Somebody Should Be Fired

[lakesgopher]

Not proveable. Also doubtful. What is proveable, statistically, is that they are not average at football.

Not doubtful at all gophers would destroy elon and Idaho, we would beat ecu and wake, we would be compete vs a bad Miami team and I think we could beat them, Louisville would smash us

 

[beatles]

If UNC is so terrible at football, and yet they are far better than us by any metric you can conjure, what the hell does that make US at football?

Please show me where I said they're terrible at football. You can't because I never said it. They are EXACTLY the level of program that we should be scheduling, a middle of the pack team in a major conference. And you ask what are we at football? We're a joke, and its because of small time thinking like this move illustrates perfectly.

 

[dpodoll68]

They are EXACTLY the level of program that we should be scheduling, a middle of the pack team in a major conference.

Why "should" we be scheduling teams that would be favored to beat us by 2.5 TDs? What purpose does that serve? Moreover, why "should" we be scheduling middle of the pack teams from a major conference? We haven't been a middle of the pack team in a major conference for 45 years!! Being a middle of the pack Big Ten team would be a refreshing change of pace. Hell, being the quality of a middle of the pack ACC team would be wonderful.

 

[lakesgopher]

Why "should" we be scheduling teams that would be favored to beat us by 2.5 TDs? What purpose does that serve? Moreover, why "should" we be scheduling middle of the pack teams from a major conference? We haven't been a middle of the pack team in a major conference for 45 years!! Being a middle of the pack Big Ten team would be a refreshing change of pace. Hell, being the quality of a middle of the pack ACC team would be wonderful.

You are a joke

 

[GophersInIowa]

I knew someone would bring that up. We played it close with USC because they didn't take us seriously at all. They were up 19-3 at the half and everyone on their team took a nap. We never led in that game, let's try to be a little honest with ourselves here. We were a scrimmage for them.

Do you have specific examples of players taking it easy or are you just saying this because it was an unlikely outcome that we played them so closely? Is it possible they played poorly but we played pretty well? I mean, that is possible.

 

[beatles]

Why "should" we be scheduling teams that would be favored to beat us by 2.5 TDs? What purpose does that serve? Moreover, why "should" we be scheduling middle of the pack teams from a major conference? We haven't been a middle of the pack team in a major conference for 45 years!! Being a middle of the pack Big Ten team would be a refreshing change of pace. Hell, being the quality of a middle of the pack ACC team would be wonderful.

You schedule teams years in advance without having any idea how good they or us will be so dont give me this crap about scheduling a team where we'll be big underdogs. Do you not see how small minded your thinking is? You need to grow a pair and fast because you are in serious danger of losing your man card. Man up dpo!!

 

[lakesgopher]

Do you have specific examples of players taking it easy or are you just saying this because it was an unlikely outcome that we played them so closely? Is it possible they played poorly but we played pretty well? I mean, that is possible.

Most forget that it's easier to "play up" to competition than it is to play good vs bad competition. We were excited to play USC and they received our best effort. It's equal to when we play the Dakota's, we will always get their best efforts

 

[dpodoll68]

You schedule teams years in advance without having any idea how good they or us will be so dont give me this crap about scheduling a team where we'll be big underdogs.

They have a pretty good idea how good the team will be, within reason. This game was scheduled in the last 4-5 years, not 20 years ago. Butch Davis was already the head coach when the game was scheduled. Anyone could assume that, at minimum, Butch Davis would be bringing in highly-ranked recruiting classes and put a lot of future NFL players out onto the field. He did exactly that. This scheduling had zero to do with who we "should" be playing. It had everything to do with Brewster being a former UNC assistant. He thought Minnesota would be on UNC's level by 2013-14. It was false bravado, just like the overwhelming majority of GH posters are currently displaying. Pretending Minnesota is better than they are does no one any good, most of all the coaching staff.

 

[calminnfan]

As I mentioned in the Mckinley thread, the issue is really the "Manhood" of the team. They shrunk back from what they felt like was a superior opponent. They should have played it and simply used the games as indicators of their progress along with challenging the team to progress and get better.

 

[howeda7]

If UNC is so terrible at football, and yet they are far better than us by any metric you can conjure, what the hell does that make US at football?

