As always, I hope and I imagine we'll have a winning season this year. Seven games remain on the schedule with some exciting games in store for the players and fans. So, Rog, (from an earlier thread) you can count me among the half-full group.
The big change I hope for this year is steady improvement as the team marches toward a winning season. Last year, we started out 7-1 and then the bottom fell out. The 2008 season was not an anomaly, however. Frequently we witnessed Gopher teams starting fast, especially through the non-conference schedule, only to collapse in late October and November. Our most heated rivals always reference our quick starts and the poor finishes. It's the expectation game.
Hawkeye fans are excited about this year's edition because they're undefeated; usually they struggle in the early going and then finish strong. Last year's Hawkeye team is a good example of finishing the year strong with steady improvement. Their upset win over Penn State in November was huge, but it was not as large as some would surmise or totally unexpected. Their final half of the season and bowl win proved they were one of the top teams in the Big 10 at season's end, if not the top team.
For once, I want to see similar growth, development, with a strong finish this year. The season is not over. It's up to the coaching staff and players to make this a memorable season. It's a true test of the players character and attitude. It's the coaches responsibility to make sure they prepare the players properly so that they're in position to win the upcoming battles.
As I said earlier, hope springs eternal and I remain hopeful!
Go Gophers!!
The big change I hope for this year is steady improvement as the team marches toward a winning season. Last year, we started out 7-1 and then the bottom fell out. The 2008 season was not an anomaly, however. Frequently we witnessed Gopher teams starting fast, especially through the non-conference schedule, only to collapse in late October and November. Our most heated rivals always reference our quick starts and the poor finishes. It's the expectation game.
Hawkeye fans are excited about this year's edition because they're undefeated; usually they struggle in the early going and then finish strong. Last year's Hawkeye team is a good example of finishing the year strong with steady improvement. Their upset win over Penn State in November was huge, but it was not as large as some would surmise or totally unexpected. Their final half of the season and bowl win proved they were one of the top teams in the Big 10 at season's end, if not the top team.
For once, I want to see similar growth, development, with a strong finish this year. The season is not over. It's up to the coaching staff and players to make this a memorable season. It's a true test of the players character and attitude. It's the coaches responsibility to make sure they prepare the players properly so that they're in position to win the upcoming battles.
As I said earlier, hope springs eternal and I remain hopeful!
Go Gophers!!
