Looking at the schedule....

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mcrow

mcrow

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I don't think we're going to know anything about the team until the 4th game.

First 3 oppoenents have 6 wins combined from last season.

Not sure I like Kill going to the creampuff scedule. Is there really any value in scheduling teams that function no different than scheduling a scrimmage?
 

mcrow said:
Sorry, but I was just looking at the schedule and thinking about how the non-conf schedule plays in developing the team. Just seems like they want to schedule scrimmages or Kill is trying to make his record look better.
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Game 1 - they play UNLV, who took them to three overtimes in last year's opener and should be better this year with a sophomore QB (freshman last year) and another year under a good coach. This game will tell us whether the Gophers are better prepared from a coaching standpoint and more physically dominant than last year.

Game 2 - New Mexico State beat the Gophers two seasons ago. Hopefully they stomp this creampuff and get some revenge. At least they can use the opportunity to put an ugly part of the past behind them.

Game 3 - Western Illinois - Coach Kill has years of experience in the directional Illinoises. This game is a natural for him.

Game 4 - San Jose State was ranked near the end of 2012, weren't they? This is a very respectable game.

Bottom line: Only one of the nonconference games (W Ill) fails to interest me, and I think we'll learn something about the Gophers in the first week.
 


No reason why we shouldn't be 4-0 in the non-conf. Not too worried about UNLV, I think we'll prove it was a bit of a fluke that it took 3 OT's to beat them last year. We did miss 5 or 6 wide open guys for TD's that would've broke the game open. Games 2 and 3 generate no interest for me at all (other than the fact that it's the Gophers), and we should win both games handily. SJSU should be a good game, but one that I would expect us to win. Of course, this is all based on me thinking that Jerry has made the improvements we all expect in year 3. I guess we shall see, should be a fun year!
 

Western Illinois is interesting because their new head coach is Bob Nielsen, who led UMD to a pair of D2 national titles in recent years.
 


We won't learn anything about this team until Iowa, unless we drop a game then we will know that we're in trouble.
 

When's the last time we looked dominant throughout the non-conference schedule? If we can do that we'll learn that we have our best team since the Mason "Glory Years."
 

Any win is a good win. This team will improve more and more quickly if they are invited to a bowl game again in 2013. That is my goal for this season: an invitation for my Gophers to a bowl game. I would also like a border battle win if possible. Finally, I would be very happy to attend which ever bowl game my Gophers get invited to. Last season: destination Houston, TX. This seasons destination: ? Don't know exactly when...don't know where...but if the Gophers go bowling, I will too!

; 0 )
 

mcrow said:
I don't think we're going to know anything about the team until the 4th game.

First 3 oppoenents have 6 wins combined from last season.

Not sure I like Kill going to the creampuff scedule. Is there really any value in scheduling teams that function no different than scheduling a scrimmage?
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There is value to Kill. If he can pad his win totals and get to a bowl, he gets a bonus.
 



fridge2012 said:
No reason why we shouldn't be 4-0 in the non-conf. Not too worried about UNLV, I think we'll prove it was a bit of a fluke that it took 3 OT's to beat them last year. We did miss 5 or 6 wide open guys for TD's that would've broke the game open. Games 2 and 3 generate no interest for me at all (other than the fact that it's the Gophers), and we should win both games handily. SJSU should be a good game, but one that I would expect us to win. Of course, this is all based on me thinking that Jerry has made the improvements we all expect in year 3. I guess we shall see, should be a fun year!
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It was not a fluke, we missed wide open guys all yearexcept against Purdue. That was the norm for last year.
 

mcrow said:
I don't think we're going to know anything about the team until the 4th game.

First 3 oppoenents have 6 wins combined from last season.

Not sure I like Kill going to the creampuff scedule. Is there really any value in scheduling teams that function no different than scheduling a scrimmage?
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It builds confidence and helps keep players a little more healthy and fresh compared to if they played tougher non-conference games. Once Kill gets the talent and depth of the program to where he wants I think he'll kick up the schedule.
 

