So I realize asking a coach to waive the white flag before the game even begins is futile. That said, we know how Fleck coaches and we especially know how Fleck coaches games against the upper echelon of the Big Ten. He's going to insist on running the ball/draining the clock even when we are down 14 or more. It's not hard to imagine this team being down 3 scores sometime in the second quarter and the game being basically over (not for Northwestern though...). So here's what I would like to see as a fan.
1. Play to win early- Let Athan throw the football. Don't play for field goals. Once you cross your own 45 or so, it should be 4 down territory. I realize this won't happen, but if we are to somehow pull of an upset it begins with getting off to a hot start over a potentially sleep walking Ohio State early.
Now that the pie in the sky hope is out of the way, here's what I'd like to see assuming the Gophers are down 17 plus
1. Give Sean Tyler the ball- There is no reason to give Nubin or Evans 20 or more carries in a game you aren't competitive in. I want all the RB's Fleck trusts as fresh and healthy for Wisconsin next week as possible. Maybe Tyler even breaks a couple runs and regains some trust and gives us some speed to use on outside runs against the Badgers. This would also be a nice gesture to Tyler who gave up his commitment to Oklahoma State to come here. Give him the 2nd half and live with the results.
2. Give Viotto at least a couple series- Ryan Burns has believed Kramer is unlikely to use another year. Let the only other returning scholarship QB take his first snaps of college football. There's no reason not to give him a little experience so if he ever has to go in to a game next year, it won't be his first college snaps.
3. Rotate at other positions- Get some guys some playing time who haven't had it and keep the snaps down on guys like Nubin/Walley/Jackson etc. There are possibilities for some small victories of guys gaining more confidence by actually making a play or two against Ohio State after not seeing the field much all year. I'd love to see Hoskins get a chance on a deep ball or a reverse as one example as well as see the two freshman corners go up against Ohio State's vaunted wide receivers.
* I realize it won't happen if they are healthy, but I see so little upside in playing Lindenberg or Taylor in this game. They've both been injured and reinjured and we're almost 4 TD underdogs.
1. Play to win early- Let Athan throw the football. Don't play for field goals. Once you cross your own 45 or so, it should be 4 down territory. I realize this won't happen, but if we are to somehow pull of an upset it begins with getting off to a hot start over a potentially sleep walking Ohio State early.
Now that the pie in the sky hope is out of the way, here's what I'd like to see assuming the Gophers are down 17 plus
1. Give Sean Tyler the ball- There is no reason to give Nubin or Evans 20 or more carries in a game you aren't competitive in. I want all the RB's Fleck trusts as fresh and healthy for Wisconsin next week as possible. Maybe Tyler even breaks a couple runs and regains some trust and gives us some speed to use on outside runs against the Badgers. This would also be a nice gesture to Tyler who gave up his commitment to Oklahoma State to come here. Give him the 2nd half and live with the results.
2. Give Viotto at least a couple series- Ryan Burns has believed Kramer is unlikely to use another year. Let the only other returning scholarship QB take his first snaps of college football. There's no reason not to give him a little experience so if he ever has to go in to a game next year, it won't be his first college snaps.
3. Rotate at other positions- Get some guys some playing time who haven't had it and keep the snaps down on guys like Nubin/Walley/Jackson etc. There are possibilities for some small victories of guys gaining more confidence by actually making a play or two against Ohio State after not seeing the field much all year. I'd love to see Hoskins get a chance on a deep ball or a reverse as one example as well as see the two freshman corners go up against Ohio State's vaunted wide receivers.
* I realize it won't happen if they are healthy, but I see so little upside in playing Lindenberg or Taylor in this game. They've both been injured and reinjured and we're almost 4 TD underdogs.
