Holiday Bowl 2016

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This game will be in grass which is only our second game this year on natural grass.


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MaxyJR1 said:
This game will be in grass which is only our second game this year on natural grass.


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It's legal out there now. Though maybe not until 2017.
 


This is an interesting matchup. It is strength on strength. The Pirate vs Sawvel. Big Ten vs a "terrible" PAC-12 (not my words) so we have a prove-it game. WSU dropped a few headscratchers, were up and down in the regular season then were soundly defeated by Colorado and Washington.

If we pull it off it is a quality win.
 

Had already scoped out going to Nashville...even figured out total roundtrip airfare for 2 at $308...found lodging right outside downtown for $150/night...and so on.

The best laid plans...

Anyway, I'm sure it will be a fun trip for those who go or already live out there.
 



Love San Diego and the opponent is near-perfect. Should be a wild game and a lot of fun.
 

The silver lining is that this is a game we aren't supposed to win, so if we don't that is OK.


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minibeaver said:
Selfishly, was hoping Music City. I could have made the trip. But overall we ended up with a better destination.
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Weather in Nashville iffy this time of year, plus stadium will be filled with Tennessee fans and it's an afternoon TV offering. Much better exposure for Gophers playing in a popular CA bowl at night against a wild and crazy team like WSU. San Diego is a superb destination, too.
 



Face The Facts said:
I was watching the WI PSU game last night and I noticed the PSU QB could throw downfield and complete passes which helped PSU win.

I'm hoping some year we can find a QB who can throw passes.
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PSU passing was awesome in second half. We do need a QB at that level to seriously challenge for the B10 title. Ten year drought at present.
 

Spoofin said:
The silver lining is that this is a game we aren't supposed to win, so if we don't that is OK.


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This. Honestly, out of the games since Kill and co. took over, we were only suppose to win 2 (last year and Syracuse) and we finally won one last year. I don't have high hopes on the game. Washington State was ranked at one point and is very good.

I do like the game has a parade to go along with it. It was fun seeing the Citrus parade air locally after the game (even though we lost), but it was still fun. Also good for the marching band as well. I don't know though if this parade is nationally syndicated though. :( It's suppose to be the largest balloon parade in the United States
 

amk8930 said:
I don't have high hopes on the game. Washington State was ranked at one point and is very good.
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What makes them very good? 8-4? Loss to FCS team? 1-3 against bowl teams? Lost to Boise who beat Colorado State by about what the Gophers did.

Both teams are in the 30-40 range for ranking based on season.
 

MaxyJR1 said:
What makes them very good? 8-4? Loss to FCS team? 1-3 against bowl teams? Lost to Boise who beat Colorado State by about what the Gophers did.

Both teams are in the 30-40 range for ranking based on season.
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Sagarin has them ranked 13th.
 



This is an ideal matchup. We find ourselves in a decent bowl against a decent opponent. Both teams are 8-4 coming off tough loses against rivals to end the season. Since Claeys was an excellent DC and with almost a month to game plan, this is a great opportunity for him to come up with a strategy to stop Leach's offense and get that signature win or whatever you want to call it.

Seldom should a season be judged by the results of one game but this might be one of those exceptions. If we win, I think we can declare the season a success and Claeys gets the monkey off his back for now. However if we lose, the season is a disappointment given we have an empty trophy case and an empty feeling after losing a bowl game. Along with a loss I think it would be fair to put Claeys on the hot seat and, barring bizarre circumstances like a mid season Zika virus outbreak, to expect at least eight wins next year.
 

Very happy with the Holiday Bowl. Good traditional bowl game in a great location. Should be a blast.
 


GophersInIowa said:
You also probably noticed their WRs did a great job adjusting and making a play on the ball. A few times their QB just threw it up. Both ends of our passing game needs to improve.
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You nailed it. PSU has some really nice receivers. The Gophers started throwing deep the past few games with some success and I would argue that Leidner throws a very good deep pass.

I like this matchup and the Gophers have a great shot at winning.
 

AuEGO4 said:
Ha I also moved away to the east coast, but it was this past summer after 7 years living there. If anyone wants any recommendations I'm here for ya.

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The Mission for breakfast...
 

So it's begun already...downplaying the opponent until we're in a no-win situation.

If Gophers win, it's another mediocre victory because WSU isn't very good.
If Gophers lose, the staff should be fired because WSU isn't very good.
 