GopherGod said:
There is value to Kill. If he can pad his win totals and get to a bowl, he gets a bonus.
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So you think a coach making 1.2 million makes important scheduling decisions based on a 25,000 bonus? I doubt it.
 

IMO, it's just like last year, but the locations and order of the games are a little different. UNLV at home s/b the equivalent of WMU. Decent team, but no reason they should lose. Being that it's the first game, that's the wildcard. Heading out to NMSU is like playing at UNLV. Crap team in crap weather, but the Gophers should prevail, even if it's a lot closer than it should be. W.Illinois equals NH. Cakewalk for the Gophers. Plenty of work at QB for Leidner in mop up time. SJSU will be a test. They're decent. They aren't a BCS school like Syracuse, but they're on par for talent. After backing out of UNC, there's no reason for them not to be 4-0. If you think the media hasn't been kind to this point, it'll get a lot, lot worse if they have a loss when the Greg Garmon/Marcus Coker all-stars come to town.
 



imthewalrus said:
Any win is a good win. This team will improve more and more quickly if they are invited to a bowl game again in 2013. That is my goal for this season: an invitation for my Gophers to a bowl game. I would also like a border battle win if possible. Finally, I would be very happy to attend which ever bowl game my Gophers get invited to. Last season: destination Houston, TX. This seasons destination: ? Don't know exactly when...don't know where...but if the Gophers go bowling, I will too!

; 0 )
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What? What does this have to do with big TEN wins vs BIG ten losses, which according to you is the ONLY measure of a TEAM and HOW they are doing against OTHER teams in the BIG TEN, and the ONLY way to JUDGE if the TEAM is WORTHY of being a big ten team, and we NEED to see how THEY do vs BIG TEN TEAMS!
 

If Jerry wins 3 big ten games I will be satisfied with the year. We should at LEAST beat 3 non conference teams, so that's a bowl game. If our passing game improves, I think we got a great shot. I am convinced we will be able to run decent on most teams, so if we can pass good enough, we will score more like 20 pts a game instead of 13.
 

GopherSteak said:
If Jerry wins 3 big ten games I will be satisfied with the year. We should at LEAST beat 3 non conference teams, so that's a bowl game. If our passing game improves, I think we got a great shot. I am convinced we will be able to run decent on most teams, so if we can pass good enough, we will score more like 20 pts a game instead of 13.
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?? We averaged 22.1 points per game last year.
 


GopherInPittsburgh said:
?? We averaged 22.1 points per game last year.
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The Gophers lost to Iowa 31-13. They lost to Northwestern 21-13. They lost to Wisconsin 38-13. They lost to Michigan 35-13.

So the 13 figure represents a pattern rather than an average. I think most of us recognize that.
 

Breakin' The Plane said:
IMO, it's just like last year, but the locations and order of the games are a little different. UNLV at home s/b the equivalent of WMU. Decent team, but no reason they should lose. Being that it's the first game, that's the wildcard. Heading out to NMSU is like playing at UNLV. Crap team in crap weather, but the Gophers should prevail, even if it's a lot closer than it should be. W.Illinois equals NH. Cakewalk for the Gophers. Plenty of work at QB for Leidner in mop up time. SJSU will be a test. They're decent. They aren't a BCS school like Syracuse, but they're on par for talent. After backing out of UNC, there's no reason for them not to be 4-0. If you think the media hasn't been kind to this point, it'll get a lot, lot worse if they have a loss when the Greg Garmon/Marcus Coker all-stars come to town.
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Had to laugh at this considering it is still snowing outside as I look out the window
 

I really like this years schedule alot! I really think we have a shot at 7 or 8 wins this year. That would be very impressive from where we were. I just love the way kill runs practice and makes everyone play for something. No one is given a position the best players will play.
 

Parski1 said:
(4-0)....then playing Iowa for the pig!
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im not sure Iowa will show you anything either. Iowa will struggle to find 4 wins all season this year. It been awhile since Ive said this is going to be a long season AND looking forward to basketball season.
 

