I totally agree...I've seen this scenerio many times before. And it doesn't look good for Minny. For one thing, they were very fortunate to win the games they did last season. They created turnovers at very inopportune times for their opponents. This is how they pulled off a couple of their wins. They ended with a (+9) TO margin for the season. That's a dream season for a team like this. They WON'T improve on that number this year. They aren't good enough. They got a quick jump on the season by going 4-0 against 4 non BCS cupcakes. They then only needed to win 2 more games to become bowl eligible. They won 3 more. But they didn't beat one team in the Big 10 with a winning record, and got outscored 17-26 in conference! Still lIke em? I don't see much of an improvement from a team like this. And if they do, you may not be able to tell it. They don't get any sure conference wins on their schedule except probably Purdue. They don't play Indiana this season. So there goes one sure win. They open the season against Cal , Air Force and at Syracuse. A much much tougher ooc schedule than last year. So no momentum to build their season on. And as far as intangibles go, they won't play in the dome anymore. I actually think it hurts this team to lose a roof. I've always thought dome teams had a slight fan advantage when things started to go south for opposing teams. Plus many teams don't play all that well in domes. So I think it takes a little advantage away. Plus I've never heard of a team losing their dome when they play in a cold weather city. I don't know what the circumstances were behind it. But does anybody else find this an odd move?
GoSooners - Minny never drew very well in the dome, except for the Iowa and Wisconsin games. The new stadium will be on campus. The students had to take buses to the dome. They were third fiddle there. Remember when they had to move some games to 11:00 AM local time so the Twins could host playoff games?
I guess my point is the Gophers will be better than last year. With their schedule this year they won't have as many wins and will srtuggle to find a bowl game but they should be able to cover some games and may find a way to upset a good team.
I still haven't had much time to review Purdue but they could be in for a long season off the top of my head.
I totally agree with you about Minnesota. I don't think they are going to be a world beater but they could be better than last year and still not beat LY's record. There is more partity in the Big 10 this year then there has been in a while. I plan on riding them the first two weeks of the season and then putting them on hold for a while. Very intrested to see what Gray actually brings to the table. They could make another bowl and are defintely a competitive team. Going on the road to NW, Penn St,
Ohio St and Iowa will be hard to deal with though.
Just did some reading on Purdue and I really didn't find out very much that I didn't already know. They were absolutely crushed in terms of skill positions from graduation. 85% of their offensive production is gone and there isn't exactly much to reload with. They will rely on freshmen and 1st year starters at RB, QB, and WR.
On a positive side they bring back a ton of experience on the O-Line. On defense they have a solid secondary coming back and a few promissing looking LB's. The D-line gets some players back as well but they were horrible against the run last year so they really need to improve if the Boilers are going to reach .500.
It should be rough going early with all the new skill positions but if things fall in place the Boilers have enough to salvage a successful rebuilding year. If they have a very productive summer developing the skill positions, they may find a way to stay in some games and win the ones they are supposed to which has been a staple in West Lafeyette.
On a positive side they bring back a ton of experience on the O-Line. On defense they have a solid secondary coming back and a few promissing looking LB's. The D-line gets some players back as well but they were horrible against the run last year so they really need to improve if the Boilers are going to reach .500.
It should be rough going early with all the new skill positions but if things fall in place the Boilers have enough to salvage a successful rebuilding year. If they have a very productive summer developing the skill positions, they may find a way to stay in some games and win the ones they are supposed to which has been a staple in West Lafeyette.
Ohio state will be better than what i have heard in this forum. They reload with the best. They have formidable running backs, and they will replace their linbackers without much problem. Look at laurinitas, he steped in from nowhere. Ther are others ready to step in as well. My only concern is if prior being to run happy. If they corrected his poor throwing mechanics, he will be as good as anyone in the big ten. usc will be a big test for sure, but in columbus if they win, they could run the table. Tough test at penn st.
Michigan only played 6 home games in 2000, 2001, and 2004. Also in the last 10 years they played at UCLA when they were ranked, had a home and home with washington when they were ranked, and had a home game and an away game with Oregon. Plus play Notre Dame every year. What do you want from them.
