UpAndUnder43
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This appears to be one of the more important stretches the Gophers will face this season. A couple ranked teams, some neutral site/road games against power 5 teams and a pair of early season B1G games that will set the tone for the season.
I can't speak about UMASS much, but they look fairly weak (only beat Western Carolina by 9). This game is being played in a 2000 person "arena" makes me nervous but I expect a nice win.
Alabama looks tough. They beat a traditionally strong UT-Arlington team in a close one, beat Memphis, are ranked #25, are 4-0 and beat AAMU in similar fashion as the Gophers. Neutral site makes this interesting.
Miami (FL) will be a marquee game and could look great on the resume come March. Their early season schedule looks pretty weak so hopefully they won't be prepared for the Gophers. (Note: If you're attending the game, this is a GOLD OUT). Miami is currently #11 in the polls.
Rutgers is undefeated but also have not played anyone. I think the Gophers roll at home but its huge to start the conference out well.
@ Nebraska may be a tricky game. The 3-1 Huskers took it on the chin @ St John's but I hesitate to write-off B1G road games.
@ Arkansas has the Gophers playing another early season road game. Much different than last year where they didn't leave the comfort of The Barn for a true away game until 11/28, then not again until 1/1. Arkansas is also 3-0 and has been better lately. Could be a nice away win against a Power 5 team
To end the stretch, the Gophers host Drake. Drake beat Wake Forest and took Colorado to the wire, losing by 5 @ what I believe was a neutral site. This and Harvard are the best of the mid-majors, it looks like, so a win here would be nice.
IF the Gophers survive this stretch unscathed, they'll be 12-0. With 3 non-conference home games followed by a pair of B1G home games (Illinois, Indiana), the Gophers would be set up for a VERY nice record 17 games into the season.
I can't speak about UMASS much, but they look fairly weak (only beat Western Carolina by 9). This game is being played in a 2000 person "arena" makes me nervous but I expect a nice win.
Alabama looks tough. They beat a traditionally strong UT-Arlington team in a close one, beat Memphis, are ranked #25, are 4-0 and beat AAMU in similar fashion as the Gophers. Neutral site makes this interesting.
Miami (FL) will be a marquee game and could look great on the resume come March. Their early season schedule looks pretty weak so hopefully they won't be prepared for the Gophers. (Note: If you're attending the game, this is a GOLD OUT). Miami is currently #11 in the polls.
Rutgers is undefeated but also have not played anyone. I think the Gophers roll at home but its huge to start the conference out well.
@ Nebraska may be a tricky game. The 3-1 Huskers took it on the chin @ St John's but I hesitate to write-off B1G road games.
@ Arkansas has the Gophers playing another early season road game. Much different than last year where they didn't leave the comfort of The Barn for a true away game until 11/28, then not again until 1/1. Arkansas is also 3-0 and has been better lately. Could be a nice away win against a Power 5 team
To end the stretch, the Gophers host Drake. Drake beat Wake Forest and took Colorado to the wire, losing by 5 @ what I believe was a neutral site. This and Harvard are the best of the mid-majors, it looks like, so a win here would be nice.
IF the Gophers survive this stretch unscathed, they'll be 12-0. With 3 non-conference home games followed by a pair of B1G home games (Illinois, Indiana), the Gophers would be set up for a VERY nice record 17 games into the season.
