Official Non-Chernobyl/Fukushima/Cataclysm Thread

[Pompous Elitist]

I think this was posted after the Iowa game last year and I'm re-posting

8. The Over-the-Top Meltdown Fan
Featuring all the anger of Single F-Bomb Fan, but lacking his sense of self-control, this fan reacts to a loss the way a toddler reacts to having a toy taken away: with screaming and other assorted histrionics. He makes everyone uncomfortable when he is watching in a group, which he’s probably not, because nobody likes having Over-the-Top Meltdown Fans around.

There is a 10 percent chance this fan is legitimately unstable, and a 90 percent chance he’s putting on a show because he’s recording himself for an obviously fake YouTube video.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-20-types-of-depressed-sports-fans/

We have 8-10 covered here I'd say.

It's difficult to accept we're not world beaters this year, I get it. We knew this was going to be a test and a measuring stick. But I'm tempted to say we have the worst fans after reading the garbage posted today after a humbling loss.

We didn't lose 31-0 to the Irish. We didn't lose at home to an FCS school. For all we know TCU could wipe up the Big 12 this year.

It's one game. We have easier opponents ahead. Our guys will in fact get better and hopefully healthier.

I'm as frustrated with the offense and lack of progress from last year. But this game seems like a carbon copy of the Iowa experience and we had a decent year.

Takeaways
- D hung tough against some talented players. Their receivers are much better than our starters right now.
- Their QB is legit and better than expected.
- Leidner made way too many awful decisions. The coaches must be pulling their hair out.
- Feel bad for Myrick. There is no defense for those two perfect throws for TDs.
- this was a game of "bad bounces" that cascaded into more bad decisions. We'll see how the team responds.
- maybe it is time to give someone else a start next week. Get mitch healed up and see what we have in a real game.
- still looking forward to the season.

 

[Gopher028]

Today, we faced a team probably better than we'll face in all the B1G. Its out of the way. There's hope with Streveler...I hope Leidner saw that and
something clicks, if not... we have to roll with what works and we have to start using plays that worked last year that resulted in wins.

 

[bottlebass]

I agree I'm not ready to go all crazy about this loss but I wouldn't call it a carbon copy of the iowa game last year. At least in the Iowa game last year I felt like we were 1 big play away from being right back in it, today I felt like the game was over well before half and i was just praying for the team to save some kind of dignity. For all we know though TCU may run the table and make the play off... Oh well the game is over and we still have plenty of chances this season to beat good teams and I still like our chances. If we protect the football and can just make a couple better passes/game we can still have a great season. Hopefully the guys learn something from this game and don't let the loss get to them.

 

[bottlebass]

Also our defensive backs are legit. Those were some big athletic receivers today and they hung right with them... the two touchdown catches over Myrick were actually perfect throws and that receiver must have had super glue on his hands because both catches were phenomenal... there was nothing any defense could do to stop those touchdowns except tackle the guy and take an interference penalty.

 

[patrick08]

Great post. No need to over react to losing to a good team. Keep in mind where we were and they were just a few seasons ago. They beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl and were in the top 5. We were losing to South Dakota and New Mexico State. I would have rather had our wake up call happen on the road vs. TCU then at home vs. Iowa again. Can't blame the D for this. Poor play on OL and QB did us in. Next week we can make it right. Go Gophers!!!

 

[Spoofin]

What we learned was 1. TCU is better, 2. Our O needs help. But it was one game. Not the first or last bad loss. There are countless teams that have bad losses and rebound. Happens almost every week. Happened to us just last year. Kill doesn't need to be fired and we aren't going to finish 2-10. Everyone needs to just take a step back.

Sent from my MZ617 using Tapatalk

 

[jaymil]

I'm already looking forward to the Michigan game. As bad as yesterday was, I still believe we have a legit chance to win the Jug in two weeks. Just use this game as a learning experience and move on.

