Let's break down Minnesota, what do we know?

[BlackKnight76]

They're eerily similar to us. Game's gonna be a total rock fight. I'm confident in our rocks.

 

[SmilinBob]

They're eerily similar to us. Game's gonna be a total rock fight. I'm confident in our rocks.

So paper wins?

 

[Crusty]

We win yaaah.

 

[CuseLegacy]

Saw this on the Gophers twitter site.

 

[sutomcat]

Saw this on the Gophers twitter site.

Well, we know one thing pretty much for sure. We are going to kill them in penalty yards...

 

[GoSU96]

Saw this on the Gophers twitter site.

Couple of things not shown there:

SU: Sacks, 22nd; Sacks Allowed, 33rd; Tackles for a loss, 19th; TFL Allowed, 60th.
Minn: Sacks, 104th, Sacks Allowed 57th, TFL, 75th, TFL Allowed, 48th

Also, 9% of the time they have called a pass play it has resulted in a sack, that's 115th in the country.

 

[Chip]

It's a weird place to be, I'll admit, and obviously I'd like to see us win it but I just don't feel the need to be heavily invested. This is an achievement that can simply be enjoyed.

Yeah, this definitely feels like a house money type game. But the more I'm reading about some of their fanbase, the more angry I'm getting, so them, I hope we win by 3 TDs. Agree that the worst scenario possible is that a 2004 Champs Sports Bowl breaks out. Can't imagine that though, they just don't have the ability to score that much even if we're having an off day on D.

 

[Crusty]

Regardless of how you look at the two teams there really is not much difference. The records simply reflect the fact that the Gophers (8-4) beat two more cupcakes than we did (6-6). The Gophers won games against teams with a combined record of 44-52 (.458). SU won games against teams with a combined record of 31-40 (.437). Both had three wins against teams with winning records.

With respect to common opponents NW and PSU, there is not much in common.

• We played them early in the season and they played them later.
• Drew Allen started both games for us and played poorly in both. Hard to know what Hunt would have done but he probably would have not done worse.
• NW was very beat up by the time they played the Gophers. We also had -4 in turnovers and MN had +3!

MN is last in the B1G in Passing Offense and 8th in Rushing Offense versus conference opponents. We are 12th in Passing Offense and 3rd in the ACC in Rushing Offense versus conference opponents.

In conference games MN is 8th in Rushing Defense and 4th in Passing Defense. SU was 7th in Rushing Defense on conference games and 7th in Pass D.

I think the numbers will bear out that we played very poor defense against good teams and very good defense against lesser teams. MN is not a very good offensive team and our defense may be up to the task.

This will probably be an ugly game and I like our chances in that kind of struggle.

 

[PantherHwk]

Very solid defensively, good running game, slightly below average passing game.

Not really familiar with their personnel, but have caught parts of several games [live in Minnneapolis] this year. They had a very solid conference season, making the top 25 before collapsing the last two games. Handled Nebraska and Penn State. Put a whipping on Northwestern at their place. Lost a pair late to Wisconsin in a rivalry game and Michigan State.

Putt a whipping on NW?? Wrong! Kolter sat out as did several other starters and the goofs almost lost.

 

[orange79]

15 bowl games all-time - record = 5-10, 5 game losing streak.

 

[RF2044]

Putt a whipping on NW?? Wrong! Kolter sat out as did several other starters and the goofs almost lost.

Maybe you should actually pay attention to more than just the final score. NW put up a couple of scores in the fourth quarter to make the final score cosmetically look closer than the game actually was.

 

[rrlbees]

They're eerily similar to us. Game's gonna be a total rock fight. I'm confident in our rocks.

We have harder rocks.

 

[Goldy]

They use 2 QBs. One is primarily a passer, one primarily a runner. The runner ran for over 1000 yards this season.

Look for them to try and implement some elements of the G Tech option attack (their staff is going to salivate when they see how awful we were attempting to defend it).

Look for the SU staff to try and defend it better. Personally, I think this is a great matchup for our defense, which is really good against a run based attack. Their defense is legitimately good against the run.

I expect a low scoring game where both team struggle to run the game well. The team that passes better has a good chance to win. Based on Hunt's play late in the season, we have the advantage here.

Special teams are going to be important. It would really help us if Norton and Riley have good games.

A couple corrections from a Gopher Fan.

