Iowa #19 in both polls

I guess you kind of have to put an 8-0 team ahead of two loss teams...but Minnesota still has to show me they belong anywhere near where they are. They are pounding bad teams...which is all you can ask...but so far...the best team they have played is a 4-4 Nebraska team playing an inexperienced QB in a hostile environment. The Power 5 teams they have played are a combined 14-26, and all the B10 wins are against teams with losing B10 records.

The real test for Minnesota is on 11/9 against Penn State. This is where you have to show you belong in the top tier of the B10. My guess is that they are pretenders at this point. They have not faced a defensive line that can rush the passer yet...other than the FCS teams they played, and those were late heroic wins for Minnesota because they faced some pressure.

Penn State is physical and they will make you handle their pressure defense. I just don't see how this goes well for the Boat Rowers. My guess, with their remaining schedule...9-3 or 8-4 is likely...with NW being the only W. Then again...Fitz may still be looking for a second win by then...so his team will be hungry.

If Minnesota hangs with Penn State...I'll give Captain Boat Rower some props...but my advice is to milk this bye week like you are a National Championship team...the final 4 weeks may be painful. Penn State is playing for the playoffs, Iowa is playing at home, and Wisconsin wants the AXE back...and some payback for an unexpected beat down last year.
 
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cincyhawk said:
This isn't the same Minny team as week 1. I think they might be for real, like Iowa 09.
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We'll find out soon enough. I feel PSUs pass rush will find out if the goofers are for real. PSU stops the slant route of the goofers and it's a sinking boat for sure.
 
cincyhawk said:
This isn't the same Minny team as week 1. I think they might be for real, like Iowa 09.
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Or the same Minny team in week 2, 3, or 4 where they squeaked by Fresno State, Georgia Southern, and Purdue?

As for the 2009 Iowa team, can you point out the Adrian Clayborn or Pat Angerer on this Minnesota team? Our 2009 defense had like 7 guys that played in the NFL (Ballard, Clayborn, Klug, Angerer, Eads, Speivey, & Sash). I know Hunter, Prater, and Greenwood were in NFL camps at one time or another also. I'm not seeing that level of defense...when you give up 30 or more to Fresno State, GA Southern, and Purdue.

Like I said, they have proven they can beat up on Rutgers and Maryland...the real test is right now...11/9 at home against Penn State. This one is for real too. Penn State is not overlooking an 8-0 team at home. They know they have to come to play. I'll eat crow and admit I was a non-believer...and I was...gulp...wrong...if Minnesota proves they are worthy.
 
What Gophers fans think their team looks like this year......
upload_2019-10-27_17-28-43.jpeg
The true reality of the Gophers 2019 football team........

700-03508366en_Masterfile.jpg
 
WinOneThisCentury said:
I guess you kind of have to put an 8-0 team ahead of two loss teams...but Minnesota still has to show me they belong anywhere near where they are. They are pounding bad teams...which is all you can ask...but so far...the best team they have played is a 4-4 Nebraska team playing an inexperienced QB in a hostile environment. The Power 5 teams they have played are a combined 14-26, and all the B10 wins are against teams with losing B10 records.

The real test for Minnesota is on 11/9 against Penn State. This is where you have to show you belong in the top tier of the B10. My guess is that they are pretenders at this point. They have not faced a defensive line that can rush the passer yet...other than the FCS teams they played, and those were late heroic wins for Minnesota because they faced some pressure.

Penn State is physical and they will make you handle their pressure defense. I just don't see how this goes well for the Boat Rowers. My guess, with their remaining schedule...9-3 or 8-4 is likely...with NW being the only W. Then again...Fitz may still be looking for a second win by then...so his team will be hungry.

If Minnesota hangs with Penn State...I'll give Captain Boat Rower some props...but my advice is to milk this bye week like you are a National Championship team...the final 4 weeks may be painful. Penn State is playing for the playoffs, Iowa is playing at home, and Wisconsin wants the AXE back...and some payback for an unexpected beat down last year.
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Still not sold on PSU if Iowa had an offense and a decent QB.....easy win.
 
Hawk90 said:
Still not sold on PSU if Iowa had an offense and a decent QB.....easy win.
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Yep, the hawks moved the ball decently on PSU and Iowa's defense was tough on PSU but I can see MInny maybe scoring more on PSU than Iowa but PSU will score more than they did on Iowa sans turnovers.
 
Minny has feasted on turds. Not sold on their D. I feel dirty saying this, but pulling for Penn St to lay boat wood to the goofs.
 
hawkeyebob62 said:
^^This^^

Anyone who doesn't see that Minny is loaded at skill positions isn't watching their games.
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They are absolutely loaded at the skill positions...good backs and receivers. What I'm questioning is the offensive line and the defensive front seven. That's where the game is going to be won and lost the next four weeks for Minnesota.
 
WinOneThisCentury said:
They are absolutely loaded at the skill positions...good backs and receivers. What I'm questioning is the offensive line and the defensive front seven. That's where the game is going to be won and lost the next four weeks for Minnesota.
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My biggest question about the Gophers is what are they going to do when they have to play against a starting QB? Earlier this season when they were playing against starting QBs, their run D stunk.

They still have not played a game against a B1G team who has had their starter in the whole game. Nebraska and Purdue were also without their top skill position players when they played the Gophers.

But as you guys said, their skill position players are great and their OL is also coming together well. If they had a better QB, they would be really scary. Until I see him get it down when everything is on his shoulders, I still see Wisconsin as the clear favorite in this matchup and the division.
 
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