I was fortunate to attend 4 Holiday Bowls at Qualcomm in the past because I was visiting relatives nearby. Here are my impressions of the seating if my fellow Gopher fans want to consider them when buying your tickets: There is a lot of sideline space between the field and seats on the sides, and the lower level seating (Field and Plaza) is shallow angled compared to TCF. So for Field level seats on the side I preferred at least midway up, otherwise you'll be watching the backs of the players on the bench; not sure they if they still sell the tickets in the lower half or if they're now covered. The first few rows of the Plaza level are OK, further back I thought the view was too far from the action, but maybe that was just me. I thought the Club level seating was good on the sides. If you don't mind the view from an end zone, I thought the Field level end zone seats were acceptable to good because they are elevated and there is little space between the field and stands. The light rail trolley stops right at Qualcomm. Let's see a good turnout from the alumni in southern cal, it will help future bowl invitations.
 

metrolax said:
We'll have some success on the ground, but Leidner wont be able to help himself. He'll
force some throws and get picked. On a drive, we'll run it five times for 45 yards, then he'll
force something into triple coverage trying to be a hero.
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So, you're saying that the Offensive Coordinator/QB coach and the rest of the offensive staff cannot or will not make any corrections/adjustments as a result of the Wisconsin meltdown. We'll see.
Personally, if the Gophs come out and show no adjustments since the end of the season, I will spend most of the game swearing and throwing things.
 

As of early November I had my flights arranged for San Diego from Dec 26 - Jan 1 to meet up with my dad and sister and her family along with Mrs. GoGophersRah and the little Rahs. Ever since, I have had my fingers crossed for the Holiday Bowl. Sometimes Christmas wishes do come true.

This will be my 5th bowl (2004, 05, 06 & 14). Hoping for a win.

Personally, I like the matchup. The fighting Leaches are definately a good offense, but I'm not so convinced that they can handle our physicality.

I think Minnesota will travel much better to SD than will Wazzou.

Rah!
 

Go Gophers Rah said:
As of early November I had my flights arranged for San Diego from Dec 26 - Jan 1 to meet up with my dad and sister and her family along with Mrs. GoGophersRah and the little Rahs. Ever since, I have had my fingers crossed for the Holiday Bowl. Sometimes Christmas wishes do come true.

This will be my 5th bowl (2004, 05, 06 & 14). Hoping for a win.

Personally, I like the matchup. The fighting Leaches are definately a good offense, but I'm not so convinced that they can handle our physicality.

I think Minnesota will travel much better to SD than will Wazzou.

Rah!
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Congratulations on getting that wish! I was personally hoping for Nashville, but it's cool to hear stories like this. Have a great time and cheer loud!
 

MGGopher said:
So it's begun already...downplaying the opponent until we're in a no-win situation.

If Gophers win, it's another mediocre victory because WSU isn't very good.
If Gophers lose, the staff should be fired because WSU isn't very good.
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If we win it is possibly our only win vs a winning Power 5 team (pending the NW tilt vs Pitt). I don't think many people will downplay beating WSU. It will be our best win, on paper. It will possibly help with closing the deal on recruiting. If we don't show up and get humiliated that's not a good look and it will confirm naysayer's opinion of the team. Claeys needs to get this done. With the time to heal up and game plan this is a chance to make a statement or leave a sour taste for next year.
 

A victory is essential so I don't have to hear for an entire offseason about the Claeys doubters and lack of direction in the program. We really need this win.
 


Bleacher Report says 42-27 Washington State. Sounds about right to project we give up 21 more than our average and score less.


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die hard gopher said:
A victory is essential so I don't have to hear for an entire offseason about the Claeys doubters and lack of direction in the program. We really need this win.
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No worries - the haters will whine, piss, and moan the entire offseason regardless. If we win, the narrative will be that it was a meaningless exhibition, that WSU was unmotivated and not trying, that it was a fluke, that bowl wins shouldn't count toward the record, and any other garbage nonsense you can think of. That combined with the oh-so-hilarious weight "jokes," rips on his manner of dress, his speech patterns, etc. will make for a long and tedious offseason whether we win or lose.
 

dpodoll68 said:
No worries - the haters will whine, piss, and moan the entire offseason regardless. If we win, the narrative will be that it was a meaningless exhibition, that WSU was unmotivated and not trying, that it was a fluke, that bowl wins shouldn't count toward the record, and any other garbage nonsense you can think of. That combined with the oh-so-hilarious weight "jokes," rips on his manner of dress, his speech patterns, etc. will make for a long and tedious offseason whether we win or lose.
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And still less annoying than martyrdom posts like this.
 


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