Gophers Formula: 5 Ways to Beat the Huskers and a Prediction
By Nick Fritz
In order for the Gophers to continue their run at the Big-10 championship, they’ve got to win two games in which they’ll be far from favored. It starts this Saturday in Lincoln. The second best rushing offense in the Big-10 has led the Cornhuskers to an 8-2 record. Coming off of an embarrassing loss to Wisconsin, it’s safe to say we are going to get a fired up Huskers team on Saturday.
Here are 5 ways the Gophers can pull off the upset:
David Cobb
Nov 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back David Cobb (27) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
In case you haven’t figured it out yet, David Cobb is one of the ten best running backs in the entire country. This guys’ ability to bring it week-in and week-out has been fun to watch. Currently 8th in the nation in rushing yards, Cobb just went for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns against the #6 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Then, he got SNUBBED when he wasn’t named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nations best RB. The Gophers will need the best of David Cobb because this game will start and end on the ground.
Turnovers
Turnovers are the fastest way for an underdog to flip the script. We saw it against the Buckeyes, when the Gophers capitalized on 2 first half turnovers to tie the game up. In the second half, one could argue 3 Gophers turnovers cost them the game.
Minnesota has recovered 12 fumbles on the season to rank 8th nationally in that category. They’re also top-20 in interceptions. We saw Nebraska struggle to hold on to the ball last week, so keep a close eye on that. It’s going to be cold and turnovers will happen. The Gophers need to be the takers.
Stop the Run
Ameer Abdullah is just another NFL caliber Big-10 running back. We’re also going to see another QB that can run, Tommy Armstrong Jr.. OSU crushed the Gophers with the QB option and I am sure the Cornhuskers took notes.
One huge aspect of this game is how well Abdullah will bounce back from injury. On November 1st, he suffered a knee injury against Purdue. He returned on Saturday against Wisconsin and was held to 3.5 yards per carry, which is almost half his average for the season.
Both teams are going to have “stop the run” bolded in their game prep. Neither quarterback has lit up the Big-10 this year, to say the least, and both had rough starts on Saturday. These defensive fronts better eat their Wheaties and get ready for a bloodbath.
Establish a Passing Attack
When the Gophers roll, it’s because the opposing defense can’t defend the run-pass option. Mitch Leidner and Maxx Williams need to establish a connection throughout the whole game, weeding defenders out of the box and allowing David Cobb to keep making it rain.
Nov 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) passes the ball in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
“I think [Leidner’s] got that fighter’s mentality and a little bit of the ‘us against the world,’ ” Gophers Offensive Coordinator Matt Limegrover said. “And it’s going to be loud, and they’re going to be hostile, and that’s fine. Bring it on.”
Leidner, along with Cobb, is a co-leader of this offense. This is a big step in the maturation of a young quarterback. Jerry Kill wants nothing more than for his sophomore QB to play in pressure games this time of year. Down the road, this experience is going to be invaluable to ALL of these young Gophers. But for Mitch Leidner, this is an early-career defining game.
Get Going Early
Neither of these teams are built to come from behind. Like when they destroyed Iowa, the Gophers need to attack early and often. When this happens, defenses can stop worrying about the run so much and start shutting down big plays. That’s going to be the check-mate in this chess match. If either team can get ahead by 14 points, I like them to win the game.
Prediction:
I think these teams are VERY evenly matched and it really comes down to home field advantage. Because it’s in Lincoln, I’ve got to take the Cornhuskers by a final of 27-21. That said, I would never bet on this game.
Nov 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back David Cobb (27) rushes for a touchdown as Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) attempts to make a tackle in the first half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports