STrib: Gophers' RB Cobb tests hamstring; unlikely to play vs. Badgers

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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per Joe:

Gophers running back David Cobb tested his injured left hamstring with some jogging during the team’s walk-through Friday, but the chances of him playing against Wisconsin on Saturday appear slim.

Cobb, who has 1,430 rushing yards, strained the hamstring last week at Nebraska and was unable to practice full-speed this week. Coach Jerry Kill said Wednesday that Cobb was “big-time questionable,” adding, “you just can’t throw somebody in that hasn’t practiced in a week.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/284190061.html

Go Gophers!!
 


Sad to hear. But I'd rather go with a healthy Williams and Kirkwood than a gimpy Cobb. And there's always a chance this is a head fake.
 

I like the idea of Leidner, Kirkwood and Nugget having the game of their lives
 

Sucks, but could be for the best. Can't risk his future and it might force the offense to step it up across the board. I'm calling Cole Banham for 175 and 3 TDs.
 




If Cobb does not go, I personally would like to see Roderick Williams carrying the mail. He is 250lbs of fresh-legged sledgehammer. Mix in Edwards as a change of pace and Kirkwood to spell Roddy.
 





afurry91 said:
I knew he was, I was just trying to make a funny.
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I know, hence the reason why I referenced her, instead of describing him.

Clearly for both of us, our attempts at making a funny didn't translate well!

Go Gophers!!
 





Cobb carried the load to get us to this point now it is up to the other guys on offense to step up and bring it home. Never good to be missing a key piece of the puzzle but at least the other guys have quite a bit of experience and also have had the week to prepare to play. I wouldn't expect the running game to suffer a massive drop off without Cobb back there but he certainly will be missed.
 

On the bright side, it's not very often that a running back single handedly wins you a game. This isn't the end of the world.

To be honest, I'd be much more worried if Leidner was hurt and we had to play Streveler.
 

afurry91 said:
On the bright side, it's not very often that a running back single handedly wins you a game. This isn't the end of the world.

To be honest, I'd be much more worried if Leidner was hurt and we had to play Streveler.
Click to expand...

Unless you're 2014 Wisconsin. 7-5 at best without Gordon. Who knows our record without Cobb. We don't really know the quality of the backups. We know Donnell is serviceable. He has lost some weight and looks a little sprightlier but he's more of a battering ram than a technician like Cobb.

There's really nothing new about this "news". He was unlikely to go this week, period.
 

Next man up!

Hopefully, our offensive line can manhandle the skunks smallish 3-4 defensive line/linebackers and Nugget bowls his way for a couple hundred yards.
 

Cobb is an absolute beast and just has "it". Not sure there is a better back running between the tackles in the country this year. This will hurt big time but with everyone playing their hearts out, we can still win with Kirkwood, Williams, Edwards, Maye, and Leidner carrying the running load.
 

Time for the other backs to gird their loins. Hopefully Kirkwood can turn that chip on his shoulder about Badger gear on campus into a great day of pissed off football.
 

I'll say it again but its not the RBs that need to step up without Cobb, its the OL. Cobb's ability to squeeze out yardage has really made the OL look better than it's been most of the year. Kirkwoodland and Nugget are big backs that can get yardage IF the line creates some holes for them.
 

It really can't be overstated how terrible Wisconsin's schedule was this year. We are the best overall team they have seen, including LSU. Losing Cobb is a big, big blow but that's what's exciting about college football, can someone else stand up. Can Williams, Edwards, Kirkwood keep their legs churning and set us up for 3rd and short. Leidner is great at 3rd and 5 or less, terrible at 3rd and 6 or more. Can Wisconsin stop Leidner on the read options? Aranda seems pretty good; we will see a chess match tomorrow. Leidner is the key, along with the protection. Then again, if the D can't slow down Gordon this is all moot.

The back that had the most success against Wisconsin was Justin Jackson.
 

We've heard it all year: one dimensional. Cobb, and that is about it. Can't pass. Win as 14 point dogs without him and you finally do prove everyone wrong. Circle the wagons.
 

I agree with Oleboy41 in that it's the Oline that needs to step up. If the holes are there, Kirkwood/Williams will get enough yards to move the chains. Beyond the OL, we will need a play or two from guys like Jones and Edwards who have been inconsistent contributors but are capable of making some of the big plays the offense might be missing.
 

I hope Williams is the main guy tomorrow. Hopefully the coaching staff fires him up by reminding him this is his chance to make a statement towards 2016.
 

Donovan said:
I hope Williams is the main guy tomorrow. Hopefully the coaching staff fires him up by reminding him this is his chance to make a statement towards 2016.
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I would like to see him get the start as well. I think his size gives him the best opportunity against this defense, and IMO he has shown to see the hole a bit better than Kirkwood. Wanna see Kirkwood in there too though, he has a great attitude, kinda guy I could see getting into coaching one day.
 

Cobb being out probably won't change the offensive game plan all that much.
Grind clock with long drives to keep becky's O and Gordon off the field.
Throw in some wrinkles to keep becky's D honest.
I'll bet Claeys has been staying up late getting the Gopher D game plan together.
Halftime adjustments!
Play with passion, & leave it all on the field.
Win the west, bring home the Axe!
 

We'll see a lot of Miles Thomas. He's going to need to lead the way through a very decent Badger line. I see him having a big part in the success of the aforementioned.
 

Fuuuuudge. Still excited, but hard to say I'm optimistic
 

Cobra said:
Cobb being out probably won't change the offensive game plan all that much.
Grind clock with long drives to keep becky's O and Gordon off the field.
Throw in some wrinkles to keep becky's D honest.
I'll bet Claeys has been staying up late getting the Gopher D game plan together.
Halftime adjustments!
Play with passion, & leave it all on the field.
Win the west, bring home the Axe!
Click to expand...

To state the obvious.... you are right that the game plan won't change - it is the effectiveness of that game plan that will.
 

I think the major downside of Cobb being injured isn't losing his carries, it's that Mitch will be significantly less effective in the read option.

And it's hard to run the read option with Nugget or Donnel, IMO.
 

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