Gopher Football 2014

[Mr.Seaguar]

They hired Bill Callahan once, they will hire anyone. Sad outcome to the bowl game.

[Big Dave2]

Did Nebraska even consider Kill?

No. Only Gopher fans fantasized about Kill being considered for the Nebraska job.

[Zep-man]

Kill was out-coached badly in this game.

Amateur hour....

His style if coaching may get you in a nice bowl game but it won't allow you to win a BIG game.

I love the way the program is moving but was really disappointed in the way they played such a conservative game. Nothing to lose...go for it at every chance you get.

[JBMasterAngler]

Max Williams' TD in the citrus bowl was ranked as the 2nd best play in the bowl season on sportscenter tonight.

[Canon Guy]

Max Williams' TD in the citrus bowl was ranked as the 2nd best play in the bowl season on sportscenter tonight.

I would think the QB and RB for Ohio St had to be ranked higher, unless last nights game was not included in the rankings.

[Duffman]

Goph's lost to the National Champs by 7 this year, sure a heck of a lot better than the 50-60 point drubbings we are used to from years ago.

[LMITOUT]

And in this installment of 'Minnesota's pathetic plea for recognition'...

Max Williams' TD in the citrus bowl was ranked as the 2nd best play in the bowl season on sportscenter tonight.

[JBMasterAngler]

1 play from the national title game was in the top 10 for sure...may have been 2 plays. The hail marry, triple lateral from Central Michigan in the bahamas bowl was #1.

[Big Dave2]

Goph's lost to the National Champs by 7 this year, sure a heck of a lot better than the 50-60 point drubbings we are used to from years ago.

All true but if you don't think the weather conditions had something to do with keeping the score of that game close, well....I'm sure LMIT still has that bridge..........

If the gophers were still playing in the Metrodome I have a feeling it would have been one of those drubbings you so fondly remember.

[swampman]

I said basically the same thing after the gophers loss to Wisconsin.

The thought of playing OSU on a indoor fast field wasn't something that gave me the warm fuzzies.

The Gophers made some improvements this year even though their record was the same, we will have to see what the ceiling is under the Kill era I just cant envision ever competing year in and out with the big boys in the conference.

Hope I am wrong

[Nick Kuhn]

I said basically the same thing after the gophers loss to Wisconsin.

The thought of playing OSU on a indoor fast field wasn't something that gave me the warm fuzzies.

The Gophers made some improvements this year even though their record was the same, we will have to see what the ceiling is under the Kill era I just cant envision ever competing year in and out with the big boys in the conference.

Hope I am wrong

The field surface at TCF Bank is now heated and the same exact material that's in the Metrodome as well as most other Big Ten fields. It was cold that day, but really didn't have any effect on the gameplay.

[swampman]

Nick. I know what kind of surface is on the field, but to think the weather that day wasn't a bit of a equalizer is a stretch for me. The Gophers played good that day and made the most of OSU's mistakes.

I just think the Gophers caught OSU in a good situation that day, if they go to Ohio State this year and hang anywhere near that close I guess I am wrong.

I Just don't think anyone should buy into the illusion that just because we only lost by a touchdown that day that we are better or as good as any of the teams OSU has beat by a larger margin recently.

[Big Dave2]

It was cold that day, but really didn't have any effect on the gameplay.

D'ok, you keep telling yourself that.

[Nick Kuhn]

D'ok, you keep telling yourself that.

At kickoff it was 16 degrees, warming up to 21 degrees by the end of the game. The wind was 5 MPH for the whole game, and basically a complete non-factor. If I have no trouble playing a leisurely double-header of softball at 28 degrees and no wind, I think those boys can handle a much more active sport like football in slightly colder weather.

[TR21HP]

Unless you're playing in extreme cold, play isn't affected and is the same situation for both teams. Talk to most players and wind is more of a problem than cold. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are affected by wind and that can affect a game a lot more than cold can. To say one team, especially both cold weather teams, has any benefit is ridiculous.

