The Northwestern Game is a Must Win.

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husker70

husker70

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1. Its a chance to be in first place with a game in hand over Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
2. We need to send Northwestern back to earth, they have lived a charmed life in the last two games.
3. We need to maintain momentum from Michigan
4. We need to get Jerry Kill his 22 win at Minnesota he will then be .500 and moving on.
5. This starts three games we have to win. Beat those you matchup against, Beat those you have and advantage on, and steal one or two from those no one thinks you can.
 

husker70 said:
1. Its a chance to be in first place with a game in hand over Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
2. We need to send Northwestern back to earth, they have lived a charmed life in the last two games.
3. We need to maintain momentum from Michigan
4. We need to get Jerry Kill his 22 win at Minnesota he will then be .500 and moving on.
5. This starts three games we have to win. Beat those you matchup against, Beat those you have and advantage on, and steal one or two from those no one thinks you can.
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Can't disagree with anything here. Go Gophers!
 


I'm normally on the side of precaution but this is a really good matchup for the Gophers.

> Northwestern makes their hay throwing the ball for the most part; the Gophers back 7 on defense is absolutely the strength of this team. Without some 4th quarter chunks of yardage through the air against a few teams when the game was already in hand, the Gophers would be much more highly ranked on pass defense and total defense
> Siemian's general lack of mobility is also a major plus, like Morris in the Michigan game.
> Playing this one at home will be huge, and the Gophers should definitely benefit from the bye week, both from a health standpoint and a preparation standpoint. Last year's surprise win, double digit dogs at Northwestern, was after a bye week.
> Northwestern's success the last few weeks virtually guarantees that the Gophers will NOT overlook this opponent.

> Northwestern has been outgained by every opponent they've played (yes, even Western Illinois) except PSU. Holy crap.
> They were a whopping PLUS FOUR (+4!!!!) in Turnover margin against Wisky and still managed to only win by two FG's.
> NU's Soph Kicker has already missed 2 XP's and hasn't made a FG over 28 yards; Gophers? #legcannon

Despite NU's recent success, this is a really good matchup for the Gophers. If they even come up even in the TO margin in this one, the Gophers should win this one.
 

Mitch cannot turn the ball over.

Mitch cannot turn the ball over.

Mitch cannot turn the ball over.
 


So far, we're all on the same page with this thread. I'll take that as a good omen going in against NW. The one thing I'll add to the TO matter, minimize and no stupid penalties and we should be in good shape.
 

No doubt this may be the most pivotal game of the season.
 

Ogee Oglethorpe said:
I'm normally on the side of precaution but this is a really good matchup for the Gophers.

> Northwestern makes their hay throwing the ball for the most part; the Gophers back 7 on defense is absolutely the strength of this team. Without some 4th quarter chunks of yardage through the air against a few teams when the game was already in hand, the Gophers would be much more highly ranked on pass defense and total defense
> Siemian's general lack of mobility is also a major plus, like Morris in the Michigan game.
> Playing this one at home will be huge, and the Gophers should definitely benefit from the bye week, both from a health standpoint and a preparation standpoint. Last year's surprise win, double digit dogs at Northwestern, was after a bye week.
> Northwestern's success the last few weeks virtually guarantees that the Gophers will NOT overlook this opponent.

> Northwestern has been outgained by every opponent they've played (yes, even Western Illinois) except PSU. Holy crap.
> They were a whopping PLUS FOUR (+4!!!!) in Turnover margin against Wisky and still managed to only win by two FG's.
> NU's Soph Kicker has already missed 2 XP's and hasn't made a FG over 28 yards; Gophers? #legcannon

Despite NU's recent success, this is a really good matchup for the Gophers. If they even come up even in the TO margin in this one, the Gophers should win this one.
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Coach has said several times now that The Bank needs to be rocking next Saturday. This is where the 11 AM start is not so good. Experience suggests that folks just aren't as vocal for the early starts as the later ones.

Hopefully this game is the exception to this somewhat "rule."

Go Gophers! Beat the Cats!
 

Two years ago we turned the ball over on the first play and that was the ball game. If we play smart and the crowd is loud we will win. Weather will not be a factor.

