Rittenberg's Mailbag Today: Reasoning for bad perception

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D.J. from Richfield, Minn., writes: Hi Adam: You mentioned that the Gophers are perceived as bottom-feeders in the Big Ten. This has actually been a big topic here lately. Both locally and nationally the Gophers have this stigma as being something of a joke of a program. Obviously they aren't on the OSU level, but they have been to a bowl game basically every year this past decade. Sure they have been mid-tier bowls but I can think of a number of teams that would be happy to have played in as many mid-tier bowls as they have. The 1-11 year was more fluke than anything. Take that away and they have gone 13-13 over the past two seasons, not great but at least respectable. So where does this perception come from?

Adam Rittenberg: It's interesting, D.J. I can't remember a program returning a senior quarterback (Adam Weber) and coming off of back-to-back bowl appearances taking such a beating nationally. I think people see a very challenging schedule (non-conference and Big Ten), plus the loss of nine defensive starters and superstar wide receiver Eric Decker. They also see things beginning to slip for head coach Tim Brewster, who arrived talking about Big Ten championships but hasn't delivered in the games that truly matter. All the coaching changes in Minnesota also creates a shaky feeling around the program. That said, Minnesota isn't a 2-win team this fall and could really surprise people, especially if the offensive line and run game come together. But I think the schedule and the doubt about the coaching staff are the two driving forces behind the poor forecast.
 

I have to agree with him.

At the national level the most teams losing the number of defensive players we did with an offense that was as bad as it was last year is not going to come in with much praise. The good news is games are won and lost on the field and the team gets a chance to prove themselves on the field. It really doesnt matter what people think now its what the team does that will matter. I think its great coming into a year with such low expectations because if the team makes any bowl its going to be a huge positive on the national level and will help the team in the late recruiting period.

I think the Gophers have a chance to be a good team but to expect much more than 6 or 7 wins is maybe hoping for to much. If it happens great an 8-4 record would be out of this world but to go 6-6 again with this schedule and a chance to win a bowl game would be ok. Brewster has mostly his talent in place now and we will see if his young athletes are going to be able to get the job done. This team should be solid this year but should be even better next year if they can keep the coaching staff together. The changes in the coaching staff have hurt this more than anything. Imagine how far ahead of the curve this team would be if they would have just kept the Pro Style run offense they had when Mason was here which is what they have moved back to after wasting two years in the spread. If we would have kept that offense from day 1 we wouldnt be asking if we would go to a bowl but what bowl we are going to.
 

This is good to see. As far as media in the national spotlight, Rittenberg has his finger on the pulse of the Gophers more than anyone else. Because he's a national media guy he has to make sure he doesn't look like a moron, but he also seems to feel like the Gophers are getting a bad rap.
 

This is Pantherhawk. Please stop responding to the bit.
 



Wha? I'm not Pantherhawk. I was just pointing out that Rittenberg is actually doing a pretty good job and actually knows what the hell is going on in the big ten outside of OSU Penn St. Michigan, etc... He doesn't fall into the Eastern Time zone bias a lot of the national media has.
 

Nailed it

WolfontheProwl said:
At the national level the most teams losing the number of defensive players we did with an offense that was as bad as it was last year is not going to come in with much praise. The good news is games are won and lost on the field and the team gets a chance to prove themselves on the field. It really doesnt matter what people think now its what the team does that will matter. I think its great coming into a year with such low expectations because if the team makes any bowl its going to be a huge positive on the national level and will help the team in the late recruiting period.

I think the Gophers have a chance to be a good team but to expect much more than 6 or 7 wins is maybe hoping for to much. If it happens great an 8-4 record would be out of this world but to go 6-6 again with this schedule and a chance to win a bowl game would be ok. Brewster has mostly his talent in place now and we will see if his young athletes are going to be able to get the job done. This team should be solid this year but should be even better next year if they can keep the coaching staff together. The changes in the coaching staff have hurt this more than anything. Imagine how far ahead of the curve this team would be if they would have just kept the Pro Style run offense they had when Mason was here which is what they have moved back to after wasting two years in the spread. If we would have kept that offense from day 1 we wouldnt be asking if we would go to a bowl but what bowl we are going to.
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Best post I've read in a while. I have no problem with where the perception is right now. First off, it's completely understandable, for the reasons you listed. Secondly, a couple weeks into the season, it won't matter what everybody's prediction for the season was so who cares.

Get out of the gate 3-1 heading into BT play and nobody will remember where the Rodents were predicted to finish.
 

we will remember

where they picked us if no one else does.
 

Don't flame me because I'm giving an honest answer

Part of it is that the mascot is a goofy looking rodent. It's utterly mockable before the performance of the team is even taken into account.
 



I don't believe that you are giving an honest answer. If that REALLY is your honest asessment, then you need to floss your brain.
 

lumpywideass said:
Don't flame me because I'm giving an honest answer

Part of it is that the mascot is a goofy looking rodent. It's utterly mockable before the performance of the team is even taken into account.
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Buckyville is to the east of us...obsessive troll.
 

I think a team named Beavers or Banana Slugs or Gophers is going have to do more to gain respect than something generic like Bulldogs or Eagles.
 




lumpywideass said:
I think a team named Beavers or Banana Slugs or Gophers is going have to do more to gain respect than something generic like Bulldogs or Eagles.
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Something like win a National Championship? How are you guys on that scoreboard?
 


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