Setting aside how good UNC is or is not, the Gophers in 2013 will be roughly at the same level as they were from 2006-2011 on average. How does one justify playing Cal and USC with no issue, but running from UNC? And even if it is justifiable from a football standpoint, how do you justify the huge financial hit?

 

[dpodoll68]

How does one justify playing Cal and USC with no issue, but running from UNC?

I didn't agree with scheduling either team.

And even if it is justifiable from a football standpoint, how do you justify the huge financial hit?

I don't. I've already said that Teague shouldn't have agreed to this. If I were Jerry Kill, I would've tried to do this almost immediately, just as he did. He's concerned about building the best program he can, while maintaining his job security, just as any of us would be. An amount that equals less than 1% of the athletic department's annual budget is of little concern for Kill. If Teague was fiscally irresponsible enough to go along with it, I'm saying giddy up as the coach.

 

[mngolf]

dpodoll, the Gophers could win all but one of those four, and our naysayers would ad nauseum bitch and moan about the one we lost. You have enough experience on GH to know that.

If we did this schedule once in awhile, I'd be fine with the losses. I take NOTHING out of the games we play against crap teams. Win or lose. I can see our stadium just as full during losses to the helmet teams with the possibility of them being fuller and the possibility of winning here and there. (Please excuse the bad grammar) The excitement of playing helmet schools even with a big loss, is at times better than the win of any type over a crap team. And as a player, I would relish that challenge too.

 

[OddStack]

Why "should" we be scheduling teams that would be favored to beat us by 2.5 TDs? What purpose does that serve? Moreover, why "should" we be scheduling middle of the pack teams from a major conference? We haven't been a middle of the pack team in a major conference for 45 years!! Being a middle of the pack Big Ten team would be a refreshing change of pace. Hell, being the quality of a middle of the pack ACC team would be wonderful.

1. It might help prepare us for the 3 remaining teams on our schedule that are/will be favored by about the same margin.

2. You like to say build your arguments around facts. Wouldn't a 6th place finish in the B1G be "average?" Well then, that means in the last 12 seasons WE WERE AVERGE OR BETTER in '99 (4th), '00 (5th), ''03 (4th), '06 (6th), and '08 (6th). The '08 year might've been when the UNC game was scheduled.

 

[jovs]

The problem I have is that the expectation level seemingly has been set for the next couple of years, four years into Kill's tenure it is obvious 4-4 in the big ten would be a success, I figure North Carolina to be a mid level Big Ten team. Is 3-5 the best we can hope for in the next couple of years.

 

[dpodoll68]

You like to say build your arguments around facts. Wouldn't a 6th place finish in the B1G be "average?" Well then, that means in the last 12 seasons WE WERE AVERGE OR BETTER in '99 (4th), '00 (5th), ''03 (4th), '06 (6th), and '08 (6th). The '08 year might've been when the UNC game was scheduled.

Fair points. My post in that regard was poorly stated, and I apologize. What I meant was "a consistent middle of the pack Big Ten team", and I did not elucidate that clearly enough. I don't fully blame Brewster for scheduling North Carolina, by the way. He was probably thinking that 2013 and 2014 would be his 7th and 8th seasons as Gopher coach, and that Minnesota would be up and running well enough to compete with them by then. Unfortunately, he grossly overestimated his own coaching abilities, and Kill was left to start over and didn't want to play UNC in his 3rd and 4th seasons instead of what would've been Brewster's 7th and 8th. Yet another area in which Minnesota gets to deal with picking up the pieces as a result of Brewster's false bravado.

 

[Winnipegopher]

The problem I have is that the expectation level seemingly has been set for the next couple of years, four years into Kill's tenure it is obvious 4-4 in the big ten would be a success, I figure North Carolina to be a mid level Big Ten team. Is 3-5 the best we can hope for in the next couple of years.

I am not impressed with the decision to dump UNC but 3-5 or 4-4 are successful seasons for Minnesota (and for most Big Tens team not tOSU, Michigan and maybe Wisconsin) and sometihng to shoot for. Even in my best case scenario, the Gophers have 3-5 and 4-4 seasons just occassionally they go 6-2 or 7-1.

 

[FireDaveLee]

Setting aside how good UNC is or is not, the Gophers in 2013 will be roughly at the same level as they were from 2006-2011 on average. How does one justify playing Cal and USC with no issue, but running from UNC? And even if it is justifiable from a football standpoint, how do you justify the huge financial hit?