Go Gophers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 



No doubt this may be the most pivotal game of the season. They've got extra motivation to repay the Gophers for the lost at home last year.
 

I think Kill said something about needing a big, loud crowd for this game in the press conference last week. I know the weather may be (slightly) chilly and the 11 am start does no one any favors, but I agree it's critical.
 

Win and anything is possible,lose and they might be bowling in Detroit. Dominate up front and hurry their QB and all will be well.
 

I am sure the Coaches have seen the tendency of Northwestern to love the slant, drag over the middle. They live on those passes in the middle. And they love the quick change trick play. And this time of year and on the kicking game is key. Be ready for the fake field goal or punt. That's Northwestern. And no hail Mary ever again.
 



I expect that we will struggle in one of the next three games and this one scares me the most. Illinois can't stop the run and Purdue has been bad overall, but Northwestern is a scary game. We likely will come out flat and have to rally to win. I hope not, but we just seem to start slowly. I hope we take the first drive of the game and shove it down their throat and score and then rumble to a victory from there. I know one thing, I missed having the fellas to watch this weekend and look forward to Saturday.
 

RailBaronYarr said:
I think Kill said something about needing a big, loud crowd for this game in the press conference last week. I know the weather may be (slightly) chilly and the 11 am start does no one any favors, but I agree it's critical.
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Have a few premium adult beverages and let's get rowdy everyone!
 

we need to pack the house and be loud! Win the turnover battle and defeat the nerds.
 

I think it's high time to put NW back where it belongs and re-tame them as the Mildcats.

Go Gophers!
 


Wow, I had forgotten John Goodman was in this movie! Let's hope this is not the halftime speech.
 

husker70 said:
I am sure the Coaches have seen the tendency of Northwestern to love the slant, drag over the middle. They live on those passes in the middle. And they love the quick change trick play. And this time of year and on the kicking game is key. Be ready for the fake field goal or punt. That's Northwestern. And no hail Mary ever again.
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Quick change trick play? Please help me with this because NU really doesn't run many trick plays. When we do, they usually fail (see fake FG against PSU). Randy Walker was the trick play artist, and he was always effective with them.
 

Every game from here on out is a "must-win".
 

If the Gophers want to be Big 10 champions for the first time since 1967 then all remaining games on the Schedule are must win games.
1967 everyone, we are long over due for this to be our year.

Northwestern has not lost in Minnesota in 10 years against the Gophers so it is time to bend this curve and change that history.]
This means the Gophers have never beaten Northwestern in TCF bank stadium, that alone should give the guys a chip on their shoulders.
And yes as Studwell55 said "Mitch do not turn the football over" value the football and no turnovers and the Gophers have a good chance to win this football game.
 



gopherdudepart2 said:
If the Gophers want to be Big 10 champions for the first time since 1967 then all remaining games on the Schedule are must win games.
1967 everyone, we are long over due for this to be our year.

Northwestern has not lost in Minnesota in 10 years against the Gophers so it is time to bend this curve and change that history.]
This means the Gophers have never beaten Northwestern in TCF bank stadium, that alone should give the guys a chip on their shoulders.
And yes as Studwell55 said "Mitch do not turn the football over" value the football and no turnovers and the Gophers have a good chance to win this football game.
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If I understand the system right, I believe at this point we could assume a loss to OSU and still be in control of our own destiny.
 

Win them all. If we get the kind of QB play we got in Michigan we should win the next 4 and be competitive in the final 3. Keep grinding.
 



diehard said:
I assume no such thing. Regardless, beat NU first.
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Fair point, and I don't either. I am just trying to follow all of our possible paths to a B1G title. I certainly hope that while I type on this board, the football team and coaches are squarely focused on whoever the next opponent is at the time.
 

bleedsmaroonandgold said:
Fair point, and I don't either. I am just trying to follow all of our possible paths to a B1G title. I certainly hope that while I type on this board, the football team and coaches are squarely focused on whoever the next opponent is at the time.
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Don't let the man get you down. Dream about what can be. More fans should!!!
 

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