Check this out. 

Greetings Everyone,

Back in July, I decided to see what Big 10 football was all about... I put together a plan to visit every Big 10 school over 11 weekends as an unbiased spectator.  I went from a naive/casual college football fan to becoming more addicted to this sport than ever before! 
 
This was my most challenging life venture to date as doing it over 11 straight weekends while holding down a 60-hour-per-week job and trying to manage 3-4 other guys who joined me on this tour (none of which made it the whole way through).  It may sound nuts, but completing 11 weekends of college football was more trying than 30 NBA arenas or 30 MLB stadiums.
 
So all that being said, I've awarded my "Best of the Big 10 Awards."  Clearly, I have no credibility on any of these subjects and I was likely influenced by the quality of the game, the weather, and the people around me.  For what it's worth, here is what I thought was the best (http://www.thebig10tour.com/bests.html) in a variety of categories.
 
I am grateful to all of the Gopher fans that I met in Minneapolis, namely from the Goal Line Club.  I've definitely made some lasting friendships with many Minnesota fans that you'll see throughout the blog (www.THEbig10tour.com) and I'll never forget how the Gophers had Cal reeling in the 4th quarter of that week 3 game.  Despite the loss, I was able to see them get the "W" the following week at Northwestern where I met up with many of the fans I had met in Minneapolis (http://www.thebig10tour.com/minnesota.html).
 
Drew
11 stadiums/11 weekends
www.THEbig10tour.com

Scout.com ranks Minnesota's 2010 recruiting class #51, just ahead of Indiana. 8th in Big Ten. This probably isn't a big suprise to those that follow these kinds of things, but I don't and I am suprised. Brewster is supposed to be the master recruiter. I'm not impressed. There should be no discussion about a contract extension that doesn't have better severance terms than the current contract. He is in over his head, and the quicker Maturi figures this out, and acts, the better.

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2010

Cory Joseph and Findlay prep play Northland (Ohio) on ESPN at 6p.m. 

Possibly the future of Gopher Basketball and we can watch him tonight. Also, Look out for Tristan Thompson, who has committed to Texas and is another five-star prospect.

Northland features Jared Sullinger, the third best player in the country according to Rivals.com, who has committed to Ohio State. 

Overall, Northland has two ranked prospects and Findlay Prep has five ranked players.

Should be a good game!

From Scout.com report

"James Green, Tallahassee (Florida) Leon, has committed to Minnesota. Green is on his official visit and notified Golden Gopher head coach Tim Brewster of his intent Saturday evening. Bill Greene has the story on the commitment.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers landed a huge commitment Saturday when they received a pledge from James Green, Tallahassee (Florida) Leon. Green, a four-star wide receiver committed on his official visit to head coach Tim Brewster.

"Yes, I have committed to Minnesota," Green announced this evening. "I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great program. I think I have a chance to play next year."

Green, a 2008 graduate, originally signed with Tennessee coming out of high school, but a problem with his test score caused him to not be admitted into school.

"I feel so blessed to have this opportunity, and I have to thank God for getting me this second chance. I will be enrolling in January and I will be going through spring football. I am completely qualified academically, and I am eligible right now."

"Coach Brewster was very happy I committed as was the entire coaching staff," Green exclaimed. "I'm very happy to be a Golden Gopher. I hope I can contribute right away, and I think I bring size and speed to the table. This is one of the happiest days of my life."

Watching Coach Kelley accept the Nortre Dame uberjob with no apparent regrets, leaving his Cinncinati team high and dry,  makes me wonder if any one else might question the man's loyalty to his players?  (How do you say Rick Rodriquez?).  He probably is a good coach, but a good man?  Does committment matter anymore?  I have to question the trust factor with this guy.  This may play out like Michigan, and what are they going to do with their guy Rick?

Friday night's Cretin vs Eden Prairie game was a good football game.  The players executed prepared game plans. The best team won (over highly touted EP) with its defense and very talented QB Mark Alt, bruising full back Cameron Clarkson and of course two way star player Seantrel Henderson.  Other less noted Cretin players were great, including Brooks Hitchcock, defenders and on and on.   My point is there are winners right here in St. Paul, and the gophers must take note beyond Seantrel Henderson, who is an obvious gem.  What a joy to see  quaterback Alt take charge, dodge rushers, roll out and hit his receivers in stride with strong throws.  He also kicked an important field goal, in otherwords, he is a gifted athlete and he also stars in hockey.  Watching Clarkson play is pure pleasure as he runs over tacklers wtih his 270 pounds and piston like tree trunk legs.  He has shown breakaway speed also in previous games.  He is a football player!  Surely, the gophers could use these two players who are not rated on the national scene.  Players who win!