Since this is a Big 10 thread I will just post news and updates I get in here. In no way can I keep a thread going like the Big 12 or Pac 10 boys so I hope this works and helps you guys a little.
The biggest question about the Illini this year is on defense. Their defense took a big step back last year in terms of creating TO's, getting pressure, and stopping the run. We all know they lost their top corner back Vontea Davis to the 1st round of the draft but here are some more things to think about before putting Illinois high on that improved list:
"So today's treatise will concentrate on the defensive unit and its various question marks. The defensive line won't have last year's depth, the linebackers are inexperienced and the safeties are unsettled.
There was a time last spring where the UI's front four appeared dominant. Look at the changes. Big Floridian D'Angelo McCray transferred to Eastern Illinois. Highly touted Reggie Ellis, a Washington, D.C., all-star, has left and may enroll at New Mexico if coach Mike Locksley can arrange for a scholarship. Senior Sirod Williams was lost for the 2008 season and is gearing for a comeback in 2009. St. Louis end Jerry Brown, a standout pass rusher in the spring, is reportedly gone for academic reasons. Bloomington's Josh Brent was suspended for the first two games last season and his status is currently uncertain as he serves 60 days in jail. With Derek Walker, Will Davis and David Lindquist graduating, the once-imposing front four has gone from thick to thin.
"It doesn't look good for Jerry Brown," Zook said. "There's a pretty good chance he won't be here. He is the only one with serious academic problems. As for Josh Brent, I'll comment later. I hope he can come back, but I have to sit down with Coach (Ron) Guenther when his situation is more clarified."
http://www.illinihq.com/news/footbal..._zook_opens_up
There is still good talent on the D-line with Corey Liuget, Doug Pilcher, Josh Brent, Sirod Williams, and a few others but this group will be thin without a doubt. One or two injuries could really hurt the Illini so stay tuned. With Josh Brent out for the first 2 games and maybe longer, that could hurt vs. Mizzou. The rest of the D is very inexperienced. They have speed and talent but the worst cased scenario could make them even worse than last year on D which is scary.
The biggest question about the Illini this year is on defense. Their defense took a big step back last year in terms of creating TO's, getting pressure, and stopping the run. We all know they lost their top corner back Vontea Davis to the 1st round of the draft but here are some more things to think about before putting Illinois high on that improved list:
"So today's treatise will concentrate on the defensive unit and its various question marks. The defensive line won't have last year's depth, the linebackers are inexperienced and the safeties are unsettled.
There was a time last spring where the UI's front four appeared dominant. Look at the changes. Big Floridian D'Angelo McCray transferred to Eastern Illinois. Highly touted Reggie Ellis, a Washington, D.C., all-star, has left and may enroll at New Mexico if coach Mike Locksley can arrange for a scholarship. Senior Sirod Williams was lost for the 2008 season and is gearing for a comeback in 2009. St. Louis end Jerry Brown, a standout pass rusher in the spring, is reportedly gone for academic reasons. Bloomington's Josh Brent was suspended for the first two games last season and his status is currently uncertain as he serves 60 days in jail. With Derek Walker, Will Davis and David Lindquist graduating, the once-imposing front four has gone from thick to thin.
"It doesn't look good for Jerry Brown," Zook said. "There's a pretty good chance he won't be here. He is the only one with serious academic problems. As for Josh Brent, I'll comment later. I hope he can come back, but I have to sit down with Coach (Ron) Guenther when his situation is more clarified."
http://www.illinihq.com/news/footbal..._zook_opens_up
There is still good talent on the D-line with Corey Liuget, Doug Pilcher, Josh Brent, Sirod Williams, and a few others but this group will be thin without a doubt. One or two injuries could really hurt the Illini so stay tuned. With Josh Brent out for the first 2 games and maybe longer, that could hurt vs. Mizzou. The rest of the D is very inexperienced. They have speed and talent but the worst cased scenario could make them even worse than last year on D which is scary.