 

[tonestang]

Great thread great points. Season ain't over yet!

 

[dboy]

" this was a game of "bad bounces"
the only 'bad bounces' were the missed pic-6's that TCU could have converted.

how do we know TCU is that great? 'better than anyone in the big10"? really?
the D played well enough for us to actually win this game.

but w/o a QB to keep a D honest, we will struggle to move the ball. it's like a basketball team w/o outside shooting... the D will just pack the paint.. and our 'hope' is guys with horrible strokes start making 3's all of a sudden?

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Great post. No need to over react to losing to a good team. Keep in mind where we were and they were just a few seasons ago. They beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl and were in the top 5. We were losing to South Dakota and New Mexico State. I would have rather had our wake up call happen on the road vs. TCU then at home vs. Iowa again. Can't blame the D for this. Poor play on OL and QB did us in. Next week we can make it right. Go Gophers!!!

The bold part is both what annoys me and what is keeping me from walking off the cliff. This is third year in a row where we took care of our weak competition, but then looked totally unprepared when we first faced real competition. On the one hand, it gives me hope for this season because in both of the last two, we bounced back had some really good games later on in the season. On the other, why do we still need a wakeup call every year? Why can't this staff have us ready to go for our first bigtime game of the year?

I think both of the last two years, we were made to look totally inadequate early in the year by teams that didn't end up being that good, and by the end of the season we were wishing we could have a second crack at them and liking our chances if we did. I am speaking of the 2-6 Iowa team (2012) and the 3-5 Michigan team (2013). Both of those teams ended those seasons with a same or worse conference record to ours, yet both of them made us look like we didn't belong on the same field with them.

So, I don't want to overreact and don't think we should, because this staff always seems to start slow and figure stuff out later on in the year (which certainly beats some of those basketball teams where they work their way into the top 20, get our hopes up, and spend the rest of the year sliding out of the rankings). Both of the last two years, after Iowa in 2012 and Michigan in 2013, I said that we would go 0-8 in conference if we played like that in all of our games. I stand by those comments, and I think if we play like we did yesterday, we go 1-7 (the defense is good enough to beat Purdue by themselves). After seeing 2012 and 2013 unfold, I am confident we won't still be playing like this when we get into the middle of the B1G season, so I am not worried about that happening. At the same time, like I said earlier, it is really frustrating that we need this kind of early wakeup call every year.

 

[cjbfbp]

The TCU game could have some positive results. Nobody expected the Gophers to win this game so if they were going to get trounced in early season, this was the best time for it to happen.

I don't want to put this all on Leidner, but few fans who have watched closely over last season and this one had much confidence in him as "the guy." Now that he's slowed down by injury, there must be even fewer. His time at QB last year consisted of subbing for Nelson when he was injured or having a lousy game. He managed to do fair enough for a short periods in relief or as a starter when facing a team they could physically outmatch, but as a starter who has to throw against higher quality competition when the running game is stopped, he's showing that he just doesn't have it, especially with nagging injuries.

We can only hope that Kill & Co. have seen enough to make a change and realize the change can be rationalized as necessary because of injury. Streveler didn't look like a long-run solution yesterday either but he's quicker and more mobile than ML and right now that might be enough. San Jose State probably will be physically outmatched next week so it's the right kind of game for him to get his first start. I don't know anything about Pera, but some fans think he has significant potential. They also have a fairly highly rated double threat type of freshman quarterback who they are intending to redshirt. Maybe they should reconsider.

This is the fourth consecutive season where the QB position is unsettled. No one else who has been competitive in the Big Ten has had this kind of situation. Unless Kill & Co. realize that they have to give recruiting for this position #1 priority (and that may involve changes to the offensive schemes), this situation easily could continue in the future. They desperately need to find someone who clearly stands above the others.

