Strolling Through Twitterland: Minnesota vs Iowa

Unfortunately Floyd of Rosedale will be spending another year with the Iowa Hawkeyes as the Golden Gophers let another winnable game slip through their fingers. Iowa won 17-10 in what can only be described as a hard fought defensive battle.

No, that’s a lie, it wasn’t a defensive battle. If the Gophers had any semblence of a passing game they would have won this game by three touchdowns. Dropped passes, one particularly poorly run pass route in the endzone, less than ideal QB play and infuriating play calling in the Red Zone is the true way to descrbe this game.

I’ve been one of the most vocal in trying to get people to understand this is a transition year. The lessons learned this year will only help the team down the road. I haven’t exactly been happy about the losses this year but I have understood them and why they were happening. Maybe it’s because it’s Iowa. Maybe it’s because Floyd was on the line. But this was the first loss this year that really didn’t sit well with me. Yet the more I thought about it, the more and more excited I am for the future of this program.

What is encouraging me is the fact they are starting to show flashes of what this team is going to look like once they have all of the pieces in place. They have a fast, physical defense that swarms to the ball. Yet they are playing with a completely decimated defensive backfield. Jacob Huff is turning himself into an outstanding safety. Even though he is a senior, Kunle Ayinde has been a revelation at cornerback...makes me wonder how the previous regime never figured out that’s where he belonged. Those linebackers are simply breathtaking. The defensive line is starting to get more comfortable in the way they are being asked to play compared to the previous regime. Get healthy, add in reinforcements through recruiting and this defense is going to be a lot of fun to watch over the next few years.

Where to begin offensively? Obviously it’s at QB. They simply need better QB play but we don’t need to rehash that conversation for the gazillionth (is that even a word?) time over the past what 15 years. So let’s take a look at the rest of the offense. The makeshift O-line is starting to open holes the running backs are exploiting. Tyler Johnson is only scratching the surface of what he can become at Wide Receiver. Add a deep threat to complement him, get the young kids healthy and whooo boy this passing attack is finally going to be something to behold. The thing that really makes me giddy is they are starting to show flashes offensively and they are only running a fraction of the playbook. Kirk Ciarrocca is being forced to hold back because of the limitations this team has. Again, get healthy, add in reinforcements through recruiting and this offfense is going to be a lot of fun to watch over the next few years.

I was frustrated they lost this game. We hate Iowa. I miss Floyd. I feel horrible he is being held captive from his rightful home. But this team is starting to show flashes of what they will be. It’s your loss if you jump ship. I’m going to keep Rowing the Boat because I believe in this process.

Ok, onto what really matters, this week’s Stroll Through Twitterland. The main hashtags for this week were:

#RTB

#RowTheBoat

#SkiUMah

#GophersGameDay

#Gophers

-We Hate Iowa, but yeah, this is awesome. I’ll give them credit where credit is due. This is pretty amazing to watch.

-On the other hand, the complete opposite of class is...

-Seriously, someone get @baileytherapy13 to a game ASAP!

-Never gets old seeing this picture @benramsden34

-Class act PJ Fleck, class act.

-On the other hand the complete opposite of class is...

-Can’t really argue this @Chase_Liska.

-The perfect summation of the game.

-I can’t decide if I’m impressed or deeply disturbed @BenjaminJDawson

-Last but certainly not least, I was wrong this is the perfect summation of this game.

What say you fans? How are you all feeling today? Thoughts on the game? Should we form a stealth group of ninjas to break Floyd out of his jail or just wait for next year when the Gophers win by 10?

#TrustTheProcess

#RTB

#SkiUMah

Follow: @dvits14