We have 2 QB's that have seen action, but sophomore Phillip Nelson has established himself as the clear starter as the season progressed. Neither of the QB's are primarily passers, they are both "dual threat" QB's that have struggled in the passing game all year. Some of that is due to a decimated WR core (injuries and defections), but neither of the QB's are very accurate. Mitch Leidner may come in for a series or two as a change of pace as he is a big physical runner. Overall, if you stop the run, we are in trouble on offense. Neither QB has ran for anywhere close to 1000 yards. They have both ran about 450 yards each. Our only 1000 yard rusher is our primary running back, Junior David Cobb. They haven't ran much option this year, but if they see a weakness there, I also wouldn't be surprised if they implemented something. There were a lot of new wrinkles in our offense this year, as it seemed to be continually trying to evolve. You'll probably see a lot of motion to disguise the same 4-5 plays. Gophers were able to move the ball well vs mediocre defenses like Penn State, Nebraska, and Northwestern, and Indiana, but they had a tough time scoring against elite defenses like Mich. State, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They actually moved the ball well against Michigan State, but just couldn't score in the redzone.

You've got it a bit backwards on the Gopher's D. They are pretty suspect against the run, and pretty good against the pass. All year they have been very good on 3rd down, so while they'll give up some yards, they have been an opportunistic, bend but don't break defense. They've got a projected NFL first rounder in Rashede Hageman at DT, so watch for him for some entertainment.

I think this will be a relatively low scoring, close game. Winning the time of possession and the turnover battles will be key. Despite what some of the knuckleheads on Gopherhole say, this should be a closely contested game.

 

[sutomcat]

A couple corrections from a Gopher Fan.

We have 2 QB's that have seen action, but sophomore Phillip Nelson has established himself as the clear starter as the season progressed. Neither of the QB's are primarily passers, they are both "dual threat" QB's that have struggled in the passing game all year. Some of that is due to a decimated WR core (injuries and defections), but neither of the QB's are very accurate. Mitch Leidner may come in for a series or two as a change of pace as he is a big physical runner. Overall, if you stop the run, we are in trouble on offense. Neither QB has ran for anywhere close to 1000 yards. They have both ran about 450 yards each. Our only 1000 yard rusher is our primary running back, Junior David Cobb. They haven't ran much option this year, but if they see a weakness there, I also wouldn't be surprised if they implemented something. There were a lot of new wrinkles in our offense this year, as it seemed to be continually trying to evolve. You'll probably see a lot of motion to disguise the same 4-5 plays. Gophers were able to move the ball well vs mediocre defenses like Penn State, Nebraska, and Northwestern, and Indiana, but they had a tough time scoring against elite defenses like Mich. State, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They actually moved the ball well against Michigan State, but just couldn't score in the redzone.

You've got it a bit backwards on the Gopher's D. They are pretty suspect against the run, and pretty good against the pass. All year they have been very good on 3rd down, so while they'll give up some yards, they have been an opportunistic, bend but don't break defense. They've got a projected NFL first rounder in Rashede Hageman at DT, so watch for him for some entertainment.

I think this will be a relatively low scoring, close game. Winning the time of possession and the turnover battles will be key. Despite what some of the knuckleheads on Gopherhole say, this should be a closely contested game.

Thanks for the corrections. We are in agreement it will be a close and low scoring game.

How many people do you think Minnesota will bring to the game? Syracuse alums are concentrated along the East Coast and Southern California. I am guessing we will sell out our allocation of 4K but not bring many more than that.

 

[Goldy]

Thanks for the corrections. We are in agreement it will be a close and low scoring game.

How many people do you think Minnesota will bring to the game? Syracuse alums are concentrated along the East Coast and Southern California. I am guessing we will sell out our allocation of 4K but not bring many more than that.

I'd say similar to that since we were at the same bowl last year. Could be pretty poorly attended, but I love the TV slot.

 

[GoSU96]

Yeah, this definitely feels like a house money type game. But the more I'm reading about some of their fanbase, the more angry I'm getting, so them, I hope we win by 3 TDs. Agree that the worst scenario possible is that a 2004 Champs Sports Bowl breaks out. Can't imagine that though, they just don't have the ability to score that much even if we're having an off day on D.

Eric Decker, let alone Calvin Johnson, isn't walking through that door.