[Zep-man]

^^^ This ^^^

[JBMasterAngler]

What do you guys think of the incoming gopher recruits? Definitely no super stars, but overall, I think we got some really good players. ESPN had us ranked 13th out of the 14 big ten teams. But I question the validity of this ranking, since they had Michigan ranked last. Lot's of players coming in from Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia...very encouraging.

[TR21HP]

ESPN is garbage and star ranking is extremely over rated. The whole process is a crapshoot and you honestly don't know what you've got 2 or 3 years down the road, reference Clowney. I think the Gophers got some players with size and speed and it will be up to Kill and staff to mold them into something. I definitely like the direction Kill is going and the staff he has kept over the years. I think last years red shirt freshmen are going to be the story and if the Leidner improves his passing efficiency they could have as good a year as last.

[Zep-man]

Great size and number of kids brought in on the OL. Lots of length also brought in with the CB's and WR's. To me, it looks like we're finally starting to bring in a whole different "class" of recruits.

I think the Gophers now have 6 WR's on the roster that are at least 6'5". With Liedner throwing them the ball, they'll need every inch they can get.

It'll be 2-3 years before you know about any class but I sure liked the group they brought in both this and last year.

[Big Dave2]

Always selling hope and some buy it up faster than the Gophers can sell it. This recruiting class is ranked 11th in the big 10 and something like 65th in the nation. Oh boy.

[TR21HP]

Ranked by whom? The whole star rating system is garbage and serves very little basis on what kind of a player you're getting. These are 19 year old kids and there are no guarantees if some of these 4 and 5 star recruits listed will ever do anything productive with their careers. Way too many variables to consider. Clowney was an overwhelming 5 star recruit in high school, turned out to be an average college player and a no show at the pro level. JJ Watt was a 2 star player out of high school and I think his career speaks for itself. Don't believe the drivel you read or hear about these players from the media. Instead, see how they play out in 2 or 3 years when they have a chance to experience college ball and balance academics as well.

[Big Dave2]

Ranked by whom? The whole star rating system is garbage and serves very little basis on what kind of a player you're getting. These are 19 year old kids and there are no guarantees if some of these 4 and 5 star recruits listed will ever do anything productive with their careers. Way too many variables to consider. Clowney was an overwhelming 5 star recruit in high school, turned out to be an average college player and a no show at the pro level. JJ Watt was a 2 star player out of high school and I think his career speaks for itself. Don't believe the drivel you read or hear about these players from the media. Instead, see how they play out in 2 or 3 years when they have a chance to experience college ball and balance academics as well.

You're joking, right? If you think Jadeveon Clowney was an "average" college player you either don't know much about football or you're just another Minnesotan who has never really watched an SEC game. As far as his NFL career goes, we don't know yet because he was injured most of the year.

If the Gophers had landed a bunch of 5 star recruits you and all the other members of Gopher Nation would be bragging about the great recruits you got but since the gophers are lucky to bag a few 2 star recruits, the ranking means nothing. LOL!

[swampman]

Still hurting from the college playoffs Dave? you seem kind of crabby. I didn't see a whole bunch of pie in the sky responses from anyone here about this years recruiting class. They got some kids that look intriguing, time will tell.

The chances of getting a 5 star kid here are about zero unless by chance this state produces one some day and he decides to stay. 20-30 5 star kids a year get split amongst the top 5 or 10 perennial powerhouses, always been that way and imagine it always will.

You conveniently picked the lowest rankings you could find but being a SEC homie you probably didnt look past espn. Most rankings I saw had them 10 to 15 spots higher not that it matters that much, get past the top 20 or so and I don't know that its that big of deal.

lucky to get some 2 star players? cmon thats talk and you know it, expected better out of you thats more Limitouts turf or something RRR would have slung if he were still here with the rest of the trolls

[Big Dave2]

Me crabby? Why would I be? While the Gophers and Utah Utes are fighting over the 2 and 3 star recruits from South Dakota, my favorite team is looking forward to this:

http://yellowhammernews.com/sports/alabama-wins-fifth-consecutive-recruiting-national-title/

[JBMasterAngler]

Ironically, both the gophers and the utes beat Alabama in their last meeting.