Official Minnesota-Iowa Pre-Game Thread: Articles, Links, Tweets & More

Donate To GopherHole




I think there are two ways Iowa goes after this week:

1) They rally and play the best game of their season, trying to salvage what they can, playing for pride
2) They completely fall apart and look aloof on the football field

Scenario 1 is more likely, particularly because of the rivalry aspect. Despite their troubles, it is a rivalry game, and anything can happen. Wish we got 'em at TCF this year as I'd feel a lot better. We can win, but will need to play our best game of the year. I hate Iowa.
 


Gopher07 said:
I think there are two ways Iowa goes after this week:

1) They rally and play the best game of their season, trying to salvage what they can, playing for pride
2) They completely fall apart and look aloof on the football field

Scenario 1 is more likely, particularly because of the rivalry aspect. Despite their troubles, it is a rivalry game, and anything can happen. Wish we got 'em at TCF this year as I'd feel a lot better. We can win, but will need to play our best game of the year. I hate Iowa.
Click to expand...

I agree. Lose to us and their season goes into a tailspin. Beat us and they salvage it.
 













I'm thinking Iowa will play their best game in an attempt to bring floyd back and we will need to play our best game of the season just to keep floyd. Gonna have to play our a**es off.
 

CentralGopher said:
I'm thinking Iowa will play their best game in an attempt to bring floyd back and we will need to play our best game of the season just to keep floyd. Gonna have to play our a**es off.
Click to expand...

As the season goes on, this seems to be the trend, and the team has raised their level of play each time to come out victorious. Since getting destroyed a few times early in the Big Ten season last year, the team has continued to show improvement, now to the level beating some decent teams. Another good showing this weekend in Iowa City --- 5-0 BABY!!
 

Tweet from Tom Dienhart: "Is it OK to call the #Hawkeyes home game vs. the #Gophers this Saturday a "must win"? Hmmm. #B1G"

Go Gophers!!
 

I hope we keep an underdog mentality. Make no mistakes, we are the underdogs entering Saturday's game. We need to play with a chip on our shoulder and prove that we're not a product of our schedule, but rather a product of our hard work. I hate Iowa.
 

Shame6.jpg
 

per Shama:

U Defense Winning Admirers
September 24, 2012 - (0) comments



I have watched Gophers football for decades but Minnesota’s defense last Saturday night against Syracuse was special. It reminded an observer of coach Murray Warmath’s defenses in the 1960s when pass rushers were intimidating quarterbacks, tacklers were punishing ball carriers and Gophers were swarming all over the field making plays.

The Gophers held Syracuse without a touchdown until the last minute of the game. This was a Syracuse offense that came to Minneapolis averaging 533 yards in total offense and ranked third in the country in passing yards per game. The Orange had scored 29 points against USC and 41 versus Northwestern.

In the 17-10 win the Gophers held Syracuse to 350 total yards including 228 passing. The Gophers intercepted two Orange passes and recovered two Syracuse fumbles.

Coach Jerry Kill told the Big Ten Network after the game his defense is improved from a year ago because the players know their assignments better. They can play faster, and with some new personnel the overall foot speed is better, too.

“Much improved,” said Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo on Saturday night. “Tracy Claeys, defensive coordinator, has done a fabulous job. Look at how many people are flying to the ball. Every time there is a turnover you can count how many of the Minnesota guys are around. Jerry Kill says they’re playing faster and they’re playing harder than they were a year ago.”

Any eye-catching defense includes playmakers that stand out each Saturday. A list of those Gophers has to include sophomore safety Derrick Wells, junior tackle Ra’Shede Hageman and senior end D.L. Wilhite. Those have been impact players and others like senior linebacker Aaron Hill and senior cornerback Troy Stoudermire have been impressive, too.

With last Saturday’s win over Syracuse, the Gophers have not only won four consecutive games to start the season but Minnesota has won six of its last nine games dating back to last season. That’s the program’s best streak since 2004 when the Gophers won eight of nine games going back to 2003.

On Saturday night the Gophers also played before their first sellout crowd at home since November 27, 2010.

http://shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!
 




Shooter Now: Gophers football no longer 'shameful,' Bob Stein says

"When you're 4-0, you're as undefeated as Alabama," he said of the No. 1-ranked Tide, also 4-0. "That doesn't mean you're at Alabama's level, but based on where things were two, three years ago, I think they're ahead of the curve. We're seeing progress we had hoped we would see, and maybe sooner than we thought."

"It starts at the top with a mind-set of insistence on excellence, and Jerry Kill and his staff are doing a great job," Stein said. "It's fun to see the team playing with more intensity, more confidence and more poise, and that's really a good coaching job.

"Jerry Kill and his staff know what they're doing. What they need is support that other top programs get, and I'm optimistic there, too, because President (Eric) Kaler has shown his willingness because this is part of the academic process, too."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21619273/shooter-now-gophers-football-no-longer-shameful-bob

Go Gophers!!
 


Subtle, but important statistical advantage for Saturday: kick returns.

Iowa ranks 106th in the country in kick return average. Minnesota ranks 21st in kick-return defense. Pinning Iowa deep and forcing them to go 85 instead of 70 yards could be a huge advantage.
 

How can Joey Galloway not know about the Floyd of Rosedale? He's been involved with football his entire life, played in the Big Ten and now is covering college football from the broadcast booth. His ignorance of Big Ten traditions is alittle shocking.
 



Gopher07 said:
Ivan Maisel, Joey Galloway break down the Big Ten and talk Floyd (Gophers talk comes just past the 14-minute mark): http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=8420139
Click to expand...

Maisel also mentions that Beano Cook is ailing which is too bad. I listen to this podcast every night walking the dog and Beano joins Maisel one day each week. Cook is an old timer who always gives the U some props for their history.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom