Shama: Rivalry Games Already on U Radar

[BleedGopher]

per Shama:

The Gophers begin training camp today, and yesterday it was evident players want to end past frustrations, and surprise sportswriters who are predicting a fifth place finish in the Big Ten’s seven-team West Division.

Senior corner Jalen Myrick didn’t hold back expressing his feels about Minnesota border rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. “I hate Iowa. … I hate Wisconsin. I want to beat them at least one time. I didn’t get a chance (because of injury) to play against each one of them last year. I got a big statement to prove in each of those games.”

The Hawkeyes won the division last season, the Badgers the year before. Minnesota’s record against Iowa since 2000 is 5-11. Dating back to 1990, the Gophers are a dismal 5-21 against Wisconsin including 12 consecutive losses beginning in 2004.

Senior quarterback Mitch Leidner joined Myrick and several other teammates yesterday to talk with the media prior to practice opening. Leidner predicted the Gophers will play with an edge this season and added he wants a Big Ten title before his college career ends.

Leidner knows the Gophers need to end the drought against the Badgers, and Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys talked about that during an interview with Sports Headliners in June. “It bothers the hell out of me,” Claeys said. “We’re on our way to try to get that back to where it’s a rivalry. We gotta win sooner or later for it even to be considered a rivalry anymore.”

http://shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!

 

[saintpauljeff]

Win the Axe. Just get it done.


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[MNGoldenGophers1]

It's too bad we only play two of our rivalry games this season (three if you count Nebraska).

 

[PMWinSTP]

It's too bad we only play two of our rivalry games this season (three if you count Nebraska).

Do you mean trophy games? Wisc and Iowa are pretty much our rivalry games.

 

[MNGoldenGophers1]

Do you mean trophy games? Wisc and Iowa are pretty much our rivalry games.

I guess I equate trophy games as rivalry games. So yes, too bad we have only the skunks and hogeyes as rival/trophy games this year.

 

[GopherHomer]

It's too bad we only play two of our rivalry games this season (three if you count Nebraska).

I think it's great we don't play Michigan this year - they will be tough. I actually wish we didn't play them until after Harbaugh gets bored and jets.

 

[PMWinSTP]

I think it's great we don't play Michigan this year - they will be tough. I actually wish we didn't play them until after Harbaugh gets bored and jets.

How about we just continue to get better and make it a consistently competitive game...

 

[PMWinSTP]

I guess I equate trophy games as rivalry games. So yes, too bad we have only the skunks and hogeyes as rival/trophy games this year.

OK...if you want to count Neb, we have four this year.

 

[GopherHomer]

How about we just continue to get better and make it a consistently competitive game...

Awesome...I agree. But for the time being, I'm thankful for our schedule. If we get to the point where strength of schedule matters in a national sense, okay - but for now I would rather rack up wins against Rutgers, Maryland, and Indiana. I sincerely hope we get to point where we want to play the best of the East...but we are not at that point yet.