MspHawk said:
im not sure Iowa will show you anything either. Iowa will struggle to find 4 wins all season this year. It been awhile since Ive said this is going to be a long season AND looking forward to basketball season.
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And then Ferentz will somehow have a 9 win season.
 

The schedule is quite weak both in and OOC. In that context it is particularly frustrating that Kill felt it so important to force the new AD to make an unpopular and costly move to cancel the UNC game on relatively short notice. That has been discussed ad nauseum, but again, when you look at the context the schedule was already set up pretty well. The only tough road environment is Michigan, which actually isn't that intimidating relative to crowd size from what I've read. All the other major rivalry games are at home, and tOSU is off the schedule. You could hardly ask for a more favorable schedule aside from trading PSU for Illinois, but Indiana is back on the schedule so how much more can you ask?

The 2013 schedule seems easier than 2012, so 8 wins (+1 for improvement, +1 for easier schedule) should be the floor for evaluating success. 6-7 would be acceptable, but not progress.
 

I'm tired of all this moaning about the supposed weakness of our non conference schedule. Until we can play at least .500 ball in conference, the non conference schedule is meaningless, we're going to be relegated to lower tier bowl games, Let's get to playing .500 ball in conference first and then worry about it.
 

nsmike said:
I'm tired of all this moaning about the supposed weakness of our non conference schedule. Until we can play at least .500 ball in conference, the non conference schedule is meaningless, we're going to be relegated to lower tier bowl games, Let's get to playing .500 ball in conference first and then worry about it.
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Two sides of this argument for me....weaker non conference games will get us into Bowl games for now. We do NEED that exposure, so I get what Kill is doing in that sense. The only negative is as a season ticket holder I don't get too excited about those teams coming into TCF. Not to beat a dead horse....but that's what pissed me off about buying out North Carolina. They were an equal opponent we could beat at home, which I was interested in seeing on Gameday.
 

I'd rather watch us beat New Hampshire than lose to USC 10 times out of 10. Some may disagree, but if I'm going to the game I'd rather drunkenly cheer for touchdowns than get all stressed out and disappointed.
 


A relatively weak non-conf schedule (or at least one that is perceived as relatively weak) is a no-win situation. If the Gophs run the table in non-conf, the media will give them no credit, because "you should beat those teams." On the other hand, if the Gophs happen to lose a non-conf game, the media will roast them for "no being able to beat weaker opponents."

And beyond that, I firmly believe that you get better by facing better opposition. How many times have we gotten excited after the non-conf schedule, only to see the Gophs lay an egg in one of the 1st conference games of the season.

I think the decision to drop North Carolina - whether you lay the blame on Kill or Teague - is one that will hang over this program for a long time. Whether it's fair or not, it creates the perception that the Gophs are afraid to face a quality non-conf opponent.

If, in fact, Iowa is down this year, we really won't know what kind of a team the Gophs have until the game at Michigan.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
A relatively weak non-conf schedule (or at least one that is perceived as relatively weak) is a no-win situation. If the Gophs run the table in non-conf, the media will give them no credit, because "you should beat those teams." On the other hand, if the Gophs happen to lose a non-conf game, the media will roast them for "no being able to beat weaker opponents."

And beyond that, I firmly believe that you get better by facing better opposition. How many times have we gotten excited after the non-conf schedule, only to see the Gophs lay an egg in one of the 1st conference games of the season.


Do you really think any B1G game, at home or on the road will be easy this year?

I am hoping for the Gophers to get a bowl invitation. Hang on to that Carolina buy out if you want, but as for me, I firmly believe that no bowl invitation for the Gophers in 2013 would be pretty devastating...for Coach Kill and his Gopher Football Program.

Hearing Gopher Fans saying a TOUGHER schedule is the answer for football astounds me. The fact that no one seems to realize that having a lot of wins in the Men's Hoops program this past winter managed to secure that program an NCAA Tournament Bid. All those cupcake wins the hoops program had when they were sitting 15-1 insured they would go to the tournament.

Never count on anything in Big Ten Play...NEVER. But, for a coach, the record vs. Conference teams lets everyone know how the team...how the coach...how the program compares to all the other conference member teams, coaches and it is the ooc record that pretty much determines IF our Gopher Hoopster will be invited to the tournament.

