BleedGopher
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per MLive.com:
Will this be the quickest game ever?
Michigan (12th) and Minnesota (11th) have two of the worst passing offenses in the Big Ten. Through seven games, both teams have combined to throw for just 13 touchdown passes. A total of 33 FBS quarterbacks have topped that on their own this season. On the other side, the Wolverines (No. 4) and Golden Gophers (No. 18) boast two of the best pass defenses nationally. So. Run game, anyone?
Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner was held under 100 yards against Northwestern and Purdue, but did throw for 301 yards two weeks ago in a lopsided loss to Purdue. Minnesota's never been a great passing team under Jerry Kill, which brings us to our next point ... Minnesota's run game ... or lack thereof.
The Gophers really, really miss David Cobb
Minnesota's 4-3 on the season, which comes as a bit of a surprise to some who figured Kill's program was on the verge of bigger things after a second-place finish in the B1G West last season. Two big reasons why are currently in the NFL: Tight end Maxx Williams and running back David Cobb. Williams' absence obviously hurts the passing attack, but that was never the Gophers' bread and butter. Cobb had an outstanding senior season last year, topping 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 32-carry, 183-yard day in Michigan Stadium was the difference for Minnesota last season when the Gophers won the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005.
Now, though, the Gophers are really struggling to move the football on the ground. Take out the 326 yards gained against Purdue -- the worst rush defense in the league -- and the team's at just 128.5 yards per game against TCU, Colorado State, Kent State, Ohio, Northwestern and Nebraska (with a 3.5 yards per carry average). True freshman Shannon Brooks appears to be the team's go-to back at this point (316 yards, 3 TDs). But, like the Maryland game, if Michigan can get a lead early in Minneapolis, the Gophers may not have the juice to catch back up.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/10/5_things_to_watch_does_jabrill.html
Go Gophers!!
Will this be the quickest game ever?
Michigan (12th) and Minnesota (11th) have two of the worst passing offenses in the Big Ten. Through seven games, both teams have combined to throw for just 13 touchdown passes. A total of 33 FBS quarterbacks have topped that on their own this season. On the other side, the Wolverines (No. 4) and Golden Gophers (No. 18) boast two of the best pass defenses nationally. So. Run game, anyone?
Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner was held under 100 yards against Northwestern and Purdue, but did throw for 301 yards two weeks ago in a lopsided loss to Purdue. Minnesota's never been a great passing team under Jerry Kill, which brings us to our next point ... Minnesota's run game ... or lack thereof.
The Gophers really, really miss David Cobb
Minnesota's 4-3 on the season, which comes as a bit of a surprise to some who figured Kill's program was on the verge of bigger things after a second-place finish in the B1G West last season. Two big reasons why are currently in the NFL: Tight end Maxx Williams and running back David Cobb. Williams' absence obviously hurts the passing attack, but that was never the Gophers' bread and butter. Cobb had an outstanding senior season last year, topping 1,600 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 32-carry, 183-yard day in Michigan Stadium was the difference for Minnesota last season when the Gophers won the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2005.
Now, though, the Gophers are really struggling to move the football on the ground. Take out the 326 yards gained against Purdue -- the worst rush defense in the league -- and the team's at just 128.5 yards per game against TCU, Colorado State, Kent State, Ohio, Northwestern and Nebraska (with a 3.5 yards per carry average). True freshman Shannon Brooks appears to be the team's go-to back at this point (316 yards, 3 TDs). But, like the Maryland game, if Michigan can get a lead early in Minneapolis, the Gophers may not have the juice to catch back up.
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2015/10/5_things_to_watch_does_jabrill.html
Go Gophers!!