Reflections and Ponderances

• That folks is what it looks like to win ugly in the Big Ten. The Gophers shot 34% from the field but rallied from 13 down to beat Iowa 52-49. I am unable to type this myself so I had my brother write this sentence: Travis Busch was the player of the game. He contributed 10 points including some critical baskets down the edge. It goes to the theory that against nonathletic team Busch is a very solid player but he still brutal when we play teams with real division 1 players.
• That was not what everyone expected out of the National Championship game but the result was what I expected. Florida was able to slow the Oklahoma offense and they struggled to contain Percy Harvin. What the game came down to though was Oklahoma had the ball inside Florida's 10 twice and got 0 points. If they go into half up 21-7 it is an entirely different ball game.
• The Gopher hockey team returns to WCHA action this weekend with a rivalry series at North Dakota. We have the full lineup again as the WJC players return. It will be interesting to see how they play in a very hostile environment without the Don to help. North Dakota has been struggling this year due to a lack of scoring and inconsistent goalie. They have been known for prolific scorers from Parise to Toews to Oshie. Their leading scorers are Brad Miller and Chay Genoway. Not exactly fear-inducing. They are coming off sweeping Bemidji State but only by 4-3 both nights and Saturday's took overtime. The weekend before they lost to Michigan State and Michigan Tech. They always get up for the Gophers and are known for their hot second halves. I think the Gophers will tie Friday night and win on Saturday.
• The Gophers have announced what was seen coming with Kevin Cosgrove becoming the Defensive Coordinator, but with a twist. Ronnie Lee the Defensive Backs coach has been promoted to Co-Defensive Coordinator. This doesn't stir up the excitement in me but neither did the Ted Roof hiring. The problem was that Cosgrove failed in Nebraska and it has been attributed to his lack of defending the spread properly. That doesn't mean he hasn't in his time off figured out how to stop it but that is the future of College Football. I hope for a bigger impact from the Offensive Coordinator who should be announced in the next few days.
  

Stats of the Day

• 4-16: Blake Hoffarber's shooting in three Big Ten games. We will need him to turn it around if the Gophers are going to go places.
• 7: The number of assists by the Gophers team on Thursday night. The team average is 16.9.
• 7-4: The Gophers record at North Dakota since Ralph Englestad Arena opened in 2001. Have won 4 of the last 6 games.

Preview Extravaganza

#22 Minnesota Golden Gophers (13-1, 1-1) at Iowa Hawkeyes (11-4, 1-1)

This should be interesting as it is the Gophers first road game in the Big Ten this year. On paper it should be an easy win as Iowa appears to be in the bottom third of the Big Ten.
Here is Iowa's Resume:

Wins to showcase:

• Vs. Kansas St. (11-3) 65-63
• Vs. Iowa St. (11-4) 73-57

Loses to hide from:

• at Drake (12-4) 43-60
  
• vs. West Virginia (11-3) 68-87 (The size of defeat is the issue not the quality of teams)

Assets:

• 3-pt shooting: 1st in conference with 40.9%
• Free Throws: 2nd in conference with 74.3%
• Defense: 1st in conference with 55.9 ppg
  

Deficiencies:

• Rebounding: last in conference with 30.9. Second to last has 34.5
• Size: Cyrus Tate is tallest starter at 6-8, Andrew Brommer is tallest player at 6-9
• Scoring: 9th in conference with 64.7 ppg

The Gophers so far this season struggle with teams that are athletic and strong on the boards. This is the opposite of what Iowa is, they stand around the arc and lack any size. They would be the type of team they should handle. What the Gophers will need to do to win is similar to when they play Northwestern push the pace and make them play their tempo and guard the perimeter.

Interesting things to watch

• Minnesota connections: Anthony Tucker is the leading scorer with 11.8 ppg but has been suspended for public intoxication and has been reportedly been fighting mono. It is unknown how much he will play. Andrew Brommer (1.5 ppg 1.2 rebs) was recruited by Dan Monson but once Tubby came in he made it clear Brommer should look elsewhere. Instead we got RSIII and Colt 45. It should be a pleasant reminder of what the talent was before Tubby rolled into town
• How the newcomers respond to a Big Ten road game. It should be interesting how Joseph, Iverson and RSIII play in a hostile environment. It should be easier for the post players as they will not face anyone with similar size. It will be more important to see how Joseph handle running the point with the crowd on top of him.

