Gophers go down again 48-12

Not surprisingly, the Gophers had a hard time recovering from last week’s 28-27 overtime loss. Wisconsin thumped them today 48-12. The game was a blowout the whole way with the Badgers jumping out to an early 14-0 lead and a 28-3 halftime bulge. Minnesota is now 0-4 in the Big Ten and 0-3 in trophy games this year. Their Big Ten losing streak is now five games and they are 0-for-their-last-5 in trophy games.

There weren’t many positives to take from this game and the bright spots to be found were tainted with something negative. Amir Pinnix had a good day rushing for 97 yards but his fumble on the game’s first series was returned for a touchdown. Trumaine Banks was the defense’s leading tackler but was injured and is expected to be out for the season. The numerous injuries coming into and out of this game are a grave concern.

This was a typical collapse in Madison but it is still troubling, considering this is supposed to be a big rivalry game where records shouldn’t matter. The Gophers are just as inept in their other big rivalry game when played in Iowa City.

The Gophers haven’t been skunked in trophy games since Glen Mason’s first year at Minnesota in 1997. Right now, this is looking a lot like that 3-9 season. Back then the Gophers improved as the season went on and lost by one point to a very good Wisconsin team and No. 1 ranked Penn State. It was understandable that it would be a retooling year for a new coaching staff. A 3-9 season this year, especially with weak teams like North Dakota State, Indiana and Michigan State left on the schedule, is much harder to rationalize.

With all the injuries, lack of depth and lack of overall competitiveness of this team so far it is hard to imagine this team winning more than two more games this year. Yes, the Gophers lost their star running backs but they have a senior quarterback, a defense that returned most of its starters and the key special teams players aren’t green either. This is a team that has taken a big step backwards in many areas and the position of least concern may in fact be running back with Pinnix in there.

The rest of the way will be a huge gut check for the players and staff. It will be time for backups to step in and see what they can do. The coaches will have to light a fire under their players ““ find some way to bring meaning to these remaining games. There’s the competition for a starting spot, motivation for next year and good old fashioned pride.

It won’t be easy given the team has been somewhat spoiled by regular trip to at least some kind of bowl but this is where they are at.