The Blowout Era (The 80’s and 90’s)

[EE_Gopher]

Going to U during the Smokin Joe Salem era, I just don't feel much pain when we lose by scores of20-0 or 38-7. It’s just how that period conditioned me. I was a junior in 1983 when we gave up 50 or more points in 6 of 11 games! For me, a blow out requires the following:

1. The opponent scores at least 50 points
2. The Gophers don’t score at least 28 points

I did the analysis and found that blowouts of this magnitude were extremely rare for out Gophers prior to 1980. Then, from the Salem to Wacker period, they happened quite often.

Prior to 1980 4
1980’s 9
1990’s 9
2000’s 2

I know that coaches and budgeting had a lot to do with it. But am I also correct in saying that one thing that also cut this was the limit of 85 scholarships per school? I remember that it was after this limitation that Northwestern won their Big Ten titles.

 

[Schnauzer]

I don't think there is an official dictionary definition of the actual score required to be a "blow out" in football so there can be many personal ideas about this. My definition differs from yours. Mine is pretty simple... losing by more than three scores, by more than 24 or so. That doesn't make me "right". I just have a little more liberal definition of blowout.

You wouldn't consider a 45-0 game a blowout and I would

I guess I would consider 50-28 to be a blowout even though it doesn't fit perfectly into my personal definition.

 

[Maximus]

1. The opponent scores at least 50 points
2. The Gophers don’t score at least 28 points

I'd say being down 40-6 at Iowa in 2003 would be a blowout even though it ended up 40-22.

Down 31-7 at the half at Wisky in 2004 would be a blowout in my book.

Down 37-7 in the third quarter at PSU in 2005......

Down 38-7 at the half at Iowa in 2005....

Lose 44-0 at OSU in 2006....

Down 41-3 in the third quarter at Wisky in 2006.....

To me having absolutely 100 percent no chance to even be competitive in a game would constitute a blowout.

 

[NewEngland_Gold]

Research project...wish I had the time...

Which team in the BT has had the most blowout (>=50pts) losses in the last 40 years?

 

[thailleagle]

Going to U during the Smokin Joe Salem era, I just don't feel much pain when we lose by scores of20-0 or 38-7. It’s just how that period conditioned me. I was a junior in 1983 when we gave up 50 or more points in 6 of 11 games! For me, a blow out requires the following:

1. The opponent scores at least 50 points
2. The Gophers don’t score at least 28 points

I did the analysis and found that blowouts of this magnitude were extremely rare for out Gophers prior to 1980. Then, from the Salem to Wacker period, they happened quite often.

Prior to 1980 4
1980’s 9
1990’s 9
2000’s 2

I know that coaches and budgeting had a lot to do with it. But am I also correct in saying that one thing that also cut this was the limit of 85 scholarships per school? I remember that it was after this limitation that Northwestern won their Big Ten titles.

LOL

Didn't watch many Mason games huh?

 

[EE_Gopher]

Mason had few games that come close to matching Joe Salem. Not many 84-13 losses during Mason's tenure.

 

[Go Gophers Rah]

I appreciate what EE_Gopher is saying. Specific numbers are going to be arbitrary. If you disagree with him (her?) provide your own analysis based on a different set of assumptions.

I can see the point EE_Gopher is making with their numbers and I would agree that I would prefer a 38-7 loss to Ohio State (2009) over a 84-13 loss to Nebraska (1983) or a 63-0 loss to Oklahoma (1986) or a 56-0 loss to Nebraska (1990).

That being said, last year's 55-0 drubbing at the hands of the Hawkeyes shows that these kinds of blowouts are still a very real (albeit less frequent) occurance.

 

[PlayHosea]

Mason had few games that come close to matching Joe Salem. Not many 84-13 losses during Mason's tenure.

Fair point, but don't you think that has something to do with Mason loading up on cupcakes during the non-conference schedule? Tough to get whipped by Nebraska or Oklahoma if you refuse to play them.

 

[Hates Monikers]

Fair point, but don't you think that has something to do with Mason loading up on cupcakes during the non-conference schedule? Tough to get whipped by Nebraska or Oklahoma if you refuse to play them.

Exactly. Mason brought us back from disaster and I appreciate what he did for the program. But his record is inflated by truly awful non-conference schedules and the proliferation of bowl games. Those Gopher teams had losses that I consider blowouts almost every year. My definition is in line with Maximus's, rather than EE Gopher.