Sadly, Game is No Longer a Rivalry

[LesBolstad]

Put Wisconsin in the same category as Michigan. Playing for a trophy but not against a rival. You have to actually win 20% of games against a rival for it to remain such. We can reconsider if we ever win 2 out 4 in the future.

 

[GO4INLALALAND]

Next year will be a different game. Wis. will not have Russell Wilson next year and we will have a qb who will be starting for his second season. In addition, the MN oaching staff should remain intact and the players will have had a year of running this new system under their belts. Not saying we are going to win next year, but I do think we will be much more competitive. The caveat is that our defense is a couple of recruiting classes away from being respectable. Our db's are atrocious and our d-line just gets pushed around. Our d has a ways to go to make us competitive on that side of the ball.

 

[John Galt]

That's why the Gophers lead the all-time series, huh? Get off the board moron... these things go in cycles.

 

[minngg]

Waaaaaaaah. Crybabies make me sick.

 

[GoldenHerbs]

Que the, "If Wisconsin can do it, why not Minnesota" thread in 5...4..3..2..1

 

[Firejumper]

Nipsy Russell, or whatever his name is, was the difference.

 

[LesBolstad]

Get off the board moron... these things go in cycles.

A cycle? That's all it is? Oh, ok; let's get em' next year!

Dooshy, that's 15 out of 17 for the Badgers. I'd say that's a fairly bad cycle, wouldn't you?

 

[Okie]

A cycle? That's all it is? Oh, ok; let's get em' next year!

Dooshy, that's 15 out of 17 for the Badgers. I'd say that's a fairly bad cycle, wouldn't you?

all i comes down to is that they made a great coaching hire in the '90s and it jump-started the program. We are just as capable of doing that, but it is just very difficult to find the "perfect" coach. I like and support Kill, but we won't be able to tell if he's the right fit until at least 2013.

 

[phipho]

Nothing Winning back the Axe won't cure. if you don't think its a rivalry look at how the Wisconsin players reacted at the end of the game.

 

[dpodoll68]

Dooshy, that's 15 out of 17 for the Badgers. I'd say that's a fairly bad cycle, wouldn't you?

Between 1926 and 1941, we won 14 out of 16, including 9 in a row.

Between 1967 and 1973, we won 6 out of 7.

Between 1984 and 1990, we won 6 out of 7.

What the hell's your point?

 

[John Galt]

Thanks Dpodoll! You beat me to it.

 

[RedPoo]

Between 1926 and 1941, we won 14 out of 16, including 9 in a row.

Between 1967 and 1973, we won 6 out of 7.

Between 1984 and 1990, we won 6 out of 7.

What the hell's your point?

Agreed. The OP obviously doesn't understand how rivalries work. Just trollin.


I don't think the argument really needs to be made, but Michigan hasn't beaten OSU since 2003...you think they'll consider rescheduling that one for early October next season?

 

[Parski1]

Put Wisconsin in the same category as Michigan. Playing for a trophy but not against a rival. You have to actually win 20% of games against a rival for it to remain such. We can reconsider if we ever win 2 out 4 in the future.

I didn't know there was a 20% rule? Are you freaking kidding me - what a stupid post!!!!!

 

[Okie]

No matter how meaningless the game is in the eyes of Wisconsin right now, as soon as we beat them again, it becomes a rivalry again. You could tell that just from the Iowa game this year, it was way more intense a year after we beat them.

 

[50PoundHead]

And in the 16/18 string for Wisconsin, there were at least a couple of games we could have won and one we should have won if not for a blocked punt. It's not like it hasn't been non-competitive, they've just been a notch or two better over that period.

This is probably the best Wisconsin team the Gophers have faced in the past two decades. Wilson was the missing piece to a team that was expected to compete for the national championship. My opinion here, but I think Ball is the best running back they've had since Dayne. He's the real deal. Very good offensive line and good supporting cast on offense and a decent (thought not great) defense.

 

[BigAppleBucky]

Next year will be a different game. Wis. will not have Russell Wilson next year and we will have a qb who will be starting for his second season. In addition, the MN oaching staff should remain intact and the players will have had a year of running this new system under their belts. Not saying we are going to win next year, but I do think we will be much more competitive. The caveat is that our defense is a couple of recruiting classes away from being respectable. Our db's are atrocious and our d-line just gets pushed around. Our d has a ways to go to make us competitive on that side of the ball.

But next year the game is in Madison. Maybe in two years.