 

[Millhouse]

Eric Decker, let alone Calvin Johnson, isn't walking through that door.

eric decker was on that team?!? reggie ball was the worst ever

they averaged less than 20 points per game before the bowl game. whoa

 

[LennX6]

Very solid defensively, good running game, slightly below average passing game.

This sounds like the type of team we can beat.
Very solid defensively , but noone has stopped our running yet.
Good running game? Against Bromley, Spruill, Davis et al. I like our chances.
Below average passing game (consider this is being said about a B1G team), I REALLY like our chances.
Then the intangibles. Its leaking out Minnesota is disappointed about facing us. When has that not EVER backfired?
I can't wait for the Bowl parleys to come out to take Fresno St over USC ,and Rutgers (holding my nose) over ND, along with SU for precisely those reasons

 

[LennX6]

eric decker was on that team?!? reggie ball was the worst ever

they averaged less than 20 points per game before the bowl game. whoa

Eric Decker is Minnesota's "Calvin Johnson" , kinda sorta, not really. Hard to believe that bowl was 10 yrs ago. Wow

 

[Millhouse]

Eric Decker is Minnesota's "Calvin Johnson" , kinda sorta, not really. Hard to believe that bowl was 10 yrs ago. Wow

Ah ok

 

[BlazeOrange]

Was talking about this very topic with my dad this morning--we completely agree with your perspective on this. Sure, it would be nice to win, but merely getting to a bowl was so much more important on multiple levels.

Very successful first season for the new HC and coaching staff.

I generally agree, but it would be the icing on the cake to pull off a winning record in HCSS's first season. If we were 7-5 going in, then it's a different story.

 

[orangepassion]

A couple corrections from a Gopher Fan.

We have 2 QB's that have seen action, but sophomore Phillip Nelson has established himself as the clear starter as the season progressed. Neither of the QB's are primarily passers, they are both "dual threat" QB's that have struggled in the passing game all year. Some of that is due to a decimated WR core (injuries and defections), but neither of the QB's are very accurate. Mitch Leidner may come in for a series or two as a change of pace as he is a big physical runner. Overall, if you stop the run, we are in trouble on offense. Neither QB has ran for anywhere close to 1000 yards. They have both ran about 450 yards each. Our only 1000 yard rusher is our primary running back, Junior David Cobb. They haven't ran much option this year, but if they see a weakness there, I also wouldn't be surprised if they implemented something. There were a lot of new wrinkles in our offense this year, as it seemed to be continually trying to evolve. You'll probably see a lot of motion to disguise the same 4-5 plays. Gophers were able to move the ball well vs mediocre defenses like Penn State, Nebraska, and Northwestern, and Indiana, but they had a tough time scoring against elite defenses like Mich. State, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They actually moved the ball well against Michigan State, but just couldn't score in the redzone.

You've got it a bit backwards on the Gopher's D. They are pretty suspect against the run, and pretty good against the pass. All year they have been very good on 3rd down, so while they'll give up some yards, they have been an opportunistic, bend but don't break defense. They've got a projected NFL first rounder in Rashede Hageman at DT, so watch for him for some entertainment.

I think this will be a relatively low scoring, close game. Winning the time of possession and the turnover battles will be key. Despite what some of the knuckleheads on Gopherhole say, this should be a closely contested game.

Nice write up-Is Hageman more of a pass rusher, run stopper, both? What's the best Minnesota fan site?

 

[Goldy]

Nice write up-Is Hageman more of a pass rusher, run stopper, both? What's the best Minnesota fan site?

He's just disruptive. His sack numbers aren't gaudy, but he's always blowing up plays. Unfortunately we really rotate our Dline a lot so he's not an every down guy. He can be a game changer, but a bit inconsistent.

Gopherhole.com is the most active. Lots of bickering, but some good discussion there too. The daily gopher has some good writers and discussion also.

 

[OrangePA]

Minny didn't play Clemson or FSU or Georgia Tech and its triple option.

When they played a strong spread offense - IU - the Gophers gave up a lot of yardage and a lot of points.

 

[Goldy]

Regardless of how you look at the two teams there really is not much difference. The records simply reflect the fact that the Gophers (8-4) beat two more cupcakes than we did (6-6).

UNLV and San Jose State are equal to if not much better teams than NC State and Wake Forest. Gophers didn't play anyone in conference that was a gimme like those two.