Prediction

This is the type of game the Gophers need to win to clear a path to the NCAAs. They should be able to beat them with their athletisicm and size down low. If the crowd gets to the freshman, the Gophers should be able to rely on Nolen, Johnson and Westbrook. I think this gam might be close for awhile but the Gophers should pull it out.

Gophers 67, Hawkeyes 57

Check out the preview on the Daily Gopher, I will be on their during the game on their live thread.

Here is my thoughts on the College Football National Championship in Miami.
#2 Oklahoma Sooners (12-1) Vs. #1 Florida Gators (12-1)

On paper this should be a great game, but some previous bowl games give some indication on the outcome of this game. In the Alamo Bowl Missouri's offense struggled with Northwestern holding them to 311 total yards. In the Holiday Bowl a mediocre Oregon got 565 yards and beat Oklahoma State 42-31. In the Cotton Bowl Texas Tech gave up 515 yards to Ole Miss (the team that beat Florida) and lost 47-34. Then in the Fiesta Bowl Texas struggled and lucked into beating an Ohio State team that had absolutely no passing game 24-21. That means the average score of the other four top Big 12 teams have lost 33.25 - 29.75. That might not seem like much but they were prohibitive favorites in all of the games.

I think Oklahoma will have offensive success but they have not faced defensive speed like they will see in Florida. Florida has too much speed and athleticism. It will be a fast, exciting, high scoring game but I think Oklahoma will struggle to keep up with Florida. It is important to note one fact that seems to be overlooked in the last 4 BCS games Oklahoma has been in they have lost all 4 being outscored 167 - 103 with losses to West Virginia and Boise State. The last BCS win was a Rose Bowl win over Washington State in 2002.

Prediction: Florida Gators 48, Oklahoma Sooners 38

Major Changes Coming to Dinkytown

There are major changes coming to the Gophers football program in the upcoming month. Both Mike Dunbar, the offensive coordinator, and Ted Roof, the defensive coordinator, have left the program. The Dunbar move was not surprising. When Tim Davis was brought in from Alabama to install a power running game the writing was on the wall. He became the scapegoat for the offense lack of improvement and losing the last 5 games. The Roof move is surprising. He is leaving to be the defensive coordinator at Auburn. He was highly regarded for the drastic improvement in the defense after being fired as head coach at Duke. I didn't think he would be here long as I'm sure he wants another shot at head coach, but I definitely thought he would be here a few years.

This means Brewster will be on his third defensive coordinator in 3 years and second offensive coordinator. I do have some worries about this news. Will this affect the incoming recruits? Roof recruited a lot of players like recent commit Taikwon Paige, the offensive recruits came for a wide open spread offense like MarQueis Gray and Hayo Carpenter, if the new offense doesn't fit their ability they might leave. I would like to see the spread stay as that is the evolution of NCAA football. They do need to add a running game but once we get depth at the WR spot and Weber and Grey develop the offense should get going.

There are no indications of who Brewster will find to replace them. One thing I have liked about the Brewster is ability to find quality and exciting coordinators. I think it isn't out of the realm of possibilities that Davis will be promoted to coordinator. There will be a lot of changes and where the program heads from this month will have a huge impact on the future and legacy of one Tim Brewster.

Stats of the Day

• 79th: Minnesota's rank in total defense up from 119th the previous year
• 91st: Minnesota's rank in total offense down from 48th the previous year
• 72: rushing yards for Texas in its win over Ohio State. I guess you don't need a running game if you have an All-American Quarterback and more than one quality receiver.

Video of the Day

Here is a video clip of future Gopher Rodney Williams showing of his athletic ability at the Timberwolves Gatorade Shootout. I can't recall when the Gophers have had someone with this leaping ability.

The Hot Stove Re-Ignited

Two big bats found new teams this afternoon. Pat Burrell left World Champs Philadelphia for Runner-ups Tampa Bay for 2 years and 16 million. Milton Bradley found his 76th team in signing with the Chicago Cubs for 3-years 30 million. The Cubs move helps adding a switch hitter with power to play right field instead of the disappointing Fukodome. This does not solve their problems but they should maintain their status as NL Central favorites. I think they could use another starter and middle infielder.

