WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS	Game 13	MINNESOTA GOPHERS
	vs

3 Keys, 2 Players to Watch, 1 Prediction

Must Get a Good Game From Leidner - I wrote this for the Badger game and I was dead on for nearly 3 quarters, then "bad Mitch" showed up and it turned into a disaster. On the bright side, a couple of Leidner's best games have come in bowls (never mind that he's 1-2, with this only win over a MAC team). But he's played well in this three bowl game appearances and there is no getting around that this is his final game as a Gopher. But we need him to play well if we want to win.

Secondary Help - It is no secret that the secondary is depleted and we are facing a team that excels at passing the ball. This equation is not one that bodes well for the Gophers but there is opportunity for the defensive line to get unexpected pressure and a couple of younger members of the secondary to make an impression for 2017.

Control the Clock - The last time we played it was a matter of finding a way to score. But this time we need to avoid a shootout. Our defense is depleted and their's isn't particularly strong, if this game is in the upper 30s or 40s, I do not suspect we will win this game. Force them into 3rd downs, convert our own and control the clock.

OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH

• #4 - QB - Luke Falk - This guy will have the ball in his hand an awfu lot this evening and he'll have ample opportunity to do damage with his arm.
• #50 - DL - Hercules Mata’afa - 12.5 TFLs, get a body on this guy and keep him out of our backfield.

PREDICTION

To be honest, I do not see us winning this game. If we win I expect the ground game to dominate and somebody (Durr) in the secondary to have an unexpectedly good game. But it'll take a near perfect game to pull this one off with our depleted secondary.

Minnesota - 27
Washington State - 35