We'll find out a lot more about where the Gophers stand on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing. MSU probably didn't like what they found out on Saturday night in Seattle.That sucks about Autman-Bell. One of the WRs in the league.
Unfortunately, the Gophers will be without WR1 Chris Autman-Bell. He is out for the season with a non-contact injury suffered while running a route in the 2nd quarter against Colorado.
That sucks about Autman-Bell. One of the WRs in the league.Agreed. Huge loss.
Why couldn't/didn't Michigan State run the ball on Washington? I watched the first half and didn't notice a problem with Sparty's running game. But they only got 42 yards rushing so there was one.They couldn't block anyone. The center of their line was getting pushed into the backfield consistently. Then they were behind 3 scores, so they sort of stopped trying.
is this a must win game for the Spartans? their next 3 are @Maryland, Ohio State, and Wisconsin before going @Michigan.#1 - Yes. Both teams are missing their WR1, but MSU is particularly vulnerable against the pass, and it's Tanner Morgan without his WR1, at home. You have to win that game.
Then they have their rivalry game vs Michigan- which throw out the pass D stats and records- that one will be a dogfight bc for whatever reason they always get up for that one like it's their super bowl and personally I fkn hate it lol.
| Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-0) at Michigan State Spartans (2-1) |
| 3:30 - East Lansing, MI - BTN |
| Both programs faced their first Power 5 opponent last week, both playing Pac 12 opponents, but with vastly different results. Michigan State continued their west coast struggles that are at 70+ years and counting, while Minnesota continued Colorado's fall the the pits of the FBS, let alone the Power 5. What Michigan State fans were most disappointed in was that in Year 3, Scottie Hazelton was still running his umbrella defense, keeping everything in front of them, but bringing very little pressure. Perhaps having it work last year, because eventually, if you forced D'Eriq King to have to complete enough passes, eventually he'd make a mistake; and Michigan couldn't finish drives in the end zone, tricked him into thinking this works. Against the better quarterbacks, it doesn't. C.J. Stroud and Aidan O'Connell particularly diced the Spartans up, and Michael Penix did the same. Michigan State playing without 3 defensive starters, being the leader at each level (DT Jacob Slade, LB Darius Snow, and S Xavier Henderson) certainly led to all kinds of communication issues. Snow is done for the year, but it's unclear whether Slade and/or Henderson will return. Safe to say those injuries played a bigger factor than Jayden Reed, the bigger name, who also didn't play. Keon Coleman and Tre Mosley more than picked up the slack there. Now Minnesota has to deal with an injury to their WR1 as well, with Chris Autman-Bell done for the year. It remains to be seen whether they have the pieces behind him that Michigan State has behind Reed. Autman-Bell went down in the 2nd quarter against Colorado, and still led the Gophers in receptions and receiving yards for the game. Next up at receiver is Michael Brown-Stephens, with 6 receptions on the year. They just gave Mo Ibrahim and Trey Potts 36 carries, and would certainly like to do that again. Over the past two seasons, the way to beat the Spartans has been to spread them out, and fire the ball all over the place. Not sure that's Minnesota at full health, and I feel less confident in it without Autman-Bell. I'll go with the home team. |
| MICHIGAN STATE 34, MINNESOTA 30 |
Unfortunately, the Gophers will be without WR1 Chris Autman-Bell. He is out for the season with a non-contact injury suffered while running a route in the 2nd quarter against Colorado.Hate that he had a decent season in'21 and stretched the field for the Gophs
Minnesota is improved this year but comparing the two team's Saturday PAC12 results is comparing apples with rotten bananas.Ya but they've been destroying the Bums,losing Bell obviously hurts.This could be an entertaing contast,don't get BTN anymore so maybe a trip to the corner
Ya but they've been destroying the Bums,losing Bell obviously hurts.This could be an entertaing contast,don't get BTN anymore so maybe a trip to the cornerThat's the difference between this Gopher club and previous ones. While there are still a lot of questions about how good they are, they are taking bad teams to the woodshed, instead of spitting up terrible losses or letting them hang around way too long.
Hate that he had a decent season in'21 and stretched the field for the Gophsdid you mean to put a period behind "that" and capitalize "he"?
