Well the spread opened at MN by 6.5, went to 8 and has settled in at 7.5. Wow....over a TD dog to the Gophers. Pretty sad point in our fandom of this program. But as they say, point spreads are just point spreads.
MN is 5-0. Struggled out of the gates vs a typically solid So Dak St team....but did win. Ironically the Jackrabbits play Bo’s boys on Saturday. Their win at Fresno St probably is the highlight. MN did beat GA Southern who beat S. Bama, who we beat if you’re looking for that many degrees of separation. If not, our one common opponent is IL who they throttled at home and we struggled with on the road. The Gopher combined opponent record is 10-13 (43%).
NU is 4-2. Two bad losses (one destruction) and 3 yawner wins. Combined opponent record of 14-19 highlighted by a 6-0 tOSU team. Great team, however if you remove them from the equation NU’s opponent win percentage falls from 43% to 29%. In other words...there is one “quality-ish” win among both teams. And that could be argued.
Now injuries have crept into the situation for NU at key spots of QB and WR. They did travel so we shall see. Is Vedral ready? Could he play better than Martinez? Did I mention the consistent high snap problem? Strange play-calling at times? Poor kick return and the ability to kick FGs or perhaps extra points? Sheesh Lol
The weather is predicted to be poor. An all day rain/snow mix with temps in the 30s. The wind doesn’t appear to be gale-force like MSU last year, but will a factor at 15-25mph.
Once again, will Frost adjust his play-calling for the personnel and conditions? This game is winnable. And a win would solidify two wonderful weeks (with the bye) of feeling like a “west contender” at 5-2 (2-1). Then the Indy schools home and away next? Boy, the kool-aid would be flowing pretty heavily. Especially with ANOTHER BYE before Wisky!
I’ll channel my inner Sip and say “be careful here”. Nothing feels like a given anymore even with teams we USED to think were poor. Let’s hope for the best yet be prepared for the worst. Close game. Unfortunately now a common theme for about 20 years with average to below teams.
NU 20
MN 24
Replies
Huh,
I see Vrderal coming out and playing solid. Minnesota hasn't faced a team with the caliber of players the Huskers have on Defense.
Huskers 27
Big Rats 14
Go Big Red!
I had this one penciled in as a W pre season but too much going against us so I found my eraser
Huskers 21
Gophers 28
Home field advantage goes to the ground dweller yellow vermin. Therefore the point spread. Weather is an advantage to NU because we don't have a passing game nor a field goal unit worth a dang. Probably a ground game will decide the outcome.
So things look like a tossup. The old Quija board and the trusty Magic 8 Ball are refusing to cooperate. So it comes down to paper/rock/scissors to make this prediction.
Above ground Corn - 28
Below ground Vermin - 21
B1G Red 17
Goofers 14
A little more hope then conviction of this outcome... Mills comes up big, D comes out aggressive (D backs charging the line), Stop the tandem of Smith/Brooks stops the weasels. If not then long 2 weeks.
NU-23
Frost bit fingers Minnies-21
Weather will be a factor, comes down to who has the least amount of turn overs and who can establish a run game. I think we see the I and flex I formations this week, short passes to play makers in the 4th quarter have NU coming from behind to give Minnie their first loss and keep them from gaining bowl eligibility this week.
NU 28
MN 24