Minnesota/Wisconsin Pre-Game Thread

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ESPN Predictions:

MINNESOTA at WISCONSIN

Adam Rittenberg: If the Gophers were healthy, they'd keep this close and have a chance to pull off the upset. But too many key injuries, combined with a Wisconsin team that has regained its mojo, lead to another fairly easy win for Bret Bielema's crew. Montee Ball goes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and James White and Melvin Gordon each add a rushing score. Minnesota hangs around for the first half, but Wisconsin surges early in the third quarter. ... Wisconsin 38, Minnesota 20

Brian Bennett: Minnesota has had trouble stopping the run the past two games, and that's not a good sign going against a Badgers offensive line that is getting back to form. Ball drops the axe on the Gophers with three scores, and an underrated Wisconsin defense keeps Max Shortell & Co. at bay. ... Wisconsin 34, Minnesota 17

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/62355/big-ten-predictions-week-8-2

Go Gophers!!
 






ESPN: What to watch in the Big Ten:

An ax to grind: The Big Ten's best rivalry trophy is at stake at Camp Randall Stadium as Wisconsin and Minnesota play for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Wisconsin has won eight straight in the series and can match the longest win streak by either squad with a victory Saturday. Minnesota senior linebacker Mike Rallis acknowledged this week, "If you don't ever win, it's not really a rivalry." The detest for the Badgers runs deep with Minnesota's roster, though, and while the Gophers will be short-handed, they can record a signature win and a significant upset Saturday. They'll have to beat a Wisconsin team that seems to have found its bearings after a slow start, especially along the offensive line.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/62259/what-to-watch-in-the-big-ten-week-8-5

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
ESPN Predictions:

MINNESOTA at WISCONSIN

Adam Rittenberg: If the Gophers were healthy, they'd keep this close and have a chance to pull off the upset. But too many key injuries, combined with a Wisconsin team that has regained its mojo, lead to another fairly easy win for Bret Bielema's crew. Montee Ball goes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and James White and Melvin Gordon each add a rushing score. Minnesota hangs around for the first half, but Wisconsin surges early in the third quarter. ... Wisconsin 38, Minnesota 20

Brian Bennett: Minnesota has had trouble stopping the run the past two games, and that's not a good sign going against a Badgers offensive line that is getting back to form. Ball drops the axe on the Gophers with three scores, and an underrated Wisconsin defense keeps Max Shortell & Co. at bay. ... Wisconsin 34, Minnesota 17

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/62355/big-ten-predictions-week-8-2

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

My heart wants to call upset, but I see it creeping similarly to what Rittenberg says. We are just flat out shorthanded right now, it's hard enough to win there when fully stocked, and if we were, I would be calling for the upset. Our offense is just so beat up, I'm not sure we can score enough and move the ball enough to keep them from getting shorter fields and momentum.
 


The injuries are obviously going to handicap us, but we also play really lousy on the road. This team does appear to get intimidated in large, loud venues, e.g. Iowa, Michigan. I hope that this team can at least compete and avoid a huge blowout.
 



@FSNtylermason: Sounds like the #Badgers players watched film this week of the #Gophers running to grab the Axe back in 2003

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
@FSNtylermason: Sounds like the #Badgers players watched film this week of the #Gophers running to grab the Axe back in 2003

Go Gophers!!
Click to expand...

Of course they did. This is a common occurance in any rivalry game, coaches love to show the video of the other team going to get the trophy from you. Kind of sad that they have to go back to 2003 to find an example but that is another story. I am sure the Gophers have been watching the 2004 celebration by Wisconsin when they took it back.
 





I'm typically more optimistic than most and would love nothing more than to predict a close battle Saturday.

That being said, it's hard to adequately put into words just HOW difficult it is to line up with an offensive line full of 19-20 year old kids. You just aren't going to be able to compete consistently. It just doesn't happen, not in the Big Ten.

The unfortunate thing is, that simple fact could easily hide that the team is markedly improved, virtually across the board. I hope it doesn't, but it probably will.

Here's hoping the injury situation has been greatly exaggerated.
 


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