We are already 2/3 the way through our season, a season I wait for during 9 long months of the off season. I try and enjoy every week leading up to the game, and every game even when it is closer than I like (sometimes it is very hard in the heat of the moment of the game). Yet I'm left with the question after reading this board, other boards, twitter, etc.; especially after many of our recent wins . . . when are we allowed to enjoy the season? It seems like after every week, there is more negative discussion about what the Gophers are doing bad, or how we are never going to win when it matters, than any real enjoyment of enjoying the game and a win. Don't get me wrong, I think there are many that have good solid analysis of both our strengths and warts and that is good discussion. I'm talking about the same posters with the same negative points (many incredibly personal and derogatory towards our players) with no balance.
We couldn't enjoy the Oregon St. win because they were terrible. Even though ranked Utah escaped with a close win, and a Cal, who's beat 2 ranked teams at the time, couldn't get a win.
We couldn't enjoy the Indiana St. lopsided game because they are FCS, and terrible, and our 3rd stringers gave up some late points. Even though that same team beat Illinois St., who upset Northwestern.
We certainly couldn't enjoy the Colorado close victory because they were terrible. Even though they came closer to upsetting ranked Boise St., who had more difficulty with CSU.
We obviously couldn't accept losing to Penn St. as this was a very bad Penn St. team that we had no business losing to. Even though their recruiting classes were way higher than our players, and they were good enough to upset #2 Ohio St and are now ranked.
We obviously couldn't accept the embarrassing loss to our rival Iowa, as they were a bad Iowa team. Even though Iowa was good enough to be within a TD late against Wisconsin, who it is clear the Gophers have no chance against the Badgers.
Maryland, are you kidding me, there are a terrible team, so no reason we should feel good about a 3 TD road win against them. Even though a Dantonio coached Spartan team lost to them by 10, and Maryland played everyone's darling Indiana to a TD loss on the road.
No way to enjoy squeaking by Rutgers after jumping up on them 21-3 with many chances to put them away, as they are the worst Big 10 team ever. Ok, I agree they are pretty bad, but I think their QB we faced gives them a lift for the rest of the year. It was just one of those games that we would have lost in the past.
Beating Illinois by 3 TD's plus on the road? They are terrible despite Lovie's excellence as a coach, nothing to take from that game. Even though Illinois went on the road to Nebraska and was up 16-10 going into the 4th quarter against the Huskers, who many say we have little chance against.
I understand there is some nitpicking available against my points above and some hyperbole thrown in, but you get my point. As Nine's thread about how close we are outlined, I think we are much closer than many think. The fact that people get so frustrated, or have a lack of satisfaction with wins against some of the lower Big 10 teams, tells me we have forgotten that part of the reason they (the other teams) look so bad, is our program has progressed where we should beat the lower rung teams in the conference. That wasn't always the case. Anyways, I feel better after pounding that out.
We couldn't enjoy the Oregon St. win because they were terrible. Even though ranked Utah escaped with a close win, and a Cal, who's beat 2 ranked teams at the time, couldn't get a win.
We couldn't enjoy the Indiana St. lopsided game because they are FCS, and terrible, and our 3rd stringers gave up some late points. Even though that same team beat Illinois St., who upset Northwestern.
We certainly couldn't enjoy the Colorado close victory because they were terrible. Even though they came closer to upsetting ranked Boise St., who had more difficulty with CSU.
We obviously couldn't accept losing to Penn St. as this was a very bad Penn St. team that we had no business losing to. Even though their recruiting classes were way higher than our players, and they were good enough to upset #2 Ohio St and are now ranked.
We obviously couldn't accept the embarrassing loss to our rival Iowa, as they were a bad Iowa team. Even though Iowa was good enough to be within a TD late against Wisconsin, who it is clear the Gophers have no chance against the Badgers.
Maryland, are you kidding me, there are a terrible team, so no reason we should feel good about a 3 TD road win against them. Even though a Dantonio coached Spartan team lost to them by 10, and Maryland played everyone's darling Indiana to a TD loss on the road.
No way to enjoy squeaking by Rutgers after jumping up on them 21-3 with many chances to put them away, as they are the worst Big 10 team ever. Ok, I agree they are pretty bad, but I think their QB we faced gives them a lift for the rest of the year. It was just one of those games that we would have lost in the past.
Beating Illinois by 3 TD's plus on the road? They are terrible despite Lovie's excellence as a coach, nothing to take from that game. Even though Illinois went on the road to Nebraska and was up 16-10 going into the 4th quarter against the Huskers, who many say we have little chance against.
I understand there is some nitpicking available against my points above and some hyperbole thrown in, but you get my point. As Nine's thread about how close we are outlined, I think we are much closer than many think. The fact that people get so frustrated, or have a lack of satisfaction with wins against some of the lower Big 10 teams, tells me we have forgotten that part of the reason they (the other teams) look so bad, is our program has progressed where we should beat the lower rung teams in the conference. That wasn't always the case. Anyways, I feel better after pounding that out.
