brewster more time, through the 1 win season and through the season ending losing streak last year. This year, I want to see an improved Gopher team and considering the weak Big 10, I think that means an upper half finish in the Big 10 and Floyd of Rosedale. If not, I think Maturi needs to fire up the search committee.