I saw something yesterday that the Minnesota strength of schedule is the worst in the Big Ten so far. Don't be fooled by the game against Colorado.I would not be fooled by any non conference games. but I would rather win these games and get into our 2nd and 3rd teams than a close win or even a lost (ask Iowa fans)
#2 - How has Michigan's Super Bowl gone for them? It takes more than just "getting up" for a gamefair enough. I think Michigan had played Ohio State scared for awhile though. Look at how Michigan played Ohio St vs some of the other teams in this league have played Ohio St. Other league teams with less talent than Michigan were often far more competitive vs Ohio St. No doubt in my mind that Ohio State was in Michigan's heads....a lot. Maybe it was the weight of having that monkey on their back so long- not being able to get over the hump. And yes, Ohio State had more talent and better teams basically every single time- but for the most part- to me Michigan just rolled over and played dead for a lot of those games. Like they expected to get their asses beat in. Last year was the first time in a long time I saw Michigan physically bring it to Ohio St for 4 QTRs and punch them in the face for 60 minutes.
did not see that type of performanceClass of the West as it stands now. I have to give PJ Barnum credit, because it's most certainly due.
if the gophers stay healthy and focused, this might be a very good year for them
did not see that type of performanceMaybe we should have. Walker to the NFL and Reed has been hurt all year- don’t have those two elite studs to bail out the team by making huge plays and scoring points- which puts immense pressure on QB Thorne to make plays- who quite honestly is just another guy- and their OL and pass defense had serious issues last year- and not sure how it’s possible- but both have been worse this year.
if the gophers stay healthy and focused, this might be a very good year for them
did you mean to put a period behind "that" and capitalize "he"?Thank You FF - you get a Yuengling,actually had no beer last nite so prolly could have used those goggles :-[
In conclusion: Michigan State might just suck this year.They have had a few sparse seasons here/there, but there is one game they circle. I did question their AD backing up the Brink's truck for Mel or anyone else unproven at that point. Should have given someone a transitional role
A couple of film breakdown Twitter account actually make me feel worst about our back 7. Pointing out how many time front 4 made great plays, where there was no help in the back sevenInjuries sure haven't helped hopefully none are season ending
Injuries sure haven't helped hopefully none are season endingBy the second quarter, we were down seven defensive starters, but only one was a DB, and while he is the defensive captain, he's a safety, those were our top 3 CBs/NB. MSU is still glaringly thin, and I think our good injury luck last year masked a lot of that.
Michigan State’s problems aside, Minnesota’s total beat down of the Spartans is the type of dominant win that deserves a reassessment of Minnesota’s pecking order in the West division.I mean MSU sucks, but within the West? If anyone has Minnesota behind any West Division team right now they should have their vote revoked
I mean MSU sucks, but within the West? If anyone has Minnesota behind any West Division team right now they should have their vote revokedTrying not to brag, but the Gophers are the only team in the West that hasn't looked like garbage yet.
Trying not to brag, but the Gophers are the only team in the West that hasn't looked like garbage yet.Yeah, I was just responding to whether there is a question to whether Minnesota is the best team in the West
that doesn't sound like braggingyep. the west is atrocious. It has to be Minnesota. Only other team that could possibly even be in the conversation is maybe Iowa- as they have a terrific defense- but they also happen to have maybe the worst offense in America. Minnesota is by far the best in the West.
just calling garbage, garbage
yep. the west is atrocious. It has to be Minnesota. Only other team that could possibly even be in the conversation is maybe Iowa- as they have a terrific defense- but they also happen to have maybe the worst offense in America. Minnesota is by far the best in the West.That is why I am very glad the Floyd game is in Minneapolis this year.
Wisconsin isn't as bad as they showed the past few weeksYeah, I just don't know about Wisconsin. They seem to be having OL issues and aren't the factory they once were there. I'm not as high on or as sold on RB Braelon Allen as everyone else. Like I think he's a really good college RB, but he's not special imo. He's a good notch below Corum, Singleton at PSU- who btw is an emerging STUD, Ibrahim at Minny, or the OSU RB duo imo. And I still think the QB Mertz sucks and will pretty much always suck. And their defense is not what it once was. Add it all up and maybe they just aren't that good?
well, maybe they are, but they will get better as the season goes on
I don't see Iowa's offense getting better