Golden Nuggets for 12.30.08
by GopherNation on Dec 30, 2008 3:00 AM CST
in Golden Nuggets
9 comments
Yes, yes, we know there is a bowl game this week and I realize the coverage has been non-existent. But we have had a basketball team worth talking about while the football team has had very little to discuss as we limp into the Insight Bowl.
So let this be a footbal dominated Nugz. I also plan to have a preview up this afternoon for you to enjoy, but first here are links from around the web for you to get your Insight fix.
Very few (if anybody) is picking Minnesota to win this game. Clearly a Kansas based sight will not be favoring the Gophers but they believe this could (read should) be over by half time.
Simply put, as long as over-confidence doesn't set in, this really shouldn't be a game. I think Tim Brewster deserves a ton of respect for what he's done in a short time there, but Minnesota just isn't that good. We've touched on this some and there's plenty more to come, but in the end it always comes back to that point. If Kansas is focused, energized, and protects the football they'll wrap it up by halftime. If they play sloppy and allow the under-heralded Minnesota defensive line to force some mistakes, then they could be in for a long game. But with Mangino cracking the (hopefully) proverbial whip I'll be betting on the former. Kansas 38 Minnesota 20
If there is one thing I have learned it is that bowl games are never over at halftime! We'll just leave it at that and move on.
- Rock Chalk Talk is reporting that KUSports is reporting that a starting corner will not be starting for the Jayhawks on Wednesday. Two words for Jayhawk fans...ERIC DECKER!!!
- I'll stick with Rock Chalk Talk. They have a good team analysis giving the edge to Kansas in every phase of the game. Those guys are such homers, I can't believe they would think that, gosh. Really though it is hard to argue with most of what he writes. I would caution Jayhawk fans to not sleep on the Gopher offense. It struggled down the stretch but given a healthy Decker they will move the ball on what was 9th ranked scoring defense and 10th ranked passing defense in the Big 12. I know the Big 12 (*cough* SOUTH *cough*) was really good but they are not untouchable.
- On our side Buck Bravo has some good analysis on the game, you should check it out.
- The University Daily Kansan has some fun quotes from Deon Hightower about the Kansas Offense. And they have an article on Minnesota's seeking redemption (of what I'm not sure, I didn't read it).
- Broderick Smith was playing in the state of Kansas a year ago and a local TV station has a story on him, including video.
- 5 reasons Kansas could win and 5 reasons Kansas could lose.
- Link to Tim Brewster inverview (video).
Finally, in addition to the Insight Bowl and the Michigan State game, there is another really big day for Gopher fans coming this week. January 3rd is the US Army All-American Bowl. The annual high school all-star game where many of the nation's top recruits share with the world which school they are verbally committing to. Last year MarQueis Gray announced his "Golden" commitment at this game, but in previous years Gopher fans would have no reason to pay attention to this. This year there will be two kids who may or may not put a Gopher hat on their head announcing they will be Golden Gophers in 2009.
Michael Carter, a four-star CB, and Bryce McNeal, a four-star WR have held off their announcements until Saturday. Getting both would be a major boost to the 2009 recruiting class. Carter has narrowed his list down to West Virginia and Minnesota. I am feeling confident that he will follow in Tyrone's footsteps and make the trip from Florida to Minnesota. McNeal is flirting with four schools (Minn, Clemson, Oregon and Colorado). I am less confident that the local kid will stay home. My prediction is he will choose another school but transfer back to MN before his career is over.
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Hey Gophers...
Feel free to come on over to Rock Chalk Talk if you want to discuss the team analysis a bit. I will say this I wrote that and other peices over my time off last week and while I still think Kansas will be the better tested team…last nights Alamo Bowl was a bit eye opening.
Northwestern gave Missouri all it could handle and truthfully w/a kicker and one better placed punt would have beaten the tigers. That said I think all Kansas fans are taking a second look at this one. We’ve got a key corner out and maybe the Big 10 deserves more respect than they are given (blame Ohio State here) Would love to hear some thoughts from Gopher fans as w/any Bowl you don’t always get to see the opponent as much during the year as you do with most games you play.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Ohio State?
Tell me again why Ohio State is the reason the Big Ten isn’t being given “respect?” Ohio State has won a national title in 2002, has won important road games (even at Texas in 2006), has won a number of bowl games too (Notre Dame – Fiesta). If you’re saying that Ohio State is being penalized nationally because it lost two BCS title games, well, they played in those two games, which is better than 116 other teams can say in the past two years. How many other teams have played for 3 national titles this decade? I’m thinking USC (and that’s only because of the AP vote in 2004), and then…….yep. That’s it.
Look at other Big Ten squads – NW played well last night, Iowa lost four games by 10 points, Penn State lost on the road by one point. Michigan State won 9 games. Those teams are all very good.
Why is the Big Ten considered “down?” Simple – Michigan had a bad year, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota slumped down the stretch, Purdue and Indiana retreated. Do you honestly think Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois will be “down” for long?
One other factor – Big Ten football isn’t as “sexy” as Big Twelve football and not perceived to be as strong as SEC football. Sorry – smash-mouth football and tough defense is still played in the upper midwest. On the other hand, I think this year indicated a couple truisms – Big Twelve teams don’t know what defense is, and the SEC (other than Florida) doesn’t know what touchdowns are.