A different philosophy. Tim Brewster had a different philosophy than Jerry Kill.

As for the financial Hit: They'll find a way to deal with it. I'm in the camp that says "play UNC, but fine with the scheduling philosophy going forward," but I trust Kill & Teague. They'll find a way, financially.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I am not impressed with the decision to dump UNC but 3-5 or 4-4 are successful seasons for Minnesota (and for most Big Tens team not tOSU, Michigan and maybe Wisconsin) and sometihng to shoot for. Even in my best case scenario, the Gophers have 3-5 and 4-4 seasons just occassionally they go 6-2 or 7-1.

4-4 is boarderline successful. 3-5 is a losing season and any coach worth a damn would not consider that a success. 3-5 would be an improved season from the past few years, but it would not be a successful season, I see those as very different things.

 

[Pewterschmidt]

They're not average this year. No reason to think they will be next year, either. They currently start 4 seniors on offense and 3 on defense.



Irrelevant. 2012 OSU is on a bowl ban too. So were 2010 and 2011 USC. I suppose you want to argue that they are/were average BCS programs?

Foolish poster.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

4-4 is boarderline successful. 3-5 is a losing season and any coach worth a damn would not consider that a success. 3-5 would be an improved season from the past few years, but it would not be a successful season, I see those as very different things.

+1

 

[westcoastgopher11]

Man I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with dpoddoll68 on this one.

I initially was frustrated by the decision to cancel the UNC series. I've talked about it before but I was looking forward to going down to Chapel Hill, visiting some friends and enjoying the game. Kill ultimately decided it wasn't in the teams best interest and it cost $800,000 to get out of the series. Lame we have to pay but its not going to break the athletic department's bank so let's not bitch and complain over money that in the big scheme of things isn't going to have any meaningful impact on this team's success.

For all those crowing about Duke beating UNC, well guess what, we aren't playing UNC this year so it means nothing in the scope of their progression. Alabama lost to Louisiana-Monroe at HOME in 2007 and went to the Sugar Bowl the next year, crazy things happen in college football. I personally think Fedora is going to get them on track to being pretty good, but ultimately both sides of the issue are moot because we don't know where UNC will be at as a football team. All I know is NMSU is exponentially more likely an automatic "W" than UNC would ever be.

I would love to have someone enlighten me as to what this team has to gain by playing and beating UNC in football? Seriously I haven't been able to find one. We aren't going to be in the national championship picture so the SOS argument means nothing. Fan recognition from beating a historical cellar dweller in the ACC? Doubtful, the media will give us the "its only a basketball school" line if we win, and if we lose its "we lost to a basketball school". And lastly, the always popular "get us ready for the B1G conference schedule" argument.

Real talk.

This team should be thinking along the lines of how are we going to SURVIVE the B1G schedule. When this team proves capable of finishing 4-4 in the conference CONSISTENTLY, not finishing in the top half 5 out of 12 years, then we can talk about upgrading the non-conference schedule. Over the last 12 years (excluding Nebraska's 1st year that made the B1G 12 teams) we have averaged close to 7-8th out of 11th place in the B1G. (I think the exact number is close to 7.5 every year but who's counting?) 4-4 in the B1G and I promise you we won't be in 7th place in the conference.

 

[Unregistered User]

Man I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with dpoddoll68 on this one.

I initially was frustrated by the decision to cancel the UNC series. I've talked about it before but I was looking forward to going down to Chapel Hill, visiting some friends and enjoying the game. Kill ultimately decided it wasn't in the teams best interest and it cost $800,000 to get out of the series. Lame we have to pay but its not going to break the athletic department's bank so let's not bitch and complain over money that in the big scheme of things isn't going to have any meaningful impact on this team's success.

For all those crowing about Duke beating UNC, well guess what, we aren't playing UNC this year so it means nothing in the scope of their progression. Alabama lost to Louisiana-Monroe at HOME in 2007 and went to the Sugar Bowl the next year, crazy things happen in college football. I personally think Fedora is going to get them on track to being pretty good, but ultimately both sides of the issue are moot because we don't know where UNC will be at as a football team. All I know is NMSU is exponentially more likely an automatic "W" than UNC would ever be.