While I like the Bradley signing, I love the Burrell signing. While the Yankees went out and spent a quarter billion dollars, the Rays only spent 16 million and in doing so became a better team than the Yankees. They assured to me the Yankees will still finish third and nothing makes me happier. They have a young powerful lineup and that with the young powerful pitching staff looks impressive. I still think they need to help the bullpen a little.

Here should be their opening day lineup
2B Akinori Iwamura (.274 6 hr, 48 rbi, 8 sb)
LF Carl Crawford (.273 8hr, 57 rbi, 25 sb)
CF B.J Upton (.273 9 hr, 67 rbi, 44 sb)
3B Evan Longoria (.272 27 hr, 85 rbi, 7 sb)
1B Carlos Pena (.247 31 hr, 102 rbi, 1 sb)
DH Pat Burrell (.250 33 hr, 86 rbi, 0 sb)
RF Matt Joyce (.252 12 hr, 33 rbi, 0 sb)
C Dioner Navarro (.295 7 hr, 54 rbi, 0 sb)
SS Jason Bartlett (.286 1 hr, 37 rbi, 20 sb)

The averages may not look good but Crawford and Upton are .300 hitters who struggled with injuries last year. Upton should also hit around 30 home runs evidenced by the 7 he hit in 16 postseason games and 24 the year before. Anytime you have a 30 hr guy in Burrell batting 6th you have a lineup that will do damage.

Also in a sad baseball related not Carl Pohlad, the owner of the Twins, died at age 93 today. He was the owner for the Twins only titles in '87 and '91.

Quick Strikes

• If the Gophers play like they did against Ohio State they will make the tournament and have the potential to be a Sweet Sixteen team.
• Devoe Joeseph won that game for us and seems to be taking great strides. There was concern if he could play point guard but he is putting those concerns to rest. Paul Carter and Devron Bostick also seem to be improving.
• While I still think RSIII has the larger upside, Colton Iverson is a lot further along than him. He plays very physical and is improving on the rebounding. They both need to develop a post game.
• I have always been rooting T-Jack I think the experiment has to end. This team has a limited time frame with the talent they have acquired they need a quarterback who is ready to get them to the promised land.
• I have not ever been rooting for Brad Childress and he also needs to go. Him and T-Jack seemed to be in competition on who could cost the team the game more. He threw an interception for a touchdown, Childress doesn't accept a holding penalty that would move them out of field goal range. T-Jack can't complete a pass in the second half, Childress calls a pass play when trying to run out the half that gives Philly a chance to score.
• There are rumors out there that have Defensive Coordinator Lezlie Frazier geting a head coaching job elsewhere. I think the Vikings should fire Childress and hire Frazier. We can't lose a second coordinator that would be a better coach. We lost out on Mike Tomlin, lets not repeat that.
• I think Ohio State has a shot to win the Fiesta Bowl tonight. Texas doesn't possess the speed that USC and Florida had that gave them troubles. They did beat a McCoy lead Texas team last year and almost beat the Vince Young team. I think the extra practice will greatly further the development of Terrelle Pryor. I look for him to have a good game.
• I don't know why I got so much enjoyment out of Louisville beating Kentucky. I should be happy that Kentucky made a mistake and gave us Tubby Smith but I love seeing Minnesota getting better recruiting classes and I pray that somehow we face Kentucky in the near future.
  

Stats of the Day

• September 25, 2005: The last time the Vikings passed for 300 yards by Daunte Culpepper against the New Orleans Saints. What a Kick Ass offense Childress put in.
• 22: The Gophers new rank in the AP poll up from #23
• 328: Total yards by Darren Sproles in San Diego's win
  
• 8-20 78yds: TJack's stats in the the second half
  

Ohio State Game Preview

#21 Minnesota Golden Gophers (12-1, 0-1) Vs. #24 Ohio State (10-1, 1-0)

Ohio State started off the season very well with wins at Miami and beating Notre Dame in Indianapolis. Then David Lighty (9.7 ppg, 5.7 rebs, 1.9 ass) went down with a broken foot and backup point guard Anthony Crater unexpectedly transferred. Since then they got soundly beat by West Virginia and struggled to beat a mediocre Iowa team at home that was playing without leading scorer and drunk Anthony Tucker. With BJ Mullens (7.1 ppg, 3.6 rebs, .2 ass) not playing like the #1 incoming recruit they lack scoring outside Evan Turner and Jon Diebler.