 

[cjbfbp]

" this was a game of "bad bounces"
the only 'bad bounces' were the missed pic-6's that TCU could have converted.

how do we know TCU is that great? 'better than anyone in the big10"? really?
the D played well enough for us to actually win this game.

but w/o a QB to keep a D honest, we will struggle to move the ball. it's like a basketball team w/o outside shooting... the D will just pack the paint.. and our 'hope' is guys with horrible strokes start making 3's all of a sudden?

Well said! TCU showed us how bad our offense is when the other team can stop the run. Most quality Big Ten teams can limit rushing yards. The coaching staff is going to have to figure something out. It starts with the QB but doesn't end there.

 

[Some Day...Is Coming!]

I think this was posted after the Iowa game last year and I'm re-posting

8. The Over-the-Top Meltdown Fan
Featuring all the anger of Single F-Bomb Fan, but lacking his sense of self-control, this fan reacts to a loss the way a toddler reacts to having a toy taken away: with screaming and other assorted histrionics. He makes everyone uncomfortable when he is watching in a group, which he’s probably not, because nobody likes having Over-the-Top Meltdown Fans around.

There is a 10 percent chance this fan is legitimately unstable, and a 90 percent chance he’s putting on a show because he’s recording himself for an obviously fake YouTube video.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-20-types-of-depressed-sports-fans/

We have 8-10 covered here I'd say.

It's difficult to accept we're not world beaters this year, I get it. We knew this was going to be a test and a measuring stick. But I'm tempted to say we have the worst fans after reading the garbage posted today after a humbling loss.

We didn't lose 31-0 to the Irish. We didn't lose at home to an FCS school. For all we know TCU could wipe up the Big 12 this year.

It's one game. We have easier opponents ahead. Our guys will in fact get better and hopefully healthier.

I'm as frustrated with the offense and lack of progress from last year. But this game seems like a carbon copy of the Iowa experience and we had a decent year.

Takeaways
- D hung tough against some talented players. Their receivers are much better than our starters right now.
- Their QB is legit and better than expected.
- Leidner made way too many awful decisions. The coaches must be pulling their hair out.
- Feel bad for Myrick. There is no defense for those two perfect throws for TDs.
- this was a game of "bad bounces" that cascaded into more bad decisions. We'll see how the team responds.
- maybe it is time to give someone else a start next week. Get mitch healed up and see what we have in a real game.
- still looking forward to the season.

Excellent post! Thank you!!

 

[cjbfbp]

So, I don't want to overreact and don't think we should, because this staff always seems to start slow and figure stuff out later on in the year (which certainly beats some of those basketball teams where they work their way into the top 20, get our hopes up, and spend the rest of the year sliding out of the rankings).

I agree with a good bit of your post, but I don't agree that the football program in recent years compares favorably to the basketball program. Let's remember that Kill & Co. have had only one pretty decent football team and have yet to win a bowl game even when they were favored like last year. The prior year, they were 2-6 in the Big Ten after going 4-0 against a patsy nonconference and finished 6-7 overall. And Brewster's teams also folded after getting our hopes up. The basketball teams, on the other hand, did finish second in the NIT despite being very shorthanded in 2012, did win their first NCAA tournament game against UCLA in 2013, and won the NIT last year. The basketball team should be a bit better this year and has a very good recruiting class coming in next year.

In one way, Kill's and Tubby's latter teams were similar: they lacked a high quality player at a most significant position. Tubby's latter teams lacked a true point guard. Last year Pitino probably had a weaker team overall than Tubby's last team, but he did manage to secure the point guard position and that's a big reason for optimism going into this year.

 

[Killjoy]

Excellent post! Thank you!!

Amen!

 

[t-docious]

7. The Fan Who Isn’t There Because He Only Watches Big Games at Home Alone
You won’t see this fan because he’s politely declined your invitation to watch the game with a group. He takes sports more seriously than friendship or camaraderie or even basic human interaction, which is to say that he has his priorities straight. (Side note: This fan’s absence also might be related to that one time that he was the Might Be Crying Fan.)