 

[Mngoph79]

Wisconsin is a very good football team. Probably the best we’ve played all year. But we’ve seen positive indicators ever since the 2nd half of the Nebraska game suggesting we’re moving the right direction. Will we win the Ax next year at Camp Randall? The smart money says no. Will we give the Badgers all they can handle in another two years back at the bank? From my perspective – damn right!

I truly understand why fans may be frustrated. But turning around a program like ours is no simple feat. It will not be a linear progression of improvement but a process of two-steps forward and one-step back. This is the reality of turning around any organization.

Fans are wondering if we have the right type of leadership in place to turn this ship around. This goes beyond the coaching staff to include everyone from the administration to the Board of Regents. I, among many on this board, believe we do. Been a fan since the 60s and I’ve never been more optimistic about the long-term prospects for Gopher football. In this for the long haul and I believe Gopher football tickets will become a high-demand commodity in another 3-to-5 years.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

One team has been operating in the same system for the majority of this run for Wisky; one team has changed systems repeatedly in the last 6 years. It doesn't help that the Gophers are rolling with so many underclassmen. It's not that complicated.

I have every confidence in Kill and Company to get this done. There's not a doubt in my mind. In two years when this year's BOATLOAD of starting underclassmen are seniors and juniors, this team will be in every game, and winning a lot of them.

 

[rodentwatcher]

Calm down Debbie Downer! There won't be a lot to look at for at least two more years.

 

[TLHGO4]

One team has been operating in the same system for the majority of this run for Wisky; one team has changed systems repeatedly in the last 6 years. It doesn't help that the Gophers are rolling with so many underclassmen. It's not that complicated.

I have every confidence in Kill and Company to get this done. There's not a doubt in my mind. In two years when this year's BOATLOAD of starting underclassmen are seniors and juniors, this team will be in every game, and winning a lot of them.

Wel said, Ogee. I am in 100% agreement.

 

[EG#9]

It goes beyond the system, we had the same system for ~9 years recently and had a completely unacceptable record against Wisconsin. To me it seems like performing well in sports is just way more important in Wisconsin than it is in Minnesota. They have even passed us in basketball over the last decade or so. While they are winning, we have people calling for 7-5 to be considered a success or for a road win at Middle Tennessee State to be a big deal and generally looking for excuses as to why Minnesota can't/won't/shouldn't play to the level of Wisconsin. Major questions should have been asked about the direction of our program when we lost 4 of 5, but there just wasn't enough outrage to see major change. We let it get to the point of 15 of 17 and that is obviously an enormous hole to dig out of.

 

[supadupafly]

Between 1926 and 1941, we won 14 out of 16, including 9 in a row.

Between 1967 and 1973, we won 6 out of 7.

Between 1984 and 1990, we won 6 out of 7.

What the hell's your point?

box! but don't throw facts like these out there......you will just confuse him.

our universities and fans are not rivals? please dude, please.

 

[John Galt]

It goes beyond the system, we had the same system for ~9 years recently and had a completely unacceptable record against Wisconsin. To me it seems like performing well in sports is just way more important in Wisconsin than it is in Minnesota. They have even passed us in basketball over the last decade or so. While they are winning, we have people calling for 7-5 to be considered a success or for a road win at Middle Tennessee State to be a big deal and generally looking for excuses as to why Minnesota can't/won't/shouldn't play to the level of Wisconsin. Major questions should have been asked about the direction of our program when we lost 4 of 5, but there just wasn't enough outrage to see major change. We let it get to the point of 15 of 17 and that is obviously an enormous hole to dig out of.

Are you telling me our entire fan base isn't furious over what's happened the last 20 years? The fact is that our worst 20 year period has coincided with their best period. Trust me, when the day comes (and it will) when the Gophers win 8 out of 10 in the series, we'll see who the true fans are for each school...

 

[Great Plains Gopher]

Next year will be a different game. Wis. will not have Russell Wilson next year and we will have a qb who will be starting for his second season. In addition, the MN oaching staff should remain intact and the players will have had a year of running this new system under their belts. Not saying we are going to win next year, but I do think we will be much more competitive. The caveat is that our defense is a couple of recruiting classes away from being respectable. Our db's are atrocious and our d-line just gets pushed around. Our d has a ways to go to make us competitive on that side of the ball.

I feel the same way. We have a coaching team and a QB who will have a season under his belt (if belatedly). The O-line will be impoved, too. Now we need a decisive running back and some help on D.