bleedsmaroonandgold
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With one week to go until Gopher football, I wanted to share my thoughts on what I hope continues from last year and what I hope changes, and then solicit others to do the same. Here is what I came up with.
Stay the Same
1. Win the ones we are in With the exception of the bowl game, I didn't feel like we let any games slip away last year. Every time we were in a game and it was a dog fight, we managed to come out on top. Our only four regular season losses were games where we got beat like a rented mule. We managed to make some of them look close, but I didn't really feel like we had any business losing those. This was a nice development, because in the past it seemed like this program could find a way to seize defeat from the jaws of victory, but especially against NU and Indiana, we pulled through when the game was on the line.
2. Motion and creativity I loved the way we used our tight ends and created motion and confusion, especially in the Nebraska game. I'd like to see that continue.
3Run the ball This was obviously a strength, lets keep that up.
Needs to Change
1. Hit the conference season a full steam Both of the last two years, we came out of a weak out of conference schedule unscathed at 4-0. Both times, we looked totally flat and unprepared when the B1G season starts. This team needs to find a way to be ready to go from the opening kickoff when we start playing the big boys. Hopefully, an out of conference game against TCU will help, but I also want to see us ready to go for that game.
2. Trust the QB at the end of the half We need to stop leaving meat on the bone when we have the ball, timeouts, and a chance to score at the half. I'd like to see us draw up some pass plays and be a little aggressive. Obviously no stupid throws that risk interceptions, but we should be able to have the receivers run some routes, let Mitch roll out and make a decision, hit an open man if there is one, and if necessary just slide it out and let the clock run.
3. Show up against good defenses Our offense looked totally shut down whenever we played the elite defenses in conference. Obviously, its tougher to move the ball and score against a better defense, but those defenses seemed to neuter us even more than they did other teams. We have to find a way to do some damage because B1G has some good defenses.
Stay the Same
1. Win the ones we are in With the exception of the bowl game, I didn't feel like we let any games slip away last year. Every time we were in a game and it was a dog fight, we managed to come out on top. Our only four regular season losses were games where we got beat like a rented mule. We managed to make some of them look close, but I didn't really feel like we had any business losing those. This was a nice development, because in the past it seemed like this program could find a way to seize defeat from the jaws of victory, but especially against NU and Indiana, we pulled through when the game was on the line.
2. Motion and creativity I loved the way we used our tight ends and created motion and confusion, especially in the Nebraska game. I'd like to see that continue.
3Run the ball This was obviously a strength, lets keep that up.
Needs to Change
1. Hit the conference season a full steam Both of the last two years, we came out of a weak out of conference schedule unscathed at 4-0. Both times, we looked totally flat and unprepared when the B1G season starts. This team needs to find a way to be ready to go from the opening kickoff when we start playing the big boys. Hopefully, an out of conference game against TCU will help, but I also want to see us ready to go for that game.
2. Trust the QB at the end of the half We need to stop leaving meat on the bone when we have the ball, timeouts, and a chance to score at the half. I'd like to see us draw up some pass plays and be a little aggressive. Obviously no stupid throws that risk interceptions, but we should be able to have the receivers run some routes, let Mitch roll out and make a decision, hit an open man if there is one, and if necessary just slide it out and let the clock run.
3. Show up against good defenses Our offense looked totally shut down whenever we played the elite defenses in conference. Obviously, its tougher to move the ball and score against a better defense, but those defenses seemed to neuter us even more than they did other teams. We have to find a way to do some damage because B1G has some good defenses.
