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But wait, there was an astute poster here who said we wouldn't be a favorite...
We're -9 1/2 in Sagarin, so that seems to be in the ballpark. Thinking we win this one by even more than that; Minny has been fairly terrible on the road (one win, vs a terribad Oregon State team), has yet to beat anyone with a Sagarin ranking of higher than 72 (we are 26), and a reeling Nebby team at home is their only top-100 Sagarin win (compare to us, who have 5 such wins).
Also, they match up terribly against us. Does anyone see them running for 300 yards against us? That is probably what they will need to do to win since their passing attack is completely inept...
Really the only thing I have in their favor is that they have a decent defense, and this is essentially a bowl elimination game for them (they have no chance to beat Wisky).
We're -9 1/2 in Sagarin, so that seems to be in the ballpark. Thinking we win this one by even more than that; Minny has been fairly terrible on the road (one win, vs a terribad Oregon State team), has yet to beat anyone with a Sagarin ranking of higher than 72 (we are 26), and a reeling Nebby team at home is their only top-100 Sagarin win (compare to us, who have 5 such wins).
Also, they match up terribly against us. Does anyone see them running for 300 yards against us? That is probably what they will need to do to win since their passing attack is completely inept...
Really the only thing I have in their favor is that they have a decent defense, and this is essentially a bowl elimination game for them (they have no chance to beat Wisky).
Can someone give a quick breakdown of how Minnesota absolutely clobbered Nebraska, and why it shouldn't be a tad worrisome?
Before I saw that score, a -7 vs a -6 for Purdue would make a lot of sense.
Didn’t it take you guys overtime to drop the huskers? Granted I think they have quit on Riley at this point, they seemed disinterested against us yesterday. I think this will be a closer game than most on this board assume.
And here is some video evidence for you. Watch Nebby's D on a running down against a QB who is incapable of passing the ball--
Actually, most on this board are apparently assuming a close game, except for me. Here is why:
Your QB cannot pass the ball. Thus, to beat us, you will likely need to run for 300+ yards, as I believe you have in your wins since Croft took over. No team in the BIG has rushed for more than 112 yards vs us, INCLUDING Wisconsin. See the problem you have?
Precisely. Now, if they rush for 400 vs. us, I will be happy to eat my words, but if Wisky could not rush for 120, I have a hard time seeing that this will occur. Did I mention their QB cannot throw?
Last 2 games are good match ups for us. We match up well against teams that need to run the ball...front 7 playing great. Minnesota vs. Nebraska score is meaningless in predicting this game. I see multiple score wins to close out the season.
Agreed, looks like a task in paper for MN. This game always seems to be close though, and I’d expect a similar game. The jury is still out on whether Croft can pass, however - see MSU game. Our receivers haven’t helped him with some bad drops lately. Looking forward to being there either way!
I agree that it could be a close game, but likely only if we simply don't score enough t win, which is possible against your defense.
As for Croft, his numbers don't look like the jury is still out--and I watched most of these games, so the stats are NOT misleading. He has only had more than 10 completions in ONE game; vs. MSU, a team that did not have the benefit of seeing him take meaningful snaps on tape. He had 47 yards passing (47!) against a lolIllini defense that ranked 13th in Pass Efficiency D in the BIG, and was an incredible 9-29 vs. Iowa. Feel free to let me know what I am missing:...
Now I KNOW you've read the 5 other threads where we have stated that Hartage does not sit out the next game, and thus will be playing. He is not going to get a lot of work vs. Minny at any rate....
#7 in the country behind Wisconsin, TCU, Alabama, Washington, Georgia and Troy (!?!?!?). And ahead of Michigan and Michigan State and Clemson.
Didn't you guys lose to Purdue, Maryland, Michigan State & Iowa?? Isn't your only other Big 10 win Illinois? Isn't the won/loss records of the 5 teams you have beaten a combined 16-34?? No, I don't stay up at night worrying about this game.
Then why did it take us till OT to beat them? In the MN, NEB game, however, I agree, they were pretty ******