Illinois/Minny
- Thread starter #cruncher
- Start date
Okay, I won't double up my play then. Illini fan by any chance :0074 I reserve the right to change my mind :mj07:
Last edited:
- Sep 7, 2006
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Who has the edge?
OFFENSE -- The Gophers have been a formidable running team the past two seasons behind tailback David Cobb, who could crack the program's top 10 in career rushing Saturday. But now that Mitch Leidner seems to be able to deliver play-action passes on target, this has the makings of the best offense in Jerry Kill's four seasons as head coach. Minnesota averages 8.7 yards per pass completion in Big Ten games, second to Ohio State (9.5). ... Illinois had the conference's leading passer, Wes Lunt, until he broke his leg. Now the Illini are using a two-quarterback system with Riley O'Toole and Aaron Bailey, who are different types of players. Bailey is a runner (75 yards rushing in the last game), O'Toole a passer (two touchdown passes vs. Wisconsin). EDGE: Gophers
DEFENSE -- Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was frustrated in the first half of last week's 39-38 victory over Purdue. The Boilermakers ran all over his defense for 31 points using sets he had not prepared his players for, and that's on him. Cedric Thompson's two interceptions, including the game-clincher, capped a strong second half, when Minnesota gave up a single touchdown. ... Illinois has allowed conference opponents an average of 40 points a game, and the Illini have the worst total defense in Big Ten games (557.7 yards/game). Four Big Ten running backs have topped 160 yards vs
the Illini, led by Ameer Abdullah's 208. EDGE: Gophers
SPECIAL TEAMS -- It's been a long time since a Gophers kicker had a bigger week than Ryan Santoso, who nailed the 52-yard game-winning field goal against Purdue. The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman even received a shout-out from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder after a campus concert. Santoso, the Big Ten special teams player of the week, is 6 for 6 on field goals, best in the Big Ten. Peter Mortell leads the conference in punting with a 45.3-yard average. ... Illinois punter Justin DuVernois ranks right behind Mortell with a 45.1 average, which is a good thing since Illinois punts a lot. But the Illini are 2 of 5 on field goals this season -- and still haven't made one in a Big Ten game. EDGE: Gophers
-- Kill preached to his players how important this game is because a victory would allow Minnesota go into the bye week with confidence and momentum heading into a difficult season-ending four-game stretch against Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The Gophers jumped into the coaches rankings this week at No. 24. With a win, they'll have a chance to be ranked in both polls and go 4-0 to start the Big Ten for the first time since their last conference title in 1967.
OFFENSE -- The Gophers have been a formidable running team the past two seasons behind tailback David Cobb, who could crack the program's top 10 in career rushing Saturday. But now that Mitch Leidner seems to be able to deliver play-action passes on target, this has the makings of the best offense in Jerry Kill's four seasons as head coach. Minnesota averages 8.7 yards per pass completion in Big Ten games, second to Ohio State (9.5). ... Illinois had the conference's leading passer, Wes Lunt, until he broke his leg. Now the Illini are using a two-quarterback system with Riley O'Toole and Aaron Bailey, who are different types of players. Bailey is a runner (75 yards rushing in the last game), O'Toole a passer (two touchdown passes vs. Wisconsin). EDGE: Gophers
DEFENSE -- Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was frustrated in the first half of last week's 39-38 victory over Purdue. The Boilermakers ran all over his defense for 31 points using sets he had not prepared his players for, and that's on him. Cedric Thompson's two interceptions, including the game-clincher, capped a strong second half, when Minnesota gave up a single touchdown. ... Illinois has allowed conference opponents an average of 40 points a game, and the Illini have the worst total defense in Big Ten games (557.7 yards/game). Four Big Ten running backs have topped 160 yards vs
the Illini, led by Ameer Abdullah's 208. EDGE: Gophers
SPECIAL TEAMS -- It's been a long time since a Gophers kicker had a bigger week than Ryan Santoso, who nailed the 52-yard game-winning field goal against Purdue. The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman even received a shout-out from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder after a campus concert. Santoso, the Big Ten special teams player of the week, is 6 for 6 on field goals, best in the Big Ten. Peter Mortell leads the conference in punting with a 45.3-yard average. ... Illinois punter Justin DuVernois ranks right behind Mortell with a 45.1 average, which is a good thing since Illinois punts a lot. But the Illini are 2 of 5 on field goals this season -- and still haven't made one in a Big Ten game. EDGE: Gophers
-- Kill preached to his players how important this game is because a victory would allow Minnesota go into the bye week with confidence and momentum heading into a difficult season-ending four-game stretch against Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. The Gophers jumped into the coaches rankings this week at No. 24. With a win, they'll have a chance to be ranked in both polls and go 4-0 to start the Big Ten for the first time since their last conference title in 1967.
Not a fan of any team. In fairness, I went to school there, but am almost as happy to fade them (which I often do) as back them. My judgement doesn't get clouded when it comes to this stuff.
I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
Gl
