Look for Gophers to finish strong with half of the meaningful schedule left to play (4 of 9 the Big Ten games; Bowl game).
Ciarrocca dialing up great game plans, guys getting open, just needs his QB and WRs and TEs to execute better. The Rock, Simon and Fleck will get that execution down here in final two months. May get something out of Croft, Howard, Williams, Carter, Still, Lingen, Woz yet.
Oline has now had three months to practice and gel (remember they had no practice in Spring) and it is starting to show dividends. Warinner and Callahan will find a way to get some game breaking holes for Smith, Brooks and McCrary down the second half.
Smith's defense has been rock solid (20 in total defense, top 21 in scoring allowed; 23 in passing yards allowed). May be getting some help from injured reserve (Shenault, Thomas, Winfield, Durr) down the stretch that will help.
Team is super disciplined (#2 in penalty yards assesed) and is great at ball hawking (#14 in nation) and despite the QBs, top 25 in turnover margin...those things help you win close games down the stretch.
Need special teams to be a little more special in final five games.
Big emotional rivalry games left in Big. Sold out crowds at all but Evanston. PJ will make that emotion, intensity work for the Gophs!
Ciarrocca dialing up great game plans, guys getting open, just needs his QB and WRs and TEs to execute better. The Rock, Simon and Fleck will get that execution down here in final two months. May get something out of Croft, Howard, Williams, Carter, Still, Lingen, Woz yet.
Oline has now had three months to practice and gel (remember they had no practice in Spring) and it is starting to show dividends. Warinner and Callahan will find a way to get some game breaking holes for Smith, Brooks and McCrary down the second half.
Smith's defense has been rock solid (20 in total defense, top 21 in scoring allowed; 23 in passing yards allowed). May be getting some help from injured reserve (Shenault, Thomas, Winfield, Durr) down the stretch that will help.
Team is super disciplined (#2 in penalty yards assesed) and is great at ball hawking (#14 in nation) and despite the QBs, top 25 in turnover margin...those things help you win close games down the stretch.
Need special teams to be a little more special in final five games.
Big emotional rivalry games left in Big. Sold out crowds at all but Evanston. PJ will make that emotion, intensity work for the Gophs!
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