The Gophers are two games away from being bowl eligible. I was pretty optimistic at the beginning of the season that we would make one of the seven spots offered to the Big Ten. Maybe it was the high I got from watching the Gophers play in our new stadium. Maybe it was the potential we all saw in Adam Weber and super hero Eric Decker. Maybe it was pure school spirit. Whatever it was, it started to dwindle today when I started thinking about bowl season and where the Gophers stood. Two games doesn’t seem like a lot, I get that. But the rest of our schedule doesn’t leave much room for mistakes.
Our next two games—both on the road at Penn State and Ohio State—are going to define our season. With both teams 5-1 at the midway point, I’m not going to hold my breath or pray for a miracle. I get it, I should be more optimistic but it’s Penn State and Ohio State! We have only played Penn State ten times—the last an overtime win for the Nittany Lions in 2006. And we did beat the Buckeyes in 2000. But they are consistently pretty damn good at football and seem to be considered two of the top teams in the Big Ten. Penn State did surf smoothly through their first half of the season with wins against Akron, Temple, and Eastern Illinois--and even Coach Joe has addressed the fact that this is their first chance to really define themselves as a football team. So maybe there is hope?!
Thankfully, there’s a chance we could pick up a win against Michigan State on Halloween—the Spartans are also 2-1 in the Big Ten, probably still reeling from Central Michigan’s major upset on Sept. 12th. It really could be anyone’s game. So hypothetically speaking, if the Gophers can pull off a win against Michigan State, we’d have a record of 5-4 with three games left to play. Illinois, South Dakota State and the dreaded Iowa.
Who hates Iowa? This girl. Especially after the blow-out at the Dome last year (I promise that is the only time I will mention that). One thing I’m confident about is the Gophers chances against Illinois. (I’m not even going to address SDSU because if we don’t beat them, I think TCF Bank Stadium will be torn apart.) And let’s be honest—if the Gophers score against the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, we will all be happy. Therefore, I’m thinking—okay, I’m predicting—the Gophers end the season either 7-5 or 6-6, depending on what happens when Michigan State comes to town.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see the Gophers take as many wins as they can. I’m just being practical. After going just 1-11 in 2007, I’ve become very frugal with my optimism when it comes to Minnesota football. So on Saturday—when the Gophs take on #14 Penn State—think of me watching the game with my hands half covering my eyes. And if the guys decide to surprise us all, I will have no problem eating my words.
First Gopher Game at the TCF Bank Stadium
Minnesota vs. Air Force
September 12th, 2009
20-13 W
They'll beat South Dakota and either Illinois or MSU, so they'll be bowl bound.
ReplyDeleteThe reality is, Ohio State and Penn State aren't THAT good. The only problem is: the Gophers are worse.
Saddest moment of the season will be watching Iowa roll over Minnesota to lift the hawkeyes to the Rose Bowl..or worse.
I hate Iowa.