The first game?

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ruppertflywheel

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I think most Gopher fans are resigned to the fact that it would be a monumental effort to beat the Trojans. Like some of you, we're considering making the trip out to LA. Every aspect so far of Coach Kill's regime has been very positive and alot of fans who were mundane to the hire now seem to be coming on board. Would a blowout by S.Cal take the thunder out of the positives Coach Kill has built? Nobody likes moral victories, but in this case if we were to lose by two touchdowns and stayed with them for 3 quarters I would walk out of there extremely happy.
We will probably know more after Spring Practice, but I thought I would jump the gun to see what you all think.
 

I don't think this Gopher team is going to take any backwards steps from this past year. We played with USC for the most part for 3 quarters. I expect the same this year. I think it will be a good game.
 

Based on Kill's first game at NIU, I would imagine he'll at the very least give USC a game.
 

I've made the comparison before, but last year, Virginia went into the Coliseum under first-year head coach Mike London and played USC even the entire way before losing 17-14.

I expect the Gophers to make a game of it.

191 days, 20 hours, 36 minutes until my flight to Los Angeles departs.
 



I'll be thrilled losing by less than 20 in the first game. He's a coach, he can't tackle, block or pass. USC should be a lot better in their second year.
 

corcoran1 said:
I'll be thrilled losing by less than 20 in the first game. He's a coach, he can't tackle, block or pass. USC should be a lot better in their second year.
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Based on Slimedog Kiffin's track record (or lack thereof?)?

OAK 4-12
OAK 1-3
TEN 7-6
USC 8-5

There is nothing to point one way or another. He really hasn't had a second season anywhere. USC might get better, they might not.

I'd say we've got as good a shot as anyone to knock off a team in their opener. We are the trap game.
 

slippery

highwayman said:
Based on Slimedog Kiffin's track record (or lack thereof?)?

OAK 4-12
OAK 1-3
TEN 7-6
USC 8-5

There is nothing to point one way or another. He really hasn't had a second season anywhere. USC might get better, they might not.

I'd say we've got as good a shot as anyone to knock off a team in their opener. We are the trap game.
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You'd think USC would be better but there is no way to know. We'd all like us to be great in the first game but the three games after USC we have to win to have any hopes recruiting those not really solidly on board already.

Losing close or getting blown out by USC will be forgotten after the first four games if we are 3 and 1. Beating USC will be remembered for a long time!
 

I am interested to see how they play - win the turnover battle, commit fewer penalties, don't allow big plays and don't beat ourselves. If they do that I will be happy.
 



As an SC and Gopher fan, I feel compelled to comment.

SC loses ALOT of talent, and brings in ALOT of talent next year. Nearly half of all schollie players will be frosh. They lost most of the Oline, RB Bradford, WR Rojo, DT Casey, CB Wright, 2 OLBs, Havili...they are pretty much starting with a new OL and LB corps.

They are ripe to lose.

But, this is SC...in a home-opener, against a 1st game starter QB, 1st game coach, and team significantly less talented (on paper).

If Gray plays well, they should be able to score some points...SC secondary, outside of TJ McDonald, is very shaky/untested. Brewster should've attacked them more on the edges and out of the slot, and with the TE...but that's why he's unemployed.

On the flipside, SC's WR corp is lights out. Robert Woods, Kyle Prater, Brandon Carswell, George Farmer, Flournoy...not much experience outside of woods, but this is probably the deepest unit in the country in terms of talent. And Barkley should be improved, again. SC should be able to throw on the gophers all day.

1st game jitters and sloppiness...over-confident trojans...Gophers should make it a game for at least 3 quarters, barring a Marquies meltdown.

Is it football season yet?
 


Probably been posted or asked before, but what is our best guess for a start time at USC? Thinking of heading out but may have to take an early Saturday AM flight due to HS football the night before.
 

SouthernMinneGO4 said:
Probably been posted or asked before, but what is our best guess for a start time at USC? Thinking of heading out but may have to take an early Saturday AM flight due to HS football the night before.
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LSU vs. Oregon (7 p.m./ABC or ESPN)
Boise vs. Georgia (TBA/ESPN)
South Florida vs. Notre Dame (TBA/NBC)

BCS matchups (or marquee non-BCS) - Times TBA
BYU vs. Ole Miss
TCU vs. Baylor
Fresno vs. California
Minnesota vs. USC
Northwestern at Boston College
Wake Forest vs. Syracuse

A) What an awful slate of games
B) I'd bet 12:30 Pacific time at the earliest
 



SouthernMinneGO4 said:
Probably been posted or asked before, but what is our best guess for a start time at USC? Thinking of heading out but may have to take an early Saturday AM flight due to HS football the night before.
Click to expand...

For the past few years, the early season OOC home games for SC have been mostly at night.

last year, Virginia was at night.
Ohio State was a 3pm start, PST.
Arkansas, Idaho

The only issue is SC has three consecutive home games to start (MN, UT, and Syracuse)...so who knows. I'd bet on a night game though.
 

Maximus said:
LSU vs. Oregon (7 p.m./ABC or ESPN)
Boise vs. Georgia (TBA/ESPN)
South Florida vs. Notre Dame (TBA/NBC)

BCS matchups (or marquee non-BCS) - Times TBA
BYU vs. Ole Miss
TCU vs. Baylor
Fresno vs. California
Minnesota vs. USC
Northwestern at Boston College
Wake Forest vs. Syracuse

A) What an awful slate of games
B) I'd bet 12:30 Pacific time at the earliest
Click to expand...

Maximus, thanks for compiling the list of games. Keep in mind that Fox Sports (PAC 10/12) owns the rights to televise this game UNLESS it is somehow picked up by ESPN. Boise State / Georgia has early prime time written all over it (i.e. 6pm CST). I'd guess that the Fox TV executives have to decide which game to kickoff in prime time. USC /MN, Fresno / Cal or TCU / Baylor (FOX also has the Big 12 / now 10 TV rights). If I were a betting man I'd take the 2nd biggest TV market along with the 13th largest TV market for their prime time kicking off at 7:30pm PST.
 

It's extremely difficult to know, especially this early, what to expect, but remember this: the Gophers will be excited to have a new coach, and will be extremely excited to have a new quarterback. Just look at what the implementation of Gray into a significant role at QB did last year: two surprising end-of-season victories. Furthermore, USC has little tape to go on for how to defend against Gray and/or Kill's new offense.

I expect the Gophers' enthusiasm to continue in the players, and wouldn't be that surprised if the Gophers come out strong and at least keep this game close, if not have a legitimate shot at winning.
 

Saw the story that Tennessee is serving Lame K's penalties for recruiting while there. Isn't that like a hockey penalty on the goalie? Somebody has to serve. Missed the upshot of the consequences for Tenn. though.
 

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