Hi everyone. Gopher fan here who’s really looking forward to this game. Partly because we’re coming off a bye so I’m starving to see my team play. No question this is our toughest game to date, I couldn’t be more impressed with how Bielema has turned your program around. Similar teams I think, both with good D and a great featured RB. Game will probably come down to who makes the fewest mistakes. The line surprises me but I’m wondering if Vegas knows something about the status of Devito. Vegas does their homework and that’s my only explanation for a spread of 6.5.
Pregame: Illinois vs Minnesota, Saturday, October 15th, 11:00am CT, BTN
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The metrics are accurate in the sense that their yards per play and all that really have been very impressive relative to their schedule strength.
They embarrassed MSU just as much as OSU did. They embarrassed Colorado even more than UCLA did. The metrics pick this stuff up.
It it nonetheless true that they haven't faced a defensive challenge, especially a pass rush challenge, like us. We are 6 for 6 causing opposing QB's a nightmare, with only Bazelak at Indiana being able to stick with it and fight back at the end.
Our problem defensively is that we are thusfar in the top 5 of the nation in time of possession, which is to say we've been one of the most well rested defenses in the country. We overtaxed the D at the end against Iowa and they found a way through, with the help of an embarrassingly bad offense. We overtaxed them at the end against Indiana and they finally broke.
We are going to overtax them again on Saturday, and Minnesota has a sledgehammer in Ibrahim to punish a tired D.
Minny is justifiably the favorite. But the games aren't played on paper. I think clearly the version of the game we win is one in which our pass rush induces turnovers which make life easier for our offense, and our run game finds a way to capitalize on short fields.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
Welcome. Line is almost certainly making the assumption that Devito likely isn't starting which is backed up by some of our more knowledgeable posters. Without Devito will be very challenging for us to sustain longer drives and get TD's over fg's. Would need an even better D performance than we had against Iowa/be +2 or better in TO's or a Def/Special teams score to pull things off but you never know. You'll be certainly motivated for revenge but we'll also be motivated for homecoming/being ranked for the first time. Regardless look forward to an entertaining game where we both make it out without any serious injuries.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Minnesota has a huge game at Penn State the Saturday after playing at Illinois. Could they possibly be looking ahead??
(Doubtful.)
We're losing this game. Lunney jr. has made the strangest play calls at important situations. Indiana!
. Art at 5 yard line, what's he do with Chase averaging 6 yards per carry? Throws ball INT. Art Qb draw fumble. we lose due to stupid coaching to many Injuries.CleaverName
- Chicago but not there anymore
What do you think of this logo I came up with for the Orange Krush ?
Attachments
Not only that, we need Tommy.
Minnesota has beaten:
Colorado 0-5
New Mexico State 1-5
Western Illinois 0-5
Michigan state 2-4
Lost to Purdue 20-10.
They can’t be that tough.
The average ranking of their opponents is 142.
Ours is 79.
Colorado 0-5
New Mexico State 1-5
Western Illinois 0-5
Michigan state 2-4
Lost to Purdue 20-10.
They can’t be that tough.
The average ranking of their opponents is 142.
Ours is 79.
BZuppke
- Plainfield
I agree. Even though they have no offense, Iowa is a more talented team.
Mr. Tibbs
- southeast DuPage
Umm, sorry about the “hard day’s night” comment yesterday.
Illinir1
- Camdenton, MO
Add Purdue's 4-2 record and Minnesota's opponents are a combined 7-21 (.250)
Illini's opponents and record:
Wyoming 4-3
Indiana 3-3
Virginia 2-4
Chatanooga 4-1
Wisconsin 3-3
Iowa 3-3
For a combined 19-17 (.527) (and our results includes 3 B1G opponents to Minny's 2 B1G opponents)
No question which team has faced more difficult competion to date.
Wow, you've named 3 questionable play calls out of 350+ total offensive plays on the year. Our offense is much improved this year thanks to Lunney and we're 5-1. Lighten up Francis!We're losing this game. Lunney jr. has made the strangest play calls at important situations. Indiana!
The stadium will be rockin’, too, with more fans than our guys have ever seen at home. If motivation is the decider, our guys will have more than any other in the stadium.
Don’t forget, Illinois was picked for #13 in the B1G and they’re not exactly playing to that expectation. They’re playing for all the marbles.
We're losing this game. Lunney jr. has made the strangest play calls at important situations. Indiana!
CleaverName
- Chicago but not there anymore
It's a protective dome
Does anyone know why the DIA withholds tickets for sale? For example, it appears that only the first 8-10 rows of the upper east balcony are for sale while the remaining 30 are not. Also, both both end zone sections on east balcony are not for sale.
Does that permit them to announce a sell-out on technicality if they never put those seats for sale?
I noticed they did this last week as well but went about 20 rows up the east balcony.
These simple but cold hard facts does it for me, no matter who we play at QB. We win. For those making the argument that we haven't played anybody, then what do you say about Minny?
could be that they don't want fans to select themselves too far apart for staffing purposes.
That’s a good point, but what encouraged me to ask was I’d rather have row 12 seats at the 50 yard line than row 5 at the 20.
It seems like something they might be open to if they know about the sentiment and have a way to execute it within the framework of the system they use to sell tickets.
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