I would love to have someone enlighten me as to what this team has to gain by playing and beating UNC in football? Seriously I haven't been able to find one. We aren't going to be in the national championship picture so the SOS argument means nothing. Fan recognition from beating a historical cellar dweller in the ACC? Doubtful, the media will give us the "its only a basketball school" line if we win, and if we lose its "we lost to a basketball school". And lastly, the always popular "get us ready for the B1G conference schedule" argument.

Real talk.

This team should be thinking along the lines of how are we going to SURVIVE the B1G schedule. When this team proves capable of finishing 4-4 in the conference CONSISTENTLY, not finishing in the top half 5 out of 12 years, then we can talk about upgrading the non-conference schedule. Over the last 12 years (excluding Nebraska's 1st year that made the B1G 12 teams) we have averaged close to 7-8th out of 11th place in the B1G. (I think the exact number is close to 7.5 every year but who's counting?) 4-4 in the B1G and I promise you we won't be in 7th place in the conference.

Agree 100%.

 

[calminnfan]

Anyway, after today, it is very apparent we need to realize this is a long term rebuilding plan and not a one or two year quick fix. Coach Kill needs to develop a strong team as a whole and that is going to take some time.

 

[station19]

Again, keep in mind we are intertwining two topics into one.

1. Scheduling; should we schedule all four games at home and vs cupcakes or should we schedule at least one home and away vs a bcs team. Points to be made for either.

2. $$$$

If there were talks about scheduling UNC, and the decision was make to skip them and schedule another cupcake there would be some chatter here.

What causes the immense uproar, at present, is the fact the U must pay 800 K to cancel the contract with UNC.

 

[BleedGopher]

STrib Letter to the Editor:



University of Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague and Gophers football coach Jerry Kill convinced university President Eric Kaler to spend $800,000 to break a contract to play two football games with the University of North Carolina ("Ducking a so-so-foe not worth $800k," Oct. 16).

Here are other ways that money could have been spent:

1. Paying the tuition and fees for 59 full-time low-income students for a two-semester academic year at the U.

2. Paying for tuition and fees; plus, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous costs for 32 low-income, full-time students for a two-semester academic year.

3. Providing a $2-per-hour pay increase for 192 full-time equivalents of the U's lowest-paid workers, many of whom, if not all, currently can't afford to rent a one-bedroom, market-rate apartment in the Twin Cities metro area, even when working full time, according to federal affordability guidelines.

I urge Minnesotans to let the governor, state legislators and university regents know whether the U should have spent $800,000 breaking the football contract or making one of the three choices listed above.

ROLAND WESTERLUND, MINNEAPOLIS

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/175003361.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[givetheballtodarrell]

Lighten up Francis.

 

[station19]

STrib Letter to the Editor:



University of Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague and Gophers football coach Jerry Kill convinced university President Eric Kaler to spend $800,000 to break a contract to play two football games with the University of North Carolina ("Ducking a so-so-foe not worth $800k," Oct. 16).

Here are other ways that money could have been spent:

1. Paying the tuition and fees for 59 full-time low-income students for a two-semester academic year at the U.

2. Paying for tuition and fees; plus, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous costs for 32 low-income, full-time students for a two-semester academic year.

3. Providing a $2-per-hour pay increase for 192 full-time equivalents of the U's lowest-paid workers, many of whom, if not all, currently can't afford to rent a one-bedroom, market-rate apartment in the Twin Cities metro area, even when working full time, according to federal affordability guidelines.

I urge Minnesotans to let the governor, state legislators and university regents know whether the U should have spent $800,000 breaking the football contract or making one of the three choices listed above.

ROLAND WESTERLUND, MINNEAPOLIS

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/175003361.html

Go Gophers!!

I have to give Mr Westerlund credit for one thing; he represents the majority of people in the world............totally uninformed.

 

[Deleted_User]

Exactly right. We get 6+ wins next year, and nobody gives a rip if we went to Chapel Hill or not, and the Athletic Dept's loss is more than covered.

6+ is a large assumption.

 

[Deleted_User]

I have to give Mr Westerlund credit for one thing; he represents the majority of people in the world............totally uninformed.

Ha, ha. He is may be uninformed, as to your misunderstanding of the situation after being informed. LOL. Had to take my shot at you. It has been a long time. Good morning.

 

[westcoastgopher11]

Stop posting trash from this "retired sociologist, public-policy planner/analyst, administrator and higher-education institutional researcher."

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/98463654.html?refer=y

This guy is the definition of a chump.