One Certainty for the Insight Bowl is Spin
by Buck Bravo on Dec 29, 2009 10:27 AM CST
in Gopher Football
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PrintWriting articles that recap and evaluate college football inevitably requires a certain amount of spin by the author. With a few dozen players seeing the field on each team, several coaches involved, and a multitude of other intangibles the articles can almost always be spun to suit the opinions of the author. Historically, Gopher football has been covered with negative spin due to a decade of mediocrity that was preceeded by two decades of futility. This season has been no exception.
If history is any indicator of what to expect from the Insight Bowl coverage, there are three possible recaps that the local press will offer:
1. If the Gophers Lose Big to Iowa State
Despite Brewster Extension Gophers Continue Underachieving
Recent Reports of Tim Brewster's contract extension were met with disapproval by disenfranchised fans. For the second season in a row, a strong start to the season was followed by a landslide of ineptitude. The 2007 season might as well be erased from the record books. Minnesota's defense couldn't keep up with the blustery running game of the Cyclones, and Minnesota's offense continued to flounder in confusion. This was a very beatable 6-6 Big 12 team with a weak schedule. Despite bringing in two classes of highly rated recruits, this Gopher coaching staff has failed to deliver once again.
2. If the Gophers Win or Lose a Close Game
Wasn't Anything Learned from the South Dakota State Game?
At the Insight Bowl post-game interview, Tim Brewster lauded the effort of his players against a tough Iowa State squad. Prior to the game the Gopher faithful were optimistic about facing an Iowa State team with a weak pass rush and a 6-6 record despite a cupcake schedule. So, a team should be applauded for hanging tough with inferior competition? Since when? Any way you slice it, this game summarizes the entire program: expect disappointment and be impressed with mediocrity.
3. If the Gopher Win Big Versus Iowa State
Gopher Fans Expected to be Excited About a Meaningless Win Against an Inferior Opponent
Iowa State had the weakest schedule in the Big 12 and barely finished the season as bowl eligible. Minnesota once again failed to have a winning Big 10 record, failed to win a trophy game, and failed to have a signature win. Yet, Tim Brewster wants his Gopher Nation to be excited about a win versus an inferior opponent. Remember the big bully in grade school who bragged about beating up a kindergartner? That's the Gophers. Hold your heads up high Gopher fans. You can forget about all of your shortcomings with this one victory over the little guy. Don't let anybody tell you that it doesn't really matter, because today you're a winner.
I don't blame the local media for their cynicism. Following Gopher football as a reporter for the last 30 years is akin to Bill Murray's experience in the movie Groundhog Day, in which he repeats the same day again and again yet it always ends in disappointment. Every Gopher season seems to end in some form of disappointment. I'm just saying that no matter how optimistic you may be about the Gopher's chances in the Insight Bowl, don't be optimistic about the tone of the coverage.
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Here is the antidote
If you want shut up the negative press, here is the gameplan for doing it. One, win the game big. Two, belittle the accomplishment as just a stepping stone. Tone down the excitement of victory. Three, marshall the forces of support. Lou Nanne, Bud Grant, Tony Dungy all have to offer positive quotes about the impressive victory. It would not hurt for Maturi and Bruininks to show some pride for its coach and team either. The combination of all these things will make it very difficult for anyone to throw stones without looking like a complete A-hole.
While I totally agree with you the problem is that thus far Brewster has been completely incapable and/or willing to NOT tone down the excitement of victory, be it big or small. So no matter what the Gophers do, Brewster has found a way to put a huge positive spin on it and call it a milestone instead of, as you say, a small stepping stone. And when you’ve accomplished as little as Brewster has on the field, it gets a bit old. Still I’d rather have them blow out the Cyclones and have Brewster call it the greatest achievement in the history of mankind than lose and have him find ways to spin it.
I like this post
funny because it is so true. This game is kind of a no win for the Gophers and staff. But Garrick is right, you can shut up the critics by winning some big games and getting to a big bowl. There is a lot of room between a BCS bowl and the Insight Bowl. Get your self to the Capital One and play well. Beat Wisconsin AND Iowa in the same year. Actions speak louder than words.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
Sometimes...
Brewster’s words are so loud that you can’t hear what he’s doing.
He HAS done some good things for Minnesota, but he let’s his mouth run a bit too much and people get annoyed, which only compounds, in the media, the problems on the field.
"Don't you want a little taste of the glory... see what it tastes like?"
It must be the way
Brewster says stuff, because I listen to every press conference and listen to every radio show he is on, and I watch the Gopher Football show on FSN and I don’t hear him say stuff that is really over the top. I think the media other than WCCO will go out of their way to analyze everything he says and ONLY report on the occasional strange or stupid quote and drive it into the ground.
"they're calling insane hogs???"
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