Was Rutgers our lone trap game? Or could Purdue be another?

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STPGopher

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I am hopeful that the team will come out fired up and determined. What worries me is all of the press about how bad Purdue is. The truth is they play well for a half and have been running out of gas the second half this season. Having Hardin back at corner should help, but I am not so sure we are rock solid on pass defense.

Thoughts?
 

Given our performance to date, I think every game against an opponent that's inferior on paper is a trap game. We've had our moments when we really play down as a team. I agree with you. I hope we come out and play smart football and get up and stay up.
 

Our pass D has been really, really good with Hardin/Buford active.

I'd have been pretty worried if they would've been out again, but now feel good about this game.
 


Purdue could be. They played us tough up here two years ago, and we're not talented enough to take anyone lightly. Every single conference game needs 100% output from our guys to ensure a win. And, of course, we're dealing with a bunch of 18-23 year olds so who knows what team is going to show up.

That said, if we give that 100% output I would be surprised at an upset, given how the teams match up stats wise. Purdue is pretty horrendous against the run, with the notable exception of the Nebraska game:

Maryland: 46 carries, 400 yards (8.7 ypc - season average, 5.7 ypc)
Illinois: 46 carries, 315 yards (6.8 ypc - season average, 5.1 ypc)
Iowa: 53 carries, 365 yards (6.9 ypc - season average, 4.6 ypc)
Nebraska: 37 carries, 157 yards (4.2 ypc - season average, 4.5 ypc)
Penn State: 38 carries, 257 yards (6.7 ypc - season average, 4.3 ypc)

We average 4.6 ypc this season, which isn't great, but given track records I would expect we'll be in the 5.5-6.5 ypc range on Saturday. That's a great recipe for a win, unless we start turning the ball over.

On the flip side, Purdue throws the ball a ton but doesn't do it with much efficiency - they have a lower YPA than we do. Our pass efficiency D is pretty dang good (#24 in the country) and their pass efficiency offense is pretty bad (#106 in the country). If we play how we can on D with Hardin back there, don't turn the ball over and commit to establishing the run through Brooks and Smith, I like our chances.
 


We are not good enough to look past anyone.

So yeah they could beat us.
 

Zeppelin Gopher said:
Our pass D has been really, really good with Hardin/Buford active.

I'd have been pretty worried if they would've been out again, but now feel good about this game.
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I hope the D gets 4 INTs in the PU game. >3 INTs and the gophs win.
 


A_Slab_of_Bacon said:
We are not good enough to look past anyone.

So yeah they could beat us.
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Yeah, I don't think the concept of a trap game really applies to us. Yes we could be looking past Purdue to Nebraska on some level but given what happened against Rutgers that would be really foolish on the part of any of the players or coaches as clearly we are not good enough to just assume victory against anyone.
 



A_Slab_of_Bacon said:
We are not good enough to look past anyone.

So yeah they could beat us.
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BINGO!

If they don't make mistakes (like Maryland & Illinois), it SHOULD be a comfortable win.

If they do make mistakes (like Rutgers), it will be a difficult game.

We are what we are. Play smart & I think they can play with anybody in the conference. But they are not good enough to make mistakes and comfortably beat a Big Ten opponent.
 

No trap games if you take it one game at a time! With Hardin and Buford allowed to play and sounds like Pirsig is back in practice, I think the Gophers prove to the home crowd that they are fundamentally sound football team. TCF crowd has witnessed the ugly loss to Iowa and the ugly win over Rutgers...let's hope they get to see dominating win over Purdue.
 

Any Given Saturday.

Be prepared.
 




jonnyganas said:
No trap games if you take it one game at a time! With Hardin and Buford allowed to play and sounds like Pirsig is back in practice, I think the Gophers prove to the home crowd that they are fundamentally sound football team. TCF crowd has witnessed the ugly loss to Iowa and the ugly win over Rutgers...let's hope they get to see dominating win over Purdue.
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For starters, I'd be happy with 3 or less penalties.
 


When you're the Minnesota Golden Gophers, every game is a trap. Until further notice.
 



After all of the abuse the Gophers took from Purdue in the late 1990's to mid 2000's I am more than happy to see the Gophers pound the Boilermakers. Remember there was a running back from St Paul who play's for Purdue that says he is super excited to play the Gophers because they are going to score a ton of points on the Gophers. Purdue has already been talking smack, would be nice to see the Gophers defense play physical and pound the will out of those guys. Not looking past the Boilermakers, plus one of their drunk fan's tried to pee on us from the top of the parking ramp on the way to the bank two years ago. Go Gophers, beat the PISS out of Purdue!
 

STPGopher said:
We talking first half or second half? Sad thing is we've seen this before.:mad: I've come to the conclusion that the defense's reputation precedes them.
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I'm pretty sure any helmet to helmet contact at any speed is just gonna be targeting now.
 

Why do people obsess over that 2014 Purdue game like it is some indicator that will we automatically struggle against them? We weren't prepared for their offense that year, but neither was Michigan St the week before. They had some great individual performances from guys who are long gone. Last year we destroyed them. Does it mean we'll win? No. But the likelihood that we win is far greater than them winning. The key is never giving them a single ounce of hope.
 




pace makes the race

Boilers are going have us down by 14 -17 pts in the 1st quarter. going to be gut check time for both the coaching staff and the players as MN goes short pass/run/run/punt repeatedly.
 

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