Minnesota/Nebraska Pre-game Thread

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Gopher07

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We're 18.5 point underdogs in Lincoln this Saturday. ESPN has their initial preview up:

Minnesota (6-4, 2-4) at No. 14 Nebraska (8-2, 5-1), 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network: Nebraska's march to play Wisconsin in Indianapolis seems inevitable, but that would be a dangerous sentiment for the Huskers to embrace now. Minnesota, after reaching bowl eligibility for the first time since 2009, might be able to play a little looser now with nothing really to lose. Still, this will be a stiff challenge for the Gophers and true freshman quarterback Philip Nelson on the road in Lincoln. This might actually be a week where Nebraska doesn't need a miracle comeback.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/64933/big-ten-week-12-preview-2
 

Some Nebraska fans have been iffy about this, cause they say their team always blows a home game it shouldn't. I would be ecstatic if this is it lol.
 

It has the potential to be a pretty amped and emotional game, with it being Senior Day and also Tom Osborne's last home game as the AD. There is a movement by some fans to have Osborne lead the team onto the field one last time, which if that happened the place would go nuts. I doubt that will happen, more likely to have a big halftime ceremony with tons of his former players so as to not take away from The seniors. Either way it should be a good environment for the Gophers and hopefully all fans will enjoy themselves.
 

I would be ecstatic about a win, but sadly I think without at least one Olsen we are in trouble on the offensive line. Love an upset!
 

We have not really faced a great running QB yet this year that I can think of. We have faced a few mobile guys but we missed Denard and most of our BIG games have featured fairly immobile QB's to date. With our difficulties in stopping the run I am very concerned about how we manage to keep Martinez from running wild against us.
 


From the ESPN Chat yesterday:

Alec (Twin Cities, MN) [via mobile]: Given Nebraska wins there next two regular season games, do you think they could find themselves in the top 10 of the BCS going into the CCG against Wisconsin?
Brian Bennett: Beating Minnesota and Iowa isn't going to impress too many poll voters. It will be more about what happens to the teams above Nebraska. If several lose, the Huskers could move up into that range

Michael (Los Feliz, CA): Brian, How bout those Gophers? How bout 'em?Question for ya, If Sparty beats Northwestern this week, but Minnesota beats Sparty next week, Sparty will be 6-6, Gophers 7-5, and Cats 7-5. If this happens does Minnesota get picked ahead of both in the bowl pecking order? I think they do since Minnesota has a bigger fanbase, better attendance, etc. than Northwestern, and the Gophers would have more Ws and the head to head advantage over Sparty.
Brian Bennett: Ski-U-Mah! It's really great story to see Minnesota get back to a bowl. Bowls like teams with excited fan bases and momentum. Your scenario might be enough to move the Gophers up a notch or two in the bowl pecking order. By here's my question: Do you really want that, because it likely means playing a very good team, perhaps one from the SEC.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/65041/big-ten-monday-chat-wrap-34

Go Gophers!!
 

ESPN Tweet: Pelini on Minnesota: Much improved over a year ago. Kill took over a tough situation and you've seen them steadily getting better, believing

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
From the ESPN Chat yesterday:

Alec (Twin Cities, MN) [via mobile]: Given Nebraska wins there next two regular season games, do you think they could find themselves in the top 10 of the BCS going into the CCG against Wisconsin?
Brian Bennett: Beating Minnesota and Iowa isn't going to impress too many poll voters. It will be more about what happens to the teams above Nebraska. If several lose, the Huskers could move up into that range

Michael (Los Feliz, CA): Brian, How bout those Gophers? How bout 'em?Question for ya, If Sparty beats Northwestern this week, but Minnesota beats Sparty next week, Sparty will be 6-6, Gophers 7-5, and Cats 7-5. If this happens does Minnesota get picked ahead of both in the bowl pecking order? I think they do since Minnesota has a bigger fanbase, better attendance, etc. than Northwestern, and the Gophers would have more Ws and the head to head advantage over Sparty.
Brian Bennett: Ski-U-Mah! It's really great story to see Minnesota get back to a bowl. Bowls like teams with excited fan bases and momentum. Your scenario might be enough to move the Gophers up a notch or two in the bowl pecking order. By here's my question: Do you really want that, because it likely means playing a very good team, perhaps one from the SEC.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/65041/big-ten-monday-chat-wrap-34

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

Goodness gracious, Bennett sucks.
 

He says playing against a good team in a bowl game is something fans do not want? Sheesh!!

Sent from my PLAYSTATION PHONE using tapatalk
 






Dienhart: Week 12 Big Ten questions

"Minnesota
Can the defense pick up where it left off at Illinois, when the Golden Gophers yielded just three points? Minnesota is No. 4 in the league in total defense (336.8 ypg) and No. 6 in scoring defense (22.3 ppg) but will face a Nebraska attack that is No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (482.4 ypg) and No. 2 in scoring (37.4 ppg)."

http://btn.com/2012/11/13/dienhart-week-12-big-ten-questions/?cmp=user+shared+twitter

Go Gophers!!
 








Goldy Gopher Style:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CA-jai_SHvc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 





Minnesota Golden Gophers at No. 16 Nebraska Cornhuskers: Preview, prediction, TV info

The game comes down to: Can Minnesota stop the run? The Gophers have the No. 25 ranked defense in the country, allowing just 338 yards per game and yielded a mere three points in a win over Illinois last week. However, Minnesota will have a tall task containing a Nebraska offense that is seventh in the country in rushing, averaging 269.3 yards per game. Overall, The Cornhuskers have scored at least 28 points in all but one game this season.

Prediction: Nebraska 38, Minnesota 17

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...braska-cornhuskers-preview-prediction-tv-info

Go Gophers!!
 



BleedGopher said:
When QB Nelson does nothing, Gophers coaches smile

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/179223161.html

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

Great, great article. What he's accomplished in 4 starts is really impressive.

>> Only caught behind the LOS three times in four games

>> No turnovers for Nelson since his debut against Wisky

>> 2-2 as a starter, all in BT games, and a road BT win, something neither Shortell nor Gray could do in a season and a half

Gotta love a QB, especially at that age, who values the ball and values field position. Its refreshing to say the least. The future is bright, no doubt
 

ESPN Big Ten stock report: Week 12

Stock up:

Donnell Kirkwood: The Minnesota running back is somewhat quietly putting together a strong season. The sophomore ran for a career-best 152 yards and two touchdowns last week against Illinois, his third 100-yard game of the season. Kirkwood now has 819 rushing yards on the season and has a great shot at going over 1,000 for the year, especially with the Gophers reaching a bowl game. Minnesota's last 1,000-yard back was Amir Pinnix in 2006 (1,272).

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/65075/big-ten-stock-report-week-12-3

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
ESPN Big Ten stock report: Week 12

Stock up:

Donnell Kirkwood: The Minnesota running back is somewhat quietly putting together a strong season. The sophomore ran for a career-best 152 yards and two touchdowns last week against Illinois, his third 100-yard game of the season. Kirkwood now has 819 rushing yards on the season and has a great shot at going over 1,000 for the year, especially with the Gophers reaching a bowl game. Minnesota's last 1,000-yard back was Amir Pinnix in 2006 (1,272).

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/65075/big-ten-stock-report-week-12-3

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

This is what will get us back on the radar of a top flight running back in the next couple of years...having backs go over 1,000 yards lets talented guys know that if they come here...they will get the yards and carries and a shot at the NFL.
 


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