Gopher-Fighting Illini local take BLOWOUT

[prodigy]

hansen:
one thing ive learned over the years is that sometimes in our attempt to be overly objective, we often tend to overrated/underrate teams to which we are emotionally invested. the 'we' says that you certainly care about the program or the sports teams up there on a personal level. im a big believer that the glass is never as full as some pom-pom waving homers would lead you to believe for a given team .... but its rarely as empty as some of the anti-homers would lead you to believe either. minnesota has work to do .. but they arent in completely dire straits. the big ten isnt lapping them or that far ahead that they are taking the field each saturday without a shot to win. their margin for error is obviously less than it is for a team like ohio state, penn state, or even a michigan state. but illinois has issues of their own as they attempt to bring stability back to their program. btw- none of the above has anything to do with the play you like this weekend. theres no doubt illinois is 'capable' of covering the number and since i wont have any dog in this race i would love to see you and anyone who follows bring home a nice winner. but the gophers are hardly as ugly as some minnesotans make them out to be. jmo.

 

[hansenbros.]

prodigy

Thanks for the well written response -- please understand I meant no ill will with my comments in reference to yours.

You speak with a lot of forethought, and knowledge and I appreciate that. However, I truly beg to differ -- Minny truly IS that bad, and the only way the Gophs cover on Saturday is if Illinois is not what I thought they are, not the other way around.

The Gophs have improved, but at 1-11 there really isn't anyway to go, but up is there??? I must admit, they have improved, beyond what I had anticipated, but they still are short of the middle of the Big Ten, let alone the top.

Thanks again,


GL

 

[6figure]

Thanks hansen!

 

[silver7]

Pessimism You Say, Try Watching Childress Coach

As for my GG, whom I've watched for over 60 yrs (1946), they have improved a lot over LY. The big dif. is on D, much more speed. HB is right the big hole for them is missing Sherels. His replacement Collado is just one breath away from a quick 6 the other way each time he takes the field. Also, right now I'd take Eric Decker over any WR in the B10. Does he have the blinding speed of Maclin, Harvin or Crabtree? No! But he has great hands, strength, smart, courageous, in other words everything a great slot needs. I can see him in the same role as Welker for NE. He will make it on Sun.! Right now he's better than any WR the Vikes have, including Berrian. Having said all that I played the Illini @ -11, for a small $$ wager. Not a top play by any means, I CAN see Weber & Decker getting the BD cover. This is one case where a small $$ loss wouldn't make me cry.

 

[ChiTownHustler]

Always nice to get your 2 cents on a Minny game HB.
Will take another look at adding this one.

GL

 

[BlackRaspChip]

Illinois beats probably the worst Michigan team in 50 years, and now they're the best team in the Big Ten? Did I miss something?

 

[tendog]

Rasp, what you missed is that Hansen has posted thousands of posts here for years and many more selections have been winners than losers. In addition he knows Minn sports very well. I have learned that when one of our good posters goes against their team, to take note. The winning % in such a situation is quite good. Does that mean Illinois will cover? No, but it means I like their chances.

 

[prodigy]

Thanks for the well written response -- please understand I meant no ill will with my comments in reference to yours.

You speak with a lot of forethought, and knowledge and I appreciate that. However, I truly beg to differ -- Minny truly IS that bad, and the only way the Gophs cover on Saturday is if Illinois is not what I thought they are, not the other way around.

The Gophs have improved, but at 1-11 there really isn't anyway to go, but up is there??? I must admit, they have improved, beyond what I had anticipated, but they still are short of the middle of the Big Ten, let alone the top.

Thanks again,


GL

appreciate the response and respect what youve got to say. win or lose, your perspective on the gophers is a welcome contribution to a forum that too often gets inundated with nonsense about reverse, anti-public, somersault posts. gl hansen.

 

[msneezie31]

I posted this in another thread I believe, but please remember Tim Brewster, the head coach of Minny, went to school at Illinois. He wanted the head coaching job when it became available and Zook got it. Either way, Minny's banged up defense = Illinois defense on a regular day. Illinois allowed 20 pts to a piss poor Michigan team, 21 pts to a FCS team in EIU. I'm not going to mention Missouri or Penn State as they are national title contenders. Either way, I think Illinois is just too unpredictable to bet on this year.

 

[hansenbros.]

6 figure

Thanks bud -- I really can't see it any other way. Please REALIZE NFL is where I invest, but knowing the Gophers like I do I'm investing here this Saturday.

 

[hansenbros.]

7

you're right old friend%^_ Decker is definitely like a Welker or a Harrison -- very crip route runner.

The team that does well against this Illini team is a very disciplined team, not what I see out of this young Gopher team -- there is some talent there, but chance taking young talent.


gl

 

[hansenbros.]

Hustler

Thanks old friend -- what are your thoughts...


GL

 

[hansenbros.]

chip

one game does not make a team, just like losing to Penn St does not take away from them. It's much deeper sir, and perhaps you are right "you are missing something..."


GL

 

[hansenbros.]

dog

Thank you my friend!!

Please also recognize I AM A NFL CAPPER, and as we all know this is ncaa -- I don't cap the ncaa because I can't win -- God knows I've tried!!

But with that said, The match-ups here are VERY favorable for the Illini. Thus, I will be investing on Saturday!


GL

 

[roxymusic]

Best play in this one is the over, both Ds are garbage

 

[hansenbros.]

prodigy

Thanks for the well wishes -- but I'm an old fashioned capper -- NO trends, or any of that other BS. My grandfather taught me -- match-ups, and the art of exploiting weaknesses -- he was an old VERY good coach. Which also plays into the capping by the way.

Thanks again,


gl

 

[hansenbros.]

31

Appreciate your very valid points, and you might be right. I'm hoping you are wrong however

gl

 

[hansenbros.]

roxy

like that as well....


GL

 

[ThaDude]

Ilinois DOES have playmakers on defense. They really just haven't played that well as a unit yet this year.

They have been getting more solid play out of their linebackers and D line lately, however we still saw some absolute blown coverage in the first quarter of the Michigan game.

The Illinois defense's problem is that they are simply out of position to make plays half the time...they aren't utilizing their speed on defense as they should. I would much rather have this problem than just have guys who flat out can't cover and tackle.


Keep in mind they held Michigan to 6 points over the final 3 quarters last weekend and I expect them to repeat that sort of a performance in this game. After visiting Happy Valley AD Ron Guenther decided that the crowd at Memorial Stadium is getting rowdy enough when opposition has the ball.....they are encouraging fans this weekend to be as absolutely loud as possible when Minne has the ball and hopefully the defense can feed off the crowd.



Call me a homer or whatever you want.....but if the defense shows up for this game and even plays just a solid game of bend and don't break football and eliminates the big play....then Illinois covers this game easily. I'm not so sure that it doesn't get pretty ugly here.



ope:

 

[winbet]

Looks like there's going to be a few pleasant Jamesons This Evening. :lol:

Keep em coming HB. :drink: