Official Minnesota Golden Gophers Thread

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Game 3 GOPHERS (2-0) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (1-1)

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When: 11:00 AM CT September 15th
Where: TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network (TV), KFAN 100.3 (Radio)

Analysis: Gophers are 3-0 all-time vs. WMU, although the last time they faced them was 1977. The Broncos' QB, Alex Carder, is from the same hometown as Gophers' backup QB, sophomore Max Shortell. The Broncos are a passing offense, racking up 603 yds passing to 223 yd rushing in 2 games. The Gophers are only 1 of 3 B1G teams to average 200 yds passing and 200 yds rushing this season (others are Nebraska and Indiana).
I expect this game to be a lot more difficult than the UNH game, and the Gophers will need to stop the Broncos' passing attack in order to win the game, because if it gets into a shootout, I don't think the Gophers can hang in due to the inconsistency of Gray's passing. THe Gophers will need to control the ball offensively by rushing, keeping Carder and his favorite targer, Jamie Wilson, off the field. I predict that the Gophers will win, but it will be close, something like 24-21.
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Thx to Lil Uno!

[Vikefan79]

Good win today. Shortell came in a showed Gray what downfield passing looks like.

[disaacs]

Who would have thought that the Gophers would be tied with Northwestern for the most victories in the Legends Division after 3 weeks?

Hey, we've got to take what we can get.
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Thx to Lil Uno!

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Game 4 GOPHERS (3-0) vs. Syracuse Orange (1-2)

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When: 7:00 PM CT September 22nd
Where: TCF Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)
TV/Radio: Big Ten Network (TV), KFAN 100.3 (Radio)

Analysis: This will be the 4th meeting between the schools (last was in 2009). The Gophers lead the series 2-1. While the Orange are only 1-2, that's not really reflective of the team's performance, as they suffered a 1-pt loss at home to Northwestern and and a 13-pt loss to #2 USC. The Orange's current head coach, Doug Marrone, made his coaching debut against the Gophers in '09. Like Western Michigan before, Syracuse is also a big-time passing team, with QB Ryan Nassib, averaging 379 yds passing this year, which ranks #3 in the nation. One of the keys to the game will be the Gophers' defense vs. the Orange offense. The Gophers' defense has recorded 8 sacks, while the Orange has only allowed 3. Offensively, the Gophers are going to have to rely on Shortell continuing what he started last week, when he replaced MarQueis after his injury, and pass the heck out of the ball. However, that's going to be difficult as 'cuse has a stingy pass defense. I think this is going to be another close game, with the Gophers falling to the Orange 27-20.
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Thx to Lil Uno!

[marshawn lynch]

Have you guys been challenged at all or have you guys just been beating up on crappy teams.
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Adopt a Bill: Marcell Dareus and Richie Incognito

[babybulaga]

haha no we have been challenged! It is nice to see an improved team and all, but we are far from good

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The key was certainly the defense, and they were up to the challenge...that was the best I've seen the defense play in years.
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Thx to Lil Uno!

[Vikefan79]

Gophers are 4-0!

Woo hoo. Should get a decent bowl game this year.

[skywindO2]

Not really a Gopher fan, but living in Gopher country, hearing about them is inevitable. Referring to TCF as The Kill Zone is beyond awesome.
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[Vikefan79]

[babybulaga]

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