I caught BTN's replay of the 2011 MN v. Iowa game. It turned out to be Kill's first B1G win, pivoting on a dramatic 4Q on-side kick.
It got me thinking about the comparisons (yes, comparisons steal your joy) about the states of the team in year 1 of our last two transitions. As far as I can tell, the 2017 team is in much better shape and just a handful of players from the 2011 would be starters for our squad today. On defense Brock Vereen would start in our D-backfield, and a young Hageman would also be on our DL. Maybe Keanon Cooper plays in the defense - but the athleticism of our LB corps is far ahead of the Rallis, Tinsley, Cooper starters. On offense, Gray might not be our QB but would play somewhere, and McKnight would be in our WR corps. Not sure if guys like Ed Olson or Chris Bunders could unseat our current OL. Special teams is much stronger on our current team, same with RB & TE.
When the game was over, I felt good that we aren't starting from scratch like we were in 2011. And it restored some confidence that the first-year of a new staff is filled with emotions as folks go through everything for the first time.
It got me thinking about the comparisons (yes, comparisons steal your joy) about the states of the team in year 1 of our last two transitions. As far as I can tell, the 2017 team is in much better shape and just a handful of players from the 2011 would be starters for our squad today. On defense Brock Vereen would start in our D-backfield, and a young Hageman would also be on our DL. Maybe Keanon Cooper plays in the defense - but the athleticism of our LB corps is far ahead of the Rallis, Tinsley, Cooper starters. On offense, Gray might not be our QB but would play somewhere, and McKnight would be in our WR corps. Not sure if guys like Ed Olson or Chris Bunders could unseat our current OL. Special teams is much stronger on our current team, same with RB & TE.
When the game was over, I felt good that we aren't starting from scratch like we were in 2011. And it restored some confidence that the first-year of a new staff is filled with emotions as folks go through everything for the first time.