You may get a text message or two from this fan as the game goes on. More likely, you won’t. Once the game is over and the magnitude of the disaster has become clear, be a good friend and phone in a police wellness check.

this was me yesterday, I'm not gonna pretend I am clairvoyant, but i knew it was gonna be bad so I watched alone. . .

 

[nsmike]

I still think that we can have a good season, TCU has a very good defense, with probably the best defensive line we'll see. (I'm assuming that Spence at OSU is done for the year.) I do have grave concerns at Quarterback; I don't think Leidner is translating what he shows in practice to games. I really think that maybe a week on the bench to allow his knee to fully heal might be warranted. Until we we figure out the QB position we'll be at best a mid tier team in a weak conference.

 

[patrick08]

The bold part is both what annoys me and what is keeping me from walking off the cliff. This is third year in a row where we took care of our weak competition, but then looked totally unprepared when we first faced real competition. On the one hand, it gives me hope for this season because in both of the last two, we bounced back had some really good games later on in the season. On the other, why do we still need a wakeup call every year? Why can't this staff have us ready to go for our first bigtime game of the year?

I think both of the last two years, we were made to look totally inadequate early in the year by teams that didn't end up being that good, and by the end of the season we were wishing we could have a second crack at them and liking our chances if we did. I am speaking of the 2-6 Iowa team (2012) and the 3-5 Michigan team (2013). Both of those teams ended those seasons with a same or worse conference record to ours, yet both of them made us look like we didn't belong on the same field with them.

So, I don't want to overreact and don't think we should, because this staff always seems to start slow and figure stuff out later on in the year (which certainly beats some of those basketball teams where they work their way into the top 20, get our hopes up, and spend the rest of the year sliding out of the rankings). Both of the last two years, after Iowa in 2012 and Michigan in 2013, I said that we would go 0-8 in conference if we played like that in all of our games. I stand by those comments, and I think if we play like we did yesterday, we go 1-7 (the defense is good enough to beat Purdue by themselves). After seeing 2012 and 2013 unfold, I am confident we won't still be playing like this when we get into the middle of the B1G season, so I am not worried about that happening. At the same time, like I said earlier, it is really frustrating that we need this kind of early wakeup call every year.

Not saying we need a wake up a call every year, but very few college teams are dominant from the open on through. With a team as young as ours, I would take a loss at TCU over a home loss vs. Iowa. I think anyone agrees with that. Last year after Iowa and then Michigan we played awesome the rest of the season except the bowl. Even in losses to Wisconsin and MSU we still looked like a good team with some offensive struggles. I would even say Michigan was unique because of the circumstances with Kill. I think if we have to take a bump, it might as well come non-conference vs. a very respectable team. I'm sure WI and MSU fans would agree they would rather lose on the road vs. LSU and Oregon rather than lose at home vs. Nebraska or Michigan.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

Not saying we need a wake up a call every year, but very few college teams are dominant from the open on through. With a team as young as ours, I would take a loss at TCU over a home loss vs. Iowa. I think anyone agrees with that. Last year after Iowa and then Michigan we played awesome the rest of the season except the bowl. Even in losses to Wisconsin and MSU we still looked like a good team with some offensive struggles. I would even say Michigan was unique because of the circumstances with Kill. I think if we have to take a bump, it might as well come non-conference vs. a very respectable team. I'm sure WI and MSU fans would agree they would rather lose on the road vs. LSU and Oregon rather than lose at home vs. Nebraska or Michigan.

I don't disagree that all but the really good teams take a thumping at some point during the year. I am just wondering why in our case it always seems to be the first time we face real competition. Are the coaches doing (or not doing) something in the cupcake games and the practices to get us ready? I don't know the answer.

 

[scools12]

The TCU game could have some positive results. Nobody expected the Gophers to win this game so if they were going to get trounced in early season, this was the best time for it to happen.

