STrib: Leidner says cold could be Gophers' edge over Buckeyes

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BleedGopher

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per Jason:

The trek to and from class has extra significance for the Gophers this week. Any additional time the players can spend outside adjusting to the frigid temperatures will make Saturday’s weather less of a factor.

The Gophers also spent Wednesday evening practicing outdoors and will spend the rest of the week outside preparing for Ohio State.

The cold, on the other hand, could be a game-changing factor for Ohio State.

“I’m sure there is an advantage,” Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner said. “Even just being outside this week walking to class your body is adjusting to the cold for all the guys. It’s tough to come here and play in the cold. You definitely gotta get used to it fast. … The balls turn into rocks, pretty much.”

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/282508211.html

Go Gophers!!
 




In the old school the pads seem to hit a little harder, the skin bruised a little easier, bones break a little easier. Kicks, punts will not travel as well. The football is hard and difficult handle. And make no mistake, there is the effect of cold on the wanto factor. Those who embrace it, have the advantage. I think it was Duane Bennett who came out shirtless for the sprints in the warm up against Iowa at |The Bank in 2011. I think the lineman came out with sleeveless under armor and exposed arms. We need to embrace the cold, the wind, and any sleet, snow or mix. This is a Big time game, on our turf.
 


One of these teams is going to be feeling warm and toasty in the 4th quarter and the other cold and not happy.
 

Time to bring in Bud Grant and Carl Eller to give a little Pep talk to the boys and tell them how and why the Vikings were so effective playing outside in the cold at the old Met Stadium.
 

husker70 said:
In the old school the pads seem to hit a little harder, the skin bruised a little easier, bones break a little easier. Kicks, punts will not travel as well. The football is hard and difficult handle. And make no mistake, there is the effect of cold on the wanto factor. Those who embrace it, have the advantage. I think it was Duane Bennett who came out shirtless for the sprints in the warm up against Iowa at |The Bank in 2011. I think the lineman came out without sleeveless under armor and exposed arms. We need to embrace the cold, the wind, and any sleet, snow or mix. This is a Big time game, on our turf.
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This! Couldn't remeber if it was 2010 or 2011, but I remember Duane strutting out there slamming his fist against his chest. Iowa players looked at him like he was nuts and were, cold, bent over, and shivering. You could tell they didn't want to be there.
 

STPGopher said:
This! Couldn't remeber if it was 2010 or 2011, but I remember Duane strutting out there slamming his fist against his chest. Iowa players looked at him like he was nuts and were, cold, bent over, and shivering. You could tell they didn't want to be there.
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I remember that too! That was awesome!
 



OSU coaching will play a big part. I'm seeing a lot of comments like "it will be cold for both teams" or "Gophers have players from the south too" or simply "it won't be a factor." All these comments are either true or could be true. If the Gophers lose 10-44, I think we can all agree that OSU coaching kept their team on task and the weather wasn't a factor.

However, these are kids we are talking about. In many cases, teenagers at that. Minnesota has the widespread reputation (often undeserved) about the weather. You are a teenage kid already planning to deal with the cold and suddenly your plane lands and all you see is a white, leafless landscape. You tell yourself it is only weather but then your team has a turnover on its first possession. Things can have a way of snowballing (pardon the pun) in college games that doesn't happen at the pro level.

It could be a factor. I doubt OSU players will be shocked by the weather, but as others have said - the Iowa team in '11 just looked like they didn't want to be out there. No such luck with Wisconsin last year.
 

If it is 28 degrees, wind at about 15 mph, and there is a little snow or mix you have the makings of hypothermia. This is more dangerous than frost bite. When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can't work normally. You will show signs of lethargy. Not good if your motor skills are critical. The will to stay out in those conditions is a fine line between mental discipline and insanity. Most quit before it takes full effect. Long drives for an offense keeps the offense generating enough body heat. The players on the sidelines need to find ways to keep dry and warm. Heaters will do a little but riding the bike would do more.

The reason cold weather games generally are closer, is both teams are facing decreased motor skills. There are only a very few athletes who can thrive in these conditions. Most will suffer some diminished ability, others will question what they are doing in it and mentally or physically quit. This is not limited to college athletes. You have seen this in the pro game, and we attempt to protect high school kids from it.
 

I remember playing in games like this, and I'm telling you it hurts, it's like your bones are cracking everytime you get a good shot on someone.
 

husker70 said:
If it is 28 degrees, wind at about 15 mph, and there is a little snow or mix you have the makings of hypothermia. This is more dangerous than frost bite. When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can't work normally. You will show signs of lethargy. Not good if your motor skills are critical. The will to stay out in those conditions is a fine line between mental discipline and insanity. Most quit before it takes full effect. Long drives for an offense keeps the offense generating enough body heat. The players on the sidelines need to find ways to keep dry and warm. Heaters will do a little but riding the bike would do more.

The reason cold weather games generally are closer, is both teams are facing decreased motor skills. There are only a very few athletes who can thrive in these conditions. Most will suffer some diminished ability, others will question what they are doing in it and mentally or physically quit. This is not limited to college athletes. You have seen this in the pro game, and we attempt to protect high school kids from it.
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Forgive me if I can't help but see this as sort of an inverse tundra dancesforraidersesque level of weather terror. :)
 




Say what you want, but the weather definitely had a big effect on the wisky game last year. We had several guys drop passes early. Both offenses had trouble moving the ball through the air.
Here's to hoping we learned something from that game, and that OSU will need to take some time to adjust.

I'm telling you, smack them in the mouth early and often and force them to play 4 quarters in the cold, we win.
 

husker70 said:
If it is 28 degrees, wind at about 15 mph, and there is a little snow or mix you have the makings of hypothermia. This is more dangerous than frost bite. When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can't work normally. You will show signs of lethargy. Not good if your motor skills are critical. The will to stay out in those conditions is a fine line between mental discipline and insanity. Most quit before it takes full effect. Long drives for an offense keeps the offense generating enough body heat. The players on the sidelines need to find ways to keep dry and warm. Heaters will do a little but riding the bike would do more.

The reason cold weather games generally are closer, is both teams are facing decreased motor skills. There are only a very few athletes who can thrive in these conditions. Most will suffer some diminished ability, others will question what they are doing in it and mentally or physically quit. This is not limited to college athletes. You have seen this in the pro game, and we attempt to protect high school kids from it.
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You are spot on. Twenty degrees with wind can be debilitating, especially to fine motor skills. While any person can adapt physically the mental aspect is much more important. I'm in the camp that says the weather could be a significant factor. Forty degrees is much different than twenty and I'm hoping for 10+ mph winds.

The native Minnesotans/Wisconsinites know they can function in the conditions and how to recover efficiently between drives , those from down south may wonder what's happening to their bodies as the game wears on.
 

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