Big Series for the Gophers this weekend. The Buckeyes have a great record coming into the series, but have not played the level of competition the Gophers have (they did beat Miami in a midweek game though). I think this series will go a long way to determine how the rest of the year plays out for the Gophers. A series win (hopefully a sweep) will really give the young guys a confidence boost and could carry them a long way. A loss could really bring them back down to earth. I think the Gophers will take 2 of 3 this weekend.
On a side note, I know the Gophers almost have to play UNI each year, because of proximity, and they fact they are one of a few D1 teams that they can play mid week without having to miss to much schoo, etc, but I would love if they never played them again. Over the last few years they have really struggled to win any of the games against UNI. I know it is a terrible excuse because it is a quality D1 opponent, but it was so hard getting up for games against UNI, and we cannot win on talent alone against them (as opposed to SDSU or NDSU, for whom we can beat on talent alone), that going down to UNI or even playing them up here seemed like a chore, rather than a real game. Terrible mindset, espically because I know UNI probably feels the same way, but they always come out to play, and then Gophers just always fall flat.
On a side note, I know the Gophers almost have to play UNI each year, because of proximity, and they fact they are one of a few D1 teams that they can play mid week without having to miss to much schoo, etc, but I would love if they never played them again. Over the last few years they have really struggled to win any of the games against UNI. I know it is a terrible excuse because it is a quality D1 opponent, but it was so hard getting up for games against UNI, and we cannot win on talent alone against them (as opposed to SDSU or NDSU, for whom we can beat on talent alone), that going down to UNI or even playing them up here seemed like a chore, rather than a real game. Terrible mindset, espically because I know UNI probably feels the same way, but they always come out to play, and then Gophers just always fall flat.