Completely false statement. All spring and summer a segment of this board pretty much considered this game loser proof. All we heard was TCU was 4-8 last year, they're a descending program we're a program on the rise. Gophers to big a strong for TCU's small defensive front. Take a look at the Predict the Score thread.

Gophers took a step up in class in were thoroughly dominated by a better team and we get TCU best team the Gophers will face this year type post. Making like TCU was ranked a top 10 team coming into the game and other post indicating how can we expect in year 4 under this coaching staff to even compete with a team like TCU.

TCU is good but making excuses for the Gophers performance is refusing to admit what the real issues are with the team. The major issue being in year 4 under this coaching staff the QB position is a mess.

 

[ProfessorBum]

Completely false statement. All spring and summer a segment of this board pretty much considered this game loser proof. All we heard was TCU was 4-8 last year, they're a descending program we're a program on the rise. Gophers to big a strong for TCU's small defensive front. Take a look at the Predict the Score thread.

Gophers took a step up in class in were thoroughly dominated by a better team and we get TCU best team the Gophers will face this year type post. Making like TCU was ranked a top 10 team coming into the game and other post indicating how can we expect in year 4 under this coaching staff to even compete with a team like TCU.

TCU is good but making excuses for the Gophers performance is refusing to admit what the real issues are with the team. The major issue being in year 4 under this coaching staff the QB position is a mess.

Bingo!

 

[MGGopher]

Completely false statement. All spring and summer a segment of this board pretty much considered this game loser proof. All we heard was TCU was 4-8 last year, they're a descending program we're a program on the rise. Gophers to big a strong for TCU's small defensive front. Take a look at the Predict the Score thread.

Gophers took a step up in class in were thoroughly dominated by a better team and we get TCU best team the Gophers will face this year type post. Making like TCU was ranked a top 10 team coming into the game and other post indicating how can we expect in year 4 under this coaching staff to even compete with a team like TCU.

TCU is good but making excuses for the Gophers performance is refusing to admit what the real issues are with the team. The major issue being in year 4 under this coaching staff the QB position is a mess.

I completely agree with much of your post (including the part about the horrendous QB play in year 4...sadly disappointing), but isn't it possible that TCU is much, much better than what people expected I mean, this is a team that ain't too far removed from top 10 in the country status. And those years weren't flukes...they've done it a few times over the past decade. Again, I don't disagree with much of what you said --and yes, the game yesterday was sickening -- but to say that fans aren't allowed to change their assessment of TCU after ACTUALLY SEEING them play live is kind of unfair.

 

[MGGopher]

I don't disagree that all but the really good teams take a thumping at some point during the year. I am just wondering why in our case it always seems to be the first time we face real competition. Are the coaches doing (or not doing) something in the cupcake games and the practices to get us ready? I don't know the answer.

In my opinion, average to above average teams with very little depth have a hard time simulating game speed and opponent skill during practice. Teams like OSU have backups who are nearly as good as many starters they'll be facing...so they give a realistic look in practice. Teams like MN don't see it live until they play a quality opponent. Queue the "deer in headlights" we've seen the past three years at the first real test of the year. Just my opinion, of course. And it still sucks, as the staff gets paid millions of dollars (as a whole) to figure out how to combat these issues. I hope they do.

 

[cjbfbp]

Completely false statement. All spring and summer a segment of this board pretty much considered this game loser proof. All we heard was TCU was 4-8 last year, they're a descending program we're a program on the rise. Gophers to big a strong for TCU's small defensive front. Take a look at the Predict the Score thread.

OK, then let me amend my statement to" "Nobody who anyone listens to thought the Gophers would win this game."

They were a 16.5 point underdog by the Vegas betting lines. What some wishful thinking fans on a message board think never really enters my consciousness.

Finally, the other crap that you projected in my post (i.e., excuse making) wasn't there at all. Here's some advice: read more and write less.