Checking out New Mexico State ahead of Thursdays game. New Mexico State down 17-2 at the half versus Nevada. Quite frankly Coach Kill has a monumental task ahead of him with this program. They are very, very undersized for a D1 football team and really look confused just like you would expect for a team in its first game under a new head coach.

Offensive

Pretty much exactly what you would expect from a Jerry Kill offense. A ton of QB read option, QB power, QB draw. He still loves the jet motion into wheel. QB staring down primary target, no read whatsoever. 3 interceptions in first half and a strip sack fumble. O-line looks very undersized which is making big problems for Kill's power run scheme

Defensive

It would appear they are running some sort of Big Dime scheme. Basically a 3-4 where you replace the two outside LBs with Safety/LB hybrids. Playing with what appears to be two 4 technique DE and a 0 technique NT. Severely undersized, Gophers could possibly run for over 400 yards against these guys they are that undersized. I'm just not sure what to make of the scheme in general, I don't understand the premise of how they are intending to stop the run.

The top thread on the Nebraska free board is "FIRE SCOTT FROST YESTERDAY!

Interesting reading. Gopher Rivals members can look for free.

A known Gopher sports hangout, albeit not a big crowd or venue, is Three Dogs Tavern in north Denver, at 3390 W. 32nd Avenue. I plan to watch the game there and invite other Denver Gopher fans to join me. Last year I watched a game there and ended up sitting with former Gopher OL Joe Bjorkland, who had slimmed down a hundred pounds from his playing weight.

GO GOPHERS!

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Some takeaways:

- Excited about the additions of USC and UCLA. Knows both AD's really well. Takes conference coast to coast.
- New media deal will have a big impact on their program.
- Fundraising is very aggressive and very strong currently.
- Athletes Village has been a game-changer for their program.
- Minnesota will continue to do everything to support their student-athletes and provide a first-class experience
- Doesn't know about future scheduling with USC/UCLA coming in, but will vouch to keep rivalries with Wisconsin and Iowa ongoing.
- Call NIL "clunky" across the country currently. Wants to make sure they make the best long-term decisions for their students and programs.

With Mo Ibrahim and Trey Potts back this season, what's your rushing yards prediction for each player?

Stat predictions for Morgan this upcoming season with Ciarrocca back in charge?

To me it is Bishop. Might not start, however looked great int he spring game.

Have heard big Daniel is looking solid for the Ravens. Any word how the others are looking and who will make a roster? Last year’s LT got cut by 49ers. Anybody looking good in CFL?

- No opening statement from PJ.

- Mike Brown-Stevens has progressed a ton in the "ability to play big". He is filling out more physically but his understanding of the offense and mastering of the offense has been big this offseason. Fleck thinks he's in for a big season.

- Likes what he's seen out of the guys coming back from season-ending injuries last year.

- The defense is "different" than it was last year. Fleck likes the experience of the defense and believes the front seven could be very good but notes it will take all 11 guys in their rotation to play at a high level for it to be good.

- Hasn't named a starter at right tackle just yet. Martes Lewis, J.J Guedet, and Quinn Carroll are all competing for that spot. Believes they could play all three early in the season.

- WR Daniel Jackson is day-to-day right now.

- Started NMST prep today with walkthroughs, will make changes of course after NMST's game tomorrow. Wil practice Sunday night and Monday night to prepare for the night kickoff on Thursday

- His expectations for Minnesota? "Championship season". But notes this team has been through a lot in their career and that any given Saturday or Thursday, anyone can win. "A lot of these guys have beaten Auburn and Penn State and have lost to Bowling Green".

- Was asked about Jerry Kill - he quickly put that question to rest, saying he's not shaken a head coaches hand.

- "It's been fun" to watch Kirk Ciarrocca and Tanner Morgan work together again this offseason. Called it a unique situation of Ciarrocca leaving, coming back after two years, and still being surrounded by faces he's familiar with.

- Believes the defense has the personnel to do some different things such as playing nickel while still in a base defense. Believes they have some versatility on the defensive line on the edges as well, to be able to "plug and play" to different situations.

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Massive deal for the Big Ten

Minnesota isn’t among the teams mentioned, but a snapshot of the teams that re-hauled through the portal this offseason

Six University of Minnesota student-athletes were named to the Senior Bowl Watch List today. The Gophers had four players on offense selected and two on defense.

Leading the way on offense were center and pre-season All-American John Michael Schmitz, 2020 Big Ten Running Back of the Year Mohamed Ibrahim, quarterback Tanner Morgan and receiver Chris Autman-Bell.

On defense, the Senior Bowl named safeties Tyler Nubin and Jordan Howden to their watch list.

The Senior Bowl is the premier postseason showcase game for NFL hopefuls. All 484 position players on the list this year are eligible to participate in the all-star game as either a 2018 high school graduate or true four-year player (with five or more games played in three previous seasons).

The 2023 Senior Bowl will be played on Feb. 4, 2023, in Mobile, Ala.

@Alex Carlson projects the depth chart for Minnesota heading into week one against New Mexico State

Just saw a news report regarding the cost of college education along with the large drop out rate overall. Numbers are staggering so what's up? If memory serves me correctly, I remember reading about Great Britain's education system. They have siphoned off students early on in the their school years and moved them into more of a vocational education. I suppose the criteria was test scores and the like but don't know for sure. Could have been familial status in terms of income, etc.

If America continues to ignore the importance of vocational education we will have a shortage of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics and HVACs that will be so acute it'll be like calling 911 in liberal-run cities. You call, no one comes.

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Expectations for Wright this upcoming season?

Dalvin Cook hasn't played a snap yet, which is very understandable for being a preseason game. But he has proven to be a heck of a back. Minnesota knows it needs guys that can catch the ball and hopefully block as well as run the ball.. I was encouraged in the last 3 quarters with Ty Chandler and Kene Nwangwu in the first preseason game. I know it is only one game but gave me reason to be somewhat encouraged.

Chandler has all the tools to be an every down back.. He has good balance and acceleration to the hole... Seems to have good vision and can catch the ball(saw it in college). Nwangwu is a 'home run' hitter who is very fast... Both can return kicks which is important, as well. Liked that for the most part, both did not go down on the initial hits against the Raiders.

TO me, Minnesota is preparing for the departure of Alexander Mattison, eventually.. His contract is going to be up and he wants a starting spot. Dont think that will be with the Vikings unless there is injury though I agree he is very talented. Chandler can do many of the same things. I think if Minnesota could find a team with a solid center to trade, I would trade Mattison and Bradbury for whoever that center would be from elsewhere.

Kevin Warren is the best commissioner in the country. He took some heat for how he handled Covid a few years ago but right now. He’s on fire! 🔥

If he lands Notre Dame! Game ova!!!!

Fleck said that Minnesota was a sleeping giant and he was gonna wake this puppy up. Well….we woke now Boys! Wide awake!

To me it is amazing that we live in a time with 6 current or former US Presidents living at the same time.. I dont think that has ever been done before although in the Trump administration, it was also true until George Bush 41 died in 2018. Thinking that a living President would live over 40 years past his last day in office is unfathomable(Jimmy Carter). I just think that is awesome and worthy of recognition, regardless whether you agree with them politically. Our current and former Presidents still alive are Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George Bush 43, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.