I agree with most of the original post, but I have serious doubts that the running game displayed today is repeatable against real competition. Streveler ran the ball well and perhaps more importantly, appeared to make great decisions on the read plays. I thought the defense had some very good moments and a few concerning ones (the too easy long completion, getting burned for a td on the bubble screen, a couple deep balls that are TD's if it was another QB/WR combo that were incompletions today) and that special teams were solid outside of the return game. Overall, it felt like a sloppy game on both sides with the Gophers dominating the line of scrimmage.
We've seen in the Gophers one game against real opposition that this read run game is not a foundation for a successful offense by itself and that those 7,8...12 yard gains that occur against the SJSU's of the world tend to become 2 or 3 yard gains far too often against a BCS front seven. I understand the need to be somewhat conservative in this game given the circumstances, but I also feel like not giving the passing game reps in the non-conference schedule (again) is a major mistake. Asking Leidner/Streveler and the receiving options to execute on 3rd and 6 against Michigan with so little game reps is a recipe for disaster (just like at TCU). I just don't see this team as prepared to go in and win at a very, very poor Michigan squad which is too bad. Some will excuse a loss as "it's Michigan" and ignore that Utah just put it on them.
Highlight of the day for me was Eric Murray's interception. This game could have gotten real dicey if the Gophers go in to halftime with Cobb's goal line fumble being their last play and an inexperienced QB having yet to complete a pass in an uncomfortably close game.
