Good chance to get to 5-4 on the year. Gain some confidence for final 33% of Big Ten schedule.
Let's worry about 2-4 first
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I want Lovie to win at Illinois just enough to keep his job. That said, not this week! Illinois seems to be one of P.J.'s best states for recruiting. Keeping Illinois near the bottom of the Big 10 helps out. We don't need Bielema taking over the Illini and making them legit!
You mean like he did with Arkansas?
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Illinois is 3-20 in big ten play with Lovie SmithSurprised it favors the Gophers so much at Illinois. I watched a chunk of their game vs Maryland and their QB is tough. He took a lot of shots and escaped pressure at times only to run hard for five yard gains. Their receivers seemed to have a hard time getting open though.
I want Lovie to win at Illinois just enough to keep his job. That said, not this week! Illinois seems to be one of P.J.'s best states for recruiting. Keeping Illinois near the bottom of the Big 10 helps out. We don't need Bielema taking over the Illini and making them legit!
Like many, I was pretty depressed about the season after that awful game at Nebraska. A double digit win at Illinois would give the team a LOT to play for through the rest of the season. There is a chance to make a bowl and then ride into the off season with some momentum for a very interesting 2019. Almost no chance any of that happens without the priority goal of topping Illinois.
To have any legit shot at going bowling this one is a must win. The final 3 are winnable as well but will all be tough games that will require a great effort from the Gophers to get the W.
We should be 14 pt underdogs to Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin. Need a W this weekend.
At home against Purdue and Northwestern? No way. Something like:
+16 @wisconsin
+7 Purdue
+3 Northwestern
We currently have a 3 game winning streak be over Illinois. Can we make it 4?
http://www.winsipedia.com/minnesota/vs/illinois
Illinois should be favored by a few points. This will be a tough game for the Gophers as the Illini were skunked last week and their DC resigned. At home, they will be revved up - and they do have some explosive offensive weapons, even if Mike Epstein is not ready to go. They won't want to lose four in a row.
Illinois should be favored by a few points. This will be a tough game for the Gophers as the Illini were skunked last week and their DC resigned. At home, they will be revved up - and they do have some explosive offensive weapons, even if Mike Epstein is not ready to go. They won't want to lose four in a row.
From here on, every game for the Gophers is a playoff game.
The Illinois game is a trap game, and Illinois shouldn't be taken for granted. They are like a wounded animal with their backs against the wall inside their cave. They are going to fight like crazy.
Nobody wants to be in last place.
For the Gophers, this is a turning point. If they can string two victories in a row, it will go a long way into next season by building team confidence.
I am noticing little progressive improvements here and there in spite of losing. They are gaining more experience in the offensive line, the wide receivers, the young defense, etc... We've got a regular MASH unit for running backs.
We saw how much of a difference Shannon Brooks brought to the offense against Indiana. I can't help but be excited for the future. Next year, we have four serviceable running backs returning. The team is gelling together, and I sensed they are very close and tight knit and learning from this season.
It is entirely possible that the Gophers will upset one of the last three teams remaining on the schedule after Illinois. Lordy, I hope it is Wisconsin! I know I know. This is pipe dreams.
I feel like trap games are only for teams who are good enough to overlook someone. I'm not sure we've been that good in a long long time
According to ESPN Power Index:
Minn vs Ill
70.4% Minn
Minn vs Purdue
71% Purdue
Minn vs NW
58.4% Northwestern
Minn vs WIS
84.3 Wisconsin