15. I recognize that Minnesota has somehow managed to randomly play all of the bottom B1G teams, and their overall schedule strength has not been good. However, a team playing with confidence is very hard to stop. They also trounced Illinois. Illinois is a much better team than we thought they were. They have also had higher margins of victory than PSU did against their common opponents.Ah, no they didn't. They will have four common opponents by the end of the year, but they only have two so far because Minnesota hasn't played Iowa yet and Penn State hasn't played Rutgers yet. Here are the two common opponents:
Ah, no they didn't. They will have four common opponents by the end of the year, but they only have two so far because Minnesota hasn't played Iowa yet and Penn State hasn't played Rutgers yet. Here are the two common opponents:You are correct, I don’t know what I was thinking!
- Purdue: PSU won by 28, MN won by 7
- Maryland: PSU won by 59, MN won by 42
A somewhat deeper look:
Purdue:
The Nittany Lions obliterated Purdue. The game was never in doubt. Penn State led 28-0 early in the second quarter and coasted to an easy 35-7 win. Purdue's one TD win was maybe not quite as close as the final score made it look but it was competitive until late in the third quarter when the Gophers attained a three score lead at 38-17 and after that Purdue kept fighting and scored two fourth quarter TD's to get to the final, 38-31 score. After Purdue's final TD made it a seven point game, the Gophers got the ball back with 3:59 to go and needed to pick up several first downs to ice the game. The successfully did that, going 41 yards in eight plays but a timely PI penalty on a 3rd and 6 with 3:10 to play was key. Without that call Purdue would have gotten the ball needing just one TD to tie it up.
Maryland:
The Nittany Lions obliterated Maryland. The game was a laugher and never in doubt. Penn State led 38-0 at halftime and scored three more TD's in the second half for a 59-0 route. Minnesota's win over Maryland was also decisive but not quite so much as Penn State's. The Gophers led 28-3 at halftime and 45-3 before Maryland found the endzone. Then Minnesota scored again for the final margin of 52-10.
You are correct, I don’t know what I was thinking!Not necessarily easily.
I am assuming you think PSU will won easily?
12. Minnesota's defense is much, much stronger now than it was at the beginning of the year, as they have only allowed 5 touchdowns in the last 4 games. However, I do think Penn State is more than capable of moving the ball against them.
Ah, no they didn't. They will have four common opponents by the end of the year, but they only have two so far because Minnesota hasn't played Iowa yet and Penn State hasn't played Rutgers yet. Here are the two common opponents:
- Purdue: PSU won by 28, MN won by 7
- Maryland: PSU won by 59, MN won by 42
A somewhat deeper look:
Purdue:
The Nittany Lions obliterated Purdue. The game was never in doubt. Penn State led 28-0 early in the second quarter and coasted to an easy 35-7 win. Purdue's one TD win was maybe not quite as close as the final score made it look but it was competitive until late in the third quarter when the Gophers attained a three score lead at 38-17 and after that Purdue kept fighting and scored two fourth quarter TD's to get to the final, 38-31 score. After Purdue's final TD made it a seven point game, the Gophers got the ball back with 3:59 to go and needed to pick up several first downs to ice the game. The successfully did that, going 41 yards in eight plays but a timely PI penalty on a 3rd and 6 with 3:10 to play was key. Without that call Purdue would have gotten the ball needing just one TD to tie it up.
Maryland:
The Nittany Lions obliterated Maryland. The game was a laugher and never in doubt. Penn State led 38-0 at halftime and scored three more TD's in the second half for a 59-0 route. Minnesota's win over Maryland was also decisive but not quite so much as Penn State's. The Gophers led 28-3 at halftime and 45-3 before Maryland found the endzone. Then Minnesota scored again for the final margin of 52-10.
