Minnesota/Illinois Pre-Game Thread: Articles, Links, Tweets & More

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Don't let them hang around, strike hard and fast. I like the idea of attacking downfield early, if they get burned early, the running game opens up. Or if we can establish the run early, the passing game opens up.
 


Honestly as a fan of all Minnesota sports, this game scares me. There are just too many intangible things that point to the Gophers having an advantage. Things like Illinois being on a losing streak, nothing to play for, lower ranked offense, lower ranked defense, lost two in a row to the Gophers, Gophers with a chance to become bowl eligible. The Gophers should come out fired up and Illinois should roll over at the slightest hint of resistance. But as a MN fan, I can really see Illinois playing their best game of the year and the Gophers coming out flat like they don't have to put their best effort on the field in order to win this game.

I really hope I'm wrong, but it seems everytime a Minnesota team has something to play for against a lessor opponent we always lose. I will not be suprised with any outcome Saturday. I don't mean to sound negative; just too many years of having my heart broke I guess.
 

Huckleberry said:
Honestly as a fan of all Minnesota sports, this game scares me. There are just too many intangible things that point to the Gophers having an advantage. Things like Illinois being on a losing streak, nothing to play for, lower ranked offense, lower ranked defense, lost two in a row to the Gophers, Gophers with a chance to become bowl eligible. The Gophers should come out fired up and Illinois should roll over at the slightest hint of resistance. But as a MN fan, I can really see Illinois playing their best game of the year and the Gophers coming out flat like they don't have to put their best effort on the field in order to win this game.

I really hope I'm wrong, but it seems everytime a Minnesota team has something to play for against a lessor opponent we always lose. I will not be suprised with any outcome Saturday. I don't mean to sound negative; just too many years of having my heart broke I guess.
Click to expand...

Dang it, you just said everything I am trying not to think.
 


Depth chart, injury report for Saturday:

558873_522501467762946_441887984_n.jpg
 



Damn Gopher07 - I was just getting ready to post my infamous Death Chart again but you beat me to it. Maybe next week.
 



Did you know? Week 11 in the Big Ten from ESPN B1G Ten Blog: By Adam Rittenberg

Minnesota’s three-game road winning streak at Illinois is the longest road winning streak against a Big Ten opponent since it won four straight at Northwestern from 1985-93. The Gophers' next longest road winning streak against a Big Ten opponent took place from 1965-75 when they downed Iowa six straight times on the road.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/64629/did-you-know-week-11-in-the-big-ten
 





Illinois looks for a win to end losing streak while Minnesota aims for bigger prize - Star Tribune

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Minnesota comes to Illinois Saturday looking for the win that will make the Gophers eligible for a bowl game for the first time since 2009.

The Illini are just looking for the win that will break their six-game losing streak.

Some players for Minnesota (5-4, 1-4 Big Ten) see the week as a playoff game. Wide receiver Derrick Engel said it's like a must win.

Illinois (2-7, 0-5) is out of the bowl discussion. Coach Tim Beckman said it's important to get a win just to feel good again as the team heads to the locker room at the end of the game Saturday.

Both Engel and leading receiver A.J. Barker will be out with injuries. The Illini will be without leading tackler Jonathan Brown .

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/178105311.html
 

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