Gopher Football
Colorado State Backfield vs. Gopher Linebackers:
On offense, Colorado State is led by quarterback Justin Holland. The fifth year senior will definitely be a good early season test for the Gopher defense. Last year against the Gophers Holland threw for 298 yards and one touchdown, but more importantly threw three interceptions. The INT’s are what has hurt Holland so far in his career. He has a very good arm and is a natural passer, but he is a little bit of a loose cannon when he throws, thus the high interception number. Last week in the season opener against Colorado, Holland threw for four interceptions, and those were key in aiding the Buffalo comeback. Still though, when Holland is “˜on’ he is a dangerous passer, and is very capable of carving up the Gopher defense.
The Rams got some more bad injury news this week when it was learned that running back Nnamdi Ohaeri is out for several weeks with an ankle injury. Nnamdi was expected to be a key cog in the Rams rushing offense this year, so with his injury CSU will have to rely on Kyle Bell and Jimmy Green. Bell is the bigger of the two, while Green is the speed guy. Green was CSU’s leading rusher last year, and last week in the opener against Colorado he went for 66 yards on 14 carries.
The Gopher linebackers had a very nice debut last week against Tulsa. New starters John Shevlin and Mike Sherels both have nice games. Sherels tied for the team lead in tackles with 11, and Shevlin did his part and chipped in 7. Touted freshman Alex Daniels saw a little bit of action and recorded his first two tackles as a Gopher, and senior Kyle McKenzie added four. With Shevlin and McKenzie the Gophers have some good speed in the group of LB’s, and with Sherels they have some power and a good hitter. I’ve thought since before the season that the Gophers would be much improved at linebacker this year, and I didn’t see anything last week to make me think otherwise.
Summary:
This will be a stiff test for the Gopher linebackers, at least a lot stiffer test than Tulsa last week. If Minnesota can win this matchup, it will go a long ways towards the defense having a very good game. But for that to happen, Minnesota will have to prove they have grown at this position and that they’re up to the challenge of a good opponent. I think Minnesota has what it takes to shut down the CSU running backs, and if the LB’s can help get to Holland he will make some mistakes.
Advantage: Minnesota
Colorado State O-Line vs. Minnesota D-Line:
The CSU offensive line has the luxury of returning four starters this year, but so far they are an unproven unit. Last season the Ram offensive line had major problems run blocking. On the season they rushed for just 1200 yards, and 3.1 yards per carry. In their first game this year against Colorado they didn’t do much better, rushing 34 times for 96 yards.
Minnesota’s defensive line comes off a solid, though unspectacular first game against Tulsa. Freshmen Steve Davis and Willie VanDeSteeg showed promise in their first career action with Davis picking up his first sack. Expect VanDeSteeg to see more action if he plays as well as he did in his limited action against Tulsa. On the inside, Anthony Montgomery and Mark Losli will hope to improve upon their performance of a year ago against the Rams, when CSU was able to blow open a lot of holes right over the top of those two.
Summary:
This is a battle of weakness vs. weakness. The Colorado State line just has not shown consistent ability to run the ball while the Gopher defensive line, though maybe slightly improved since last year at this time, still has a lot to prove. I expect Minnesota to do a better job up front against the run in this game, which means that Colorado State may end up passing a lot. That’s why I think that the biggest factor defensively for Minnesota will be how much pressure they can get on Holland. If they can get to him, Holland has proven he will throw the interception. However, if you give him time he can be a very good passer and can beat you. I’ll put this match up in the “œtoss-up” category.
Advantage: Even
Colorado State Receivers vs. Minnesota Secondary:
The best player on the Colorado State roster is probably senior wide receiver David Anderson. With a good season, Anderson will own most CSU career receiving records by the end of the season. Anderson opened with a huge game last week against the Buffalos, getting 12 receptions for 119 yards and 1 TD. Last year against Minnesota Anderson had 5 reception for 74 yards. At the other starting spot for the Rams is a junior, Dustin Osborn. Though he’s not quite as good as Anderson, it was actually Osborn who lit Minnesota up last year with 6 receptions for 122 yards and 1 TD.
The Minnesota secondary still a bit of a mystery. Coming into the year it was assumed the Gophers would probably struggle in the defensive backfield as they have in the past few years, but a new attitude last week may suggest otherwise. Leading the insurgence is junior strong safety Brandon Owens. In his first career start at strong safety last week, Owens shows an aggressiveness and desire that Gopher fans haven’t seen at that spot for a while. Cornerback may still be a little up in the air. Freshman Dominic Jones was listed as the starter coming into last week, but both Jamal Harris and Desi Steib saw some action last week as well.
Summary:
I like what I’m seeing from Minnesota’s safeties after one week, but unfortunately I think Colorado State has a chance to expose our cornerbacks. Both Anderson and Osborne are good receivers, and both could be better than the guy they’re lining up against. What is especially concerning is whichever play does not line up against Trumaine Banks. It will definitely be a still early season test for the CB’s, but you can bet they’ll be up for the challenge.
Advantage: Colorado State
Overall Summary:
A lot of people like to complain about the Gopher non conference schedule, but even those people would have to admit that Colorado State is a good team that will provide a stiff test to the Gopher defense. I really don’t know what kind of gameplan to expect from CSU. Their coach will tell you that they will try to establish a running game to control the clock. But you know that their coaches have also seen the Gopher defense give up huge chunks of passing yardage the past couple years. Personally, I don’t think the Rams have what it takes to sustain a ball control type of game against the Gopher defense, so I expect them to abandon that rather quickly and come out passing. I do expect them to have some success doing that, but I also think the Gopher defense will be up to the task of keeping them out of the endzone. Look for Colorado State to pile up the yards, but the points will come in the way of field goals rather than touchdowns.
Overall Advantage: Even
Prediction: Minnesota 37, Colorado State 19
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