***BIG TEN GAME OF THE WEEK*** |
#4 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 8-0) at #17 Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-0, 8-0) |
NOON - Minneapolis, MN |
Here it is. Gameday missed a chance for what could be an absolutely electric atmosphere. It's a noon kick, it's going to be freezing cold, it's some fresh blood, it's going to be a ton of fun. I can't remember the last time I was this geeked for a non-Michigan State game. Is Ohio State-Penn State going to be bigger if both are still undefeated? Obviously. Have there been bigger games in the conference, even in recent history? Sure. But this is undefeated Minnesota in November. In a sport that is designed to keep the power consolidated in the few who have always held it, there is something extra special about a fresh face. This is #15 Wisconsin hosting #3 Ohio State in 1993; #6 Northwestern hosting #12 Penn State in 1995; #16 Purdue hosting #12 Ohio State in 2000; #13 Iowa going to #8 Michigan in 2002; or #15 Michigan State hosting #4 Wisconsin in 2011. Win or lose. Fake or real, it's just nice to see an up and comer get their shot on the big stage. The easy take I've been hearing all week is how this is destined to be a defensive slug fest. The Gophers and Nittany Lions are 2nd and 3rd in the Big Ten in scoring offense, behind Ohio State, #2 and #5 in ypp. The Penn State story has been just how strong their defensive line has been all the way across. They don't have a Chase Young type, they don't have a single player in the top 7 in the Big Ten in sacks, but as a team are tied with Michigan in sacks per game. That narrative has been reliant on some gawdy early numbers. Recently, the production has not been so good. They racked up 14 sacks in their first two Big Ten games, against Maryland and Purdue. Just 5 in the three games since, and it's not as though Michigan State and Iowa have great offensive lines. Over that three game stretch they have only recorded sacks on 3.66% of opponent drop backs, in the bottom 30 of the country. They have to battle a Minnesota offensive line that averages 340 pounds per man, likely the largest in the country? How does that big of a front, with a backfield that goes three deep without a dropoff wear on a team over the course of a game? There is no surprise that Minnesota is #8 nationally, and #1 in the Big Ten at 10.4 4th quarter ppg. That matters in a lot in a game like this that feels like Minnesota could jump out quickly with heavy home field momentum, and then spend three quarters trying to hold on. The problem is the Gophers, while averaging a Big Ten best 10.8 ypa passing, simply don't pass the ball enough. At just 33.7% of the time, on 7 schools in the FBS (and one in the Power 5) are more run heavy, and four of them are triple option teams. Penn State's run defense is leading the nation, allowing just 2.2 ypa. The Gophers are going to have to pass the ball more than 20 times to win, even if they jump out to an early lead. While Minnesota is second in the Big Ten in rushing, the best run defense they've face to date? Georgia Southern. |
PENN STATE 30, MINNESOTA 21 |
I hope Minny wins but don't think they will.This is where I'm at as well. The Gophers have pushed the rock up the mountain so many times over the years, and I'd love to see it roll over the summit one of these times.
This is where I'm at as well. The Gophers have pushed the rock up the mountain so many times over the years, and I'd love to see it roll over the summit one of these times.I'll be honest, at first I though Minnesota stood no chance. Then I started analyzing their team and it is an entirely different story. Their wide receivers can make a case for being the best in the B1G. Their QB is completing nearly 2/3rds of his passes, and is second in the league in pass efficiency. Their offensive line is excellent. Their defense has been incredible over the last few games. They match up well both defensively and offensively. Penn State's secondary is depleted due to injuries, and their starting DT is suspended for this game.
This is where I'm at as well. The Gophers have pushed the rock up the mountain so many times over the years, and I'd love to see it roll over the summit one of these times.most honest gopher fans or should I say old enough fans to know better have this same opinion. I really dont know what to expect as I think it can be a game that goes anywhere from Penn state blowing the Gophers out to the Gophers blowing PSU out. it really could go either way and depends on who wants it more and plays harder than the other one
My guess Penn State 31 Minnesota 10, game basically over early.Well, you were way off.
How much should Minny jump in the polls and PSU drop?Turnovers count. OU lost the turnover battle to K-State 2-0, on the road, and those two turnovers were quickly converted into 14 points.
If Minny is THAT good, PSU went on the road and played them very tough, score hinged on TOs. So, the loss isn't "that bad" (better than UGA's loss at home).
I see Baylor pulled it out.
How much should Minny jump in the polls and PSU drop?I think Minnesota moves up to 11/12, and PSU drops to 9/10. I could see PSU still being ahead of Minnesota.
If Minny is THAT good, PSU went on the road and played them very tough, score hinged on TOs. So, the loss isn't "that bad" (better than UGA's loss at home).
I see Baylor pulled it out.
I think Minnesota moves up to 11/12, and PSU drops to 9/10. I could see PSU still being ahead of Minnesota.
I guess the opposite.IMO, Minnesota has done more than Baylor has, so I'd flip your #9 and #10 teams.
Minny - 10
PSU - 11
1 - 8 feels set:
0 loss - LSU, OSU, Clemson,
1 loss - Bama, Georgia, Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma
does 2 loss Florida, Auburn stay ahead of Baylor?
and 2 loss Wisconsin, TTUN, ND, KSU stay ahead of Minny?
Baylor at 9? Minny at 10? PSU at 11? Then the gaggle of 2 loss teams?
Iowa will be Minnesota's first tough road test. Tough place to get the first test, although they were "tested" on the road at Fresno in week 2.Did you find something you liked in PG?
Didn't get to see this game as I was in the air from Florida to here. Saw the last 20 minutes of the Badgers and then the end of Illinois.
When did the Gophers last get off to a 9-0 start?
1904.Thought that was 3 years off or sumsuch.Hope you're not in line for the big blows where ever you buy
As for the trip to Florida, we are in negotiations for a house.