I think the decision to drop North Carolina - whether you lay the blame on Kill or Teague - is one that will hang over this program for a long time. Whether it's fair or not, it creates the perception that the Gophs are afraid to face a quality non-conf opponent.

I think it was not that hard to convince the new norwood to buy out that Carolina game. He knows...and Coach Kill knows that neither of them will last very long if the Football Program is not invited to a bowl game and does not start competing better against conference foes. In the year 2013, the team is making progress, but is still in a stage where it will not be invited to a bowl game by beating the likes of Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska, on a regular basis. How long has it been since they have beaten wisky? Northwestern certainly is not an easy game. Anyone that thinks it would not help iowa to come to Minneapolis and beat the Gophers had best not be surprised if this game Is a barn=burner tough, hard hitting affair. And Indiana presents lots of teams problems.

Our Gophers have MORE than a tough enough schedule in 2013. It was the new norwood's BEST move, to date to buy out that Carolina game...his best move so far...

; 0 )
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imthewalrus said:
short ornery norwegian said:
A relatively weak non-conf schedule (or at least one that is perceived as relatively weak) is a no-win situation. If the Gophs run the table in non-conf, the media will give them no credit, because "you should beat those teams." On the other hand, if the Gophs happen to lose a non-conf game, the media will roast them for "no being able to beat weaker opponents."

And beyond that, I firmly believe that you get better by facing better opposition. How many times have we gotten excited after the non-conf schedule, only to see the Gophs lay an egg in one of the 1st conference games of the season.


Do you really think any B1G game, at home or on the road will be easy this year?

I am hoping for the Gophers to get a bowl invitation. Hang on to that Carolina buy out if you want, but as for me, I firmly believe that no bowl invitation for the Gophers in 2013 would be pretty devastating...for Coach Kill and his Gopher Football Program.

Hearing Gopher Fans saying a TOUGHER schedule is the answer for football astounds me. The fact that no one seems to realize that having a lot of wins in the Men's Hoops program this past winter managed to secure that program an NCAA Tournament Bid. All those cupcake wins the hoops program had when they were sitting 15-1 insured they would go to the tournament.
Never count on anything in Big Ten Play...NEVER. But, for a coach, the record vs. Conference teams lets everyone know how the team...how the coach...how the program compares to all the other conference member teams, coaches and it is the ooc record that pretty much determines IF our Gopher Hoopster will be invited to the tournament.

I think the decision to drop North Carolina - whether you lay the blame on Kill or Teague - is one that will hang over this program for a long time. Whether it's fair or not, it creates the perception that the Gophs are afraid to face a quality non-conf opponent.

I think it was not that hard to convince the new norwood to buy out that Carolina game. He knows...and Coach Kill knows that neither of them will last very long if the Football Program is not invited to a bowl game and does not start competing better against conference foes. In the year 2013, the team is making progress, but is still in a stage where it will not be invited to a bowl game by beating the likes of Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska, on a regular basis. How long has it been since they have beaten wisky? Northwestern certainly is not an easy game. Anyone that thinks it would not help iowa to come to Minneapolis and beat the Gophers had best not be surprised if this game Is a barn=burner tough, hard hitting affair. And Indiana presents lots of teams problems.

Our Gophers have MORE than a tough enough schedule in 2013. It was the new norwood's BEST move, to date to buy out that Carolina game...his best move so far...

; 0 )
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I disagree with the bolded part the basketball team got into the tournament because of their high profile wins, good RPI, and a pretty good overall strength of schedule. The Gopher's basketball non-conference schedule included high profile teams which gets more people excited like Duke, Florida State, Memphis, Stanford, USC, and also inclued a tournament team South Dakota State. I do think not having the North Carolina game gives this team a better chance to get to a bowl game but it is not like North Carolina is a great football team ad we would have been severly overmatched. I really wanted to see this team play against a more well known school and a school that would also provide some good competition like North Carolina but I guess we have to wait another year or 2 to see something like that.
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