Gophers 34 – Kansas 20.
Looks like I touched a nerve...
I will say I grew up in Big 10 country went to many a Hawkeye and Illini game and my Ohio State comment wasn’t necessarily my own belief, because I enjoy Big 10 football, but more a general statement regarding the common feeling around the country. Yes it’s unfair, but Ohio State getting waxed twice in a row didn’t help the Big 10’s cause and because of it the media has nearly campaigned against the Big 10 this year.
As far as the Big 10 vs. Big 12 and those arguments, that will be decided on the field in Tempe. Truthfully I don’t know what the answer is. Are Big 12 offenses that good…or are the defenses that bad. Are Big 10 teams smash mouth, tough defense teams…or are they in a “down” year. Is the SEC a defensive league or are their offenses truly confused as to what an endzone is. Right now it’s anyone’s guess but to some extent the bowl games will give us a little indication of what the answer is.
Like I said above after Wisconsin got leveled by FSU it looked like the media was right, but with the Alamo bowl last night it certainly opened a lot of eyes around the country…I know it did mine. Good luck in the game and I hope I didn’t get you too fired up.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
Sorry
You’re not touching a nerve, you just are trumpeting comments that were started by Herbstreit, Corso, Musberger, and are being repeated without diving into context and figuring out why things are the way they are.
Yes, the bowl games will shed a little more insight (pun!) into the strengths of the conferences. Not much though – I think you learn more about a team between weeks 6-10 of a season, not during bowl season, especially since only two bowls matter any more (The Rose Bowl and the BCS title game). And what I learned was that Big Twelve games had aggregate scores of 110 points. That SEC teams probably enjoyed root canals more than touchdowns.
And I learned that Penn State v. Ohio State was not a dull game (taking yet another argument I heard this year). It was one of the better games of the year. The teams were solid along the lines, played good fundamental football, and the game turned on one turnover – the Pryor fumble.
Okay, maybe it’s a down year now. But here’s when we’ll find out about how strong these conferences really are – we’ll have to look at how the conferences align once the Big Twelve’s vaunted quarterbacks are replaced (Reesing, Daniel, McCoy, Bradford, Harrell, Robinson) and the SEC coaching carousel (Tennessee, Auburn, Miss. St.) sorts itself out. If the Big Ten continues to have 5-6 solid squads, and if Michigan re-establishes itself as a Top 10 team (it will happen quicker than anyone thinks), they will probably be comparable to the other conferences again. Over the past 10 years, I don’t think any other conference except the SEC can compare to the Big Ten. I’m certain the same will be true over the next 10.
I will say...
Herbstreit, a consistent Big 10 supporter, talking negatively about the Big 10 with the rest of them was probably what opened the flood gates more than anything. A lot of people(fans) respect his opinion and while I suppose it’s good that he didn’t show bias, he jumped of the Big 10 bandwagon fast and helped others off as well this year.
I would agree, replacing the Big 12 quarterback stable will be interesting and telling. I also think that defenses are beginning to better understand and defend the spread which might change the conferences perceived offensive domination as well forcing an adjustment period and a possible “downturn”.
As for the SEC, I’m a big believer in that being a strong confence and I think if they had a few more rational fan bases it might help with the topsy-turvy rollercoaster that teams down south sometimes ride.
In the Big 10, absolutely Penn State v OSU was one of my favorite games of the year as well. Michigan will get back and I think very quickly with Rodriguez. Pryor is a program changer at OSU and they were already a great program so he only makes them more viable the next 2-3 years. As for your hometown Gophers, I’m a bit familiar with Brewster from his time here in Denver and I’m a big believer that he along with your facility upgrades are going to make for some waves by the Gophers in the Big 10. He’s already making an impact on the recruiting trail and with continued success that will only improve.
As far as the next 10 years…I won’t venture to make a prediction there, because so much can change so quickly these days.
Also you claim only two bowls matter and while to some extent I will agree, perception is reality and if the Big 10 lays an egg the media will pile it on. I would also say that the Fiesta Bowl has some significance both Texas and Ohio State could be positioning themselves for some momentum next year with that one. Not to mention Texas has a bone to pick with the BCS.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
I say only two bowls matter...
…because (1) I am a Big Ten lifer, so the Rose Bowl is the pinnacle every year, and (2) the BCS title game is the main topic of discussion in almost every bowl game I’ve watched so far, beyond the actual bowl game I’m watching! Unfortunately, I don’t understand why the BCS Commissioners don’t realize a playoff could be implemented by using the current BCS bowls and adding the Cotton Bowl. There’s an 8-team playoff right there, and the current bowl season could easily accommodate it, with the other bowls supplementing the playoff.
"Simply put, as long as over-confidence doesn't set in, this really shouldn't be a game."
It’s like rain on your wedding day
It’s a free ride when you already paid
It’s the good advice that you just didn’t take
And who would have thought it figures
Oops Pow Surprise: "I'm stuck writing at the Titty Barn."
I put up a statistical breakdown this morning if you guys want to take a look...
I think there are going to be some interesting matchups in this one for sure.
Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything but they make you smile when pushed down the stairs.
How appropriate
that an Iowan is quoting Alanis. But I guess you really can’t use Kenny G lyrics can you now Hawkeye St.?
by the accomplice on Dec 30, 2008 10:07 AM CST reply actions
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