I watch sadly as Michael Floyd is stuck in a disaster in Notre Dame, probably going to the pizza bowl in  Detroit and not knowing who his coach is for next year.  He could have been a sensation here teamed with Decker.  He could have been a winner!  I understand Mobley from Eden Prairie a couple of years ago  has transferred from Ohio State, wasted his time there, and could have been playing here as a star hometown favorite.  He too could have been a winner, rather than a bum. Just two examples.  There is no place like home and being a local hero, and I hope the message gets through to Seantrel Henderson who just was lightsout good last night.. 

If the gophers get Alt, and Clarkson, and Henderson, and others locally, what are the possiblities in tlhe next few years?

If you were out celebrating Thanksgiving and/or the Gophers triumph over Butler, you probably assumed our next opponent would be UCLA.  That assumption was vanquished by the Portland Pilots in exclamatory fashion.  74-47 was the final score as the Pilots ran UCLA out of the gym.

Introducing the Portland Pilots

So who are these guys?  First of all, they play in the West Coast Conference (WCC) and are picked to finish second in the conference to Gonzaga (who won the Maui classic, by the way).  Last year, some wondered if Pat Mills and St Mary's might make a legitimate case for an at large bid out of the WCC.  That wasn't in the cards, but Portland could make a case this year with wins already over UCLA and Oregon.  They also play at #14 Washington next month.

The Players

The Pilots return nine (!) upperclassmen, so this clearly seems to be their year to prove something.  They are led by 6'4" senior guard Nik Raivio who averaged 16 points a game and 6.5 boards last year and is on a similar pace so far this year.

Raivio's supporting cast includes fellow senior guard TJ Campbell.  Campbell averaged 11 points last year and 17 a contest so far this year.  The Pilots three guard attack also includes Jared Stohl who also averaged 11 points a game last year and contributed 15 against UCLA on 5-5 shooting from downtown.

Portland's game seems to focus on guard play and outside shooting.  They were 11-19 from behind the arc against the Bruins which is no surprise since the Pilots were second in the nation in three-point shooting last year, converting at nearly a 42% clip from three.  Other key players are 6'6" forward Ethan Niedermeyer, who also can shoot the long ball (41% last year).  On the inside, 6'10" senior Robin Smeulders averaged nearly 11 points a game to go along with 6 boards.

What to Expect

Portland was able to beat UCLA because they out shot them from inside the arc, outside the arc, and the free throw line.  But the biggest factor was probably Portland's ability to win the battle of rebounds.  Interior play is not the Pilots strength, so any time they can win that battle they will probably win the game because of their strong guard play.  The Pilots have the recipe for mid major success:  senior leadership and strong guard play, so they should not be taken too lightly.  We better not be looking past them to the championship game, or we'll never get there.

This should be an interesting matchup for the Gophers.  The Pilots will stretch the floor in the half court to get their jump shots.  Rebounding will be a key.  We must limit the number of second chances for their guards.  Perimeter defense will need to be strong.  I am wondering if we might see a press to test Portland's ball handling.

Sampson and Iverson give us an advantage over this team.  Perimeter defense is imperative from Nolen, Westbrook, and DJ.  If we let them shoot the long ball, they are capable of making a lot of them.  We also have more depth than the Pilots, so when their best players are off the floor, we need to outscore them.

Die hard fans cannot get over the gopher football offensive embarassment this year.  What happened?  Here are some thoughts via questions. 

 Did the coaches drill the players over and over again on the offensive plays to the point that it became second nature to execute? 

 Did the coaches inspire the players to the point that they knew they would score with first and goal to go?  Did the players develop confidence over the course of the season? 

 Did the coaches kick ass and demand perfection at practice (we all know young players need that)? 

 Was there respect for the coaches? 

Did the players have discipline off the field? 

Do the players and coaches have confidence in the offense and believe they will win? 

Is Adam Weber improving as a quarterback?  Does he fumble a lot, miss receivers, see the whole filed?  Is he a leader at all times?  Is he often confused?

Why does this team struggle so much to have an offense?

I am looking for answers as to why there is this incredible lack of offensive performance. 

The regular season is just about over (3 games remaining that all should be unanimous picks).  Then the bowls come with higher weighting.  So far I am clinging to a slim lead.  Five teams are within 1 bowl game of overtaking first place.