Schnauzer
Pretty Sure You are Wrong
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2009
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- 6,367
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I am continually amazed at how on one hand locals cheer for the Gophers and want to see them achieve big things, but on the other hand continually display expectations that are out of line with college football because of their NFL clouded minds. Don't get me wrong, it has been 50 years without a title and that is too long by any definition. There should be high expectations but please don't confuse them with NFL expectations. Examples I face with locals include:
1. Equating B1G Ten titles with NFC north titles. B1G titles require rising above 13 other teams in a non-level competitive environment (money, facilities, recruiting, etc.). Winning the NFC North or even getting a wild card spot means topping 3 other teams or qualifying as one of the 12 (out of 32) teams making the playoffs, in a level environment where everyone has the same facilities and access to talent.
2. Superbowl = National Championship . Rising above 128 teams is equated with topping 32 of them.
3. 9-7 Vikings record that qualifies for playoffs is seen as a good year. 8-4 Gopher record is seen as "another meaningless bowl" and continues the ingrained perception of the "Gophers have sucked for decades." The Rose Bowl seems to be equal to making the NFL playoffs for some. Way out of line.
4. Non conference Gopher games are described as "preseason games" and most non-con opponents are seen as "cupcakes" because they are not B1G, even though nearly every other D1 team manages their schedules the same way. I've even heard from multiple people (including this board) that last year's 9-4 record doesn't matter because of the schedule. Gopher "preseason" games are often ignored and I have literally been asked if they "count" by people I assumed knew college football.
5. Treating college players like they are pros. Gopher players don't get NFL paychecks but they get booed and the backup QB is usually the only popular player.
6. Rules. I can't count as high as the number of times I have explained the difference between the NFL and college on everything from punts crossing the goal line to how many feet the receiver gets in bounds. It always tells me right away how legit the supposed "expert" is as I watch the game with him/her.
So, for many, the only way the Gophers will be seen as "good" in this NFL town is to play in (and perhaps be required to win) the Rose Bowl. I find myself wishing people here were better educated on college football. Again, I'm not saying we should be content with 50 year breaks between conference titles (not good, I get that), but the overall perspective changes a bit with college football knowledge.
1. Equating B1G Ten titles with NFC north titles. B1G titles require rising above 13 other teams in a non-level competitive environment (money, facilities, recruiting, etc.). Winning the NFC North or even getting a wild card spot means topping 3 other teams or qualifying as one of the 12 (out of 32) teams making the playoffs, in a level environment where everyone has the same facilities and access to talent.
2. Superbowl = National Championship . Rising above 128 teams is equated with topping 32 of them.
3. 9-7 Vikings record that qualifies for playoffs is seen as a good year. 8-4 Gopher record is seen as "another meaningless bowl" and continues the ingrained perception of the "Gophers have sucked for decades." The Rose Bowl seems to be equal to making the NFL playoffs for some. Way out of line.
4. Non conference Gopher games are described as "preseason games" and most non-con opponents are seen as "cupcakes" because they are not B1G, even though nearly every other D1 team manages their schedules the same way. I've even heard from multiple people (including this board) that last year's 9-4 record doesn't matter because of the schedule. Gopher "preseason" games are often ignored and I have literally been asked if they "count" by people I assumed knew college football.
5. Treating college players like they are pros. Gopher players don't get NFL paychecks but they get booed and the backup QB is usually the only popular player.
6. Rules. I can't count as high as the number of times I have explained the difference between the NFL and college on everything from punts crossing the goal line to how many feet the receiver gets in bounds. It always tells me right away how legit the supposed "expert" is as I watch the game with him/her.
So, for many, the only way the Gophers will be seen as "good" in this NFL town is to play in (and perhaps be required to win) the Rose Bowl. I find myself wishing people here were better educated on college football. Again, I'm not saying we should be content with 50 year breaks between conference titles (not good, I get that), but the overall perspective changes a bit with college football knowledge.