Gopher Football
Indiana Linebackers vs. Minnesota Backfield
Just like last year, junior linebacker Kyle Killion is leading the Hoosiers in tackles with 72. Along with his tackling ability, he is often around the ball, registering 10.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, and 2 fumble recoveries. After starting four games his freshman year and every game his sophomore year, Killion is a leader for this defense and team. Next to Killion will be sophomore Jake Powers, a smaller 220 pound linebacker whose speed can be a factor, and junior Paul Szczesny, a junior college transfer who so far this season has made an immediate impact, collecting 55 tackles.
In this match up, however, the attention will be once again on Minnesota’s backfield. Once again the dynamic duo of Marion Barber and Laurence Maroney should shine against this less than average defense, and if top backups Amir Pinnix and Gary Russell get into the mix, the Hoosiers could be in for a very long day defending the run. Maroney will be looking to get off a slide of sorts; in the past two games he has carried the ball a total of 28 times for a less-than-Maroney number of 126 yards. Barber, on the other hand, got back on track last week against Illinois, producing 138 yards and two touchdowns.
Bryan Cupito had a much easier time throwing the ball against Illinois than he did against Michigan State; the Illini linebackers were often unable to get through the offensive line to Cupito, and when they did, they usually found one of the Gopher backs to greet them. Cupito’s completion numbers are still below average, but with zero interceptions last week and only 3 all year, he isn’t forcing a lot of bad throws into coverage.
Summary:
Should the Gophers be looking ahead to Wisconsin next week, they will be surprised against a feisty, but not always good, Indiana linebacking corps. However, if Maroney and Barber are on, the Hoosiers smallish group will have a tough time containing or even slowing down the Gopher running game.
Advantage: Minnesota
Indiana D-Line vs. Minnesota O-Line
The Indiana defensive line has its problems; last season, only 17 sacks were recorded and this season, while the line was supposed to be better, it has shown little signs of improvement. At defensive end, Victor Adeyanju has been the brightest spot, recording 3 sacks and 23 tackles in the Hoosiers 7 games. On the other side of the line is Kenny Kendal, a 6’3″ sophomore who established himself as a fixture on the defensive front last season. Inside, the tackles are small, averaging a mere 278 pounds.
Across from this will be Minnesota’s offensive front; up and down all season long, this is the one group on the offense that still has to settle into a constant rhythm. After giving up what seemed to be sack after sack against Michigan State, the line could often be found two steps ahead of Illinois’ defense, throwing excellent downfield blocks and protecting Bryan Cupito from blitzing linebackers and varying defensive fronts. Greg Eslinger, the multi-award candidate for Minnesota, really shined last week, throwing some key blocks on Illini defenders.
Summary:
The Hoosier defensive line shouldn’t be able to get much pressure on Cupito; they shouldn’t be able to get through the big Minnesota front to stop the Gopher backs in the backfield. However, Michigan State should not have been able to hold the Gophers to so few rushing yards in their contest a few weeks ago. With this Gopher line, fans need to expect the unexpected. However this weekend, fans should be able to rest easy knowing the competition the Gophers will be up against.
Advantage: Minnesota
Indiana Secondary vs. Minnesota Receivers
Indiana’s secondary as been downright awful this season; they are giving up 245 yards per game (good for 90th in the country) and have improved little as the season has moved on. Free safety Herena-Daze Jones, a All-Big Ten honorable mention last season, leads the secondary this season with 72 tackles. Coming from seemingly nowhere to assist Jones has been true freshman Tracy Porter, an explosive player who has returned his team-leading three interceptions for a total of 115 yards. Will Meyers, the strong safety, has hardly contributed at all this season, breaking up only one pass and often getting burned by larger and more experienced players.
Ernie Wheelwright keeps showing college football why he will be one of the premier receivers in the coming years. His circus catches and ability to break open a big play has helped make the transition to starter much easier for Bryan Cupito. Most likely, Wheelwright will catch a lot of attention from Meyers and Jones, both of whom he has a sizeable height advantage over. Forgotten in this “˜Ernie-mania’ has been Jared Ellerson, a still dangerous receiver who will more often than not line up opposite Porter. If Ellerson can rattle the true freshman early, he could have a huge day numbers wise. Re-emerging last week was Paris Hamilton, and though he only caught one pass, it went for 82 yards and a touchdown. He should draw some extra attention when he steps onto the field as well.
Summary:
With so many weapons emerging week after week, the Gophers passing game should be in good shape in this game if two things happen: a) Bryan Cupito plays well in a hostile environment and b) the Minnesota receivers can use their height and experience to their advantage and break some big plays on the Hoosiers early. Both of these should happen, and the passing game, not the running game, with provide the early spark for the Gophers.
Advantage: Minnesota
Overall Summary
Ok Minnesota fans, let’s be real. The Gophers are leading the Big Ten in total offense, while Indiana is hovering near the bottom in total defense. The Gophers offense rolled last week, Indiana was rolled by a mediocre Ohio State team. These factors should, and I repeat, SHOULD spell a blowout by Minnesota. But, stranger things have happened. This is why the Gophers need to come out firing on all cylinders and never give the Hoosiers a chance. If that happens, this one shouldn’t be close.
Overall Advantage: Minnesota