This is a must win game for the Gophers, they beat Ohio State at home last year and they need this to make their case for legitimacy and a NCAA bid. I think they will need 9 wins and a good tournament run or 10 wins in the conference to make the tournament given the weak non-conference schedule and the Louisville win looking less impressive by each Louisville loss. If they lose this game they will have to win the 10 with only 7 home games left and it is hard to win on the road in the Big 10 especially with a young team like the Gophers have. They need Colt 45 to get extensive minutes and they have to keep Ohio State from getting second chances. They also need DJ Swat to get back to his shut down ways and stop Evan Turner who could take over the game.

I think the Gophers will play with great intensity and desperation after the beat down from Michigan State. I don't see a Tubby-coached team playing otherwise. He does need to limit the rotation and stop playing 10 and get it down to 8. I would like to see JAS and Travis Busch in the warm-ups for the majority of the game. We are facing the Buckeyes at the right time and I see us getting in the Big 10 win column.

Prediction Minnesota 71, Ohio State 67

Other Thoughts

• Tomorrow is a big day for Gopher football. Two recruits are going to make their decision at the Army All-American Bowl. Bryce McNeal of Breck and Michael Carter from Florida have the Gophers among their finalists. Reports are that Carter will be a Gopher but McNeal will head to Oregon. The game is on NBC at noon.
• Texas just lost any credence that they should be in the title game instead of Florida. Ole Miss (the team that beat Florida) stomped all over Texas Tech (the team that beat Texas) 47-34 in the Cotton Bowl. Ole Miss had 509 total yards and showed that Texas Tech might have been a little overrated. It also shows that maybe the Big 12 wasn't all it was cracked up to be but that will be decided on January 8th.

Stats of the Day

• 3,100 : The number of tickets left unsold for the Vikings playoff game on Sunday
• 243: Yards rushing by Ole Miss against Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl
• 44: Number of saves made by Jaroslav Janus in Slovakia's upset win 5-3 over USA in the World Junior Championships ending Team USA's run.
  

A Potpourri of Thoughts

• The Gopher finished thier second season with Brewster in a underwhelming fashion. The 7-1 start was a total mirage and looking back on the season they didn't beat a single bowl team and the best win was the Illinois game which turns out to not be that impressive. I do believe the future looks bright especially if Decker decides to return which isn't a given.
• The power running game made its debut for the Gophers. While I think it is something we should add, Brewster has to realize to do that it requires a running back and a capable offensive line and currently he has neither. To not be able to run on a Kansas defense shows how poor the running game is.
• I love the NHL's Winter Classic. It was easily the best sporting event today with the annual USC Blowout in effect. I would love to see the Wild playing at either TCF Bank or Target Field in this game someday.
• The Gatorade Shower officially needs to stop. It has obviously lost all meaning. The (10-3) Georgia Bulldogs as they closed out a win over a mediocre Michigan State team in the all-important Capital One Bowl showered Mark Richt with Gatorade. This was the preseason #1 team in the country. They were supposed to be playing in Miami instead they got walloped by Florida, Alabama, and even Georgia Tech. If you aren't winning a title don't even think about opening the cooler.
• On a final note, the Star Tribune is reporting that Don Lucia might miss at least one game due to illness. They are keeping quiet as to what the illness is but it does appear worrisome as they are telling the players to not talk about it and the Sports Information Director says that Lucia isn't sure what the illness is yet. I hope it is nothing serious and he returns to the bench soon. He is one of the best coaches in college hockey and has done a great job running the program and keeping the majority of Minnesota talent playing for the Maroon and Gold.

Stats of the Day

• 1.86 : Yards per carry for DeLeon Eskridge in the Insight Bowl
• 413: Passing Yards by Mark Sanchez against the Penn St. defense
• 239-113-38: The Don's record as coach of the Gophers