Kansas Jayhawks @ Minnesota Golden Gophers GameThread, Dec 31, 2008 5:00 PM CST

Open Game Thread :: Game #13 :: Insight Bowl :: Minnesota 7-5 (3-5) vs. Kansas 7-5 (4-4)

by rockchalk on Dec 31, 2008 3:30 PM CST in Football Comment 17 comments

Kansas Jayhawks @ Minnesota Golden Gophers

Here it is.

What we've all been waiting for.

It should be a decent game, against a mostly quality opponent, in a game that most college football fans couldn't care less about. Plus, with its banishment to the always-awesome-but-exclusive NFL Network, it shouldn't draw too many eyeball.

But as long as we win, it doesn't matter much. That's the key, here. Win. I want to start some long-ass bowl winning streak. It stands at 2 currently, obviously, but I want to go up, up, up. And while the most important aspect of getting into bowl games is to get those extra practices, it is fun to win them as well. So hell, why not win?

I bet we do win, in fact, although they keep us on our toes for the first 3 quarters-or-so. I bet Eric Decker burns us at least once, and their newly-developed power running game might give us some fits. But our offense is too explosive to be contained for too long, and I bet Dezmon Briscoe explodes.

Kansas 38 Minnesota 20.

I will be at the game, but if any of y'all want to chat the game up, make sure and drop in here.

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Comments

I was actually thinking of making a trip to Arizona for college visits, and I was going to plan around the Bowl game. Then I realized the futility of attending a college in Arizona and didn’t go.

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by giants9107 on Dec 31, 2008 4:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Futility of attending a college in Arizona?

Warm weather and hot chicks.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 5:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

But I live in CA, so a CSU or UC would be better and cheaper.

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by giants9107 on Dec 31, 2008 6:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah

That makes sense. My post was from a Kansan’s perspective.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 7:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well yes

Then I agree with your point. I honestly think college in the Midwest sounds good.

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by giants9107 on Dec 31, 2008 8:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trust me.

It is a horrible idea. Great for living and life outside of college, not so much for college. Unless it is in Lawrence, of course.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nice start

looks like fun.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by corn blight on Dec 31, 2008 5:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Defense is scaring me a little bit already.

Feeling a butt kicking after the first play and then turn around give it right back.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 5:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Offense isn't scaring me.

Reesing looks good. Sharp is running pretty well. I don’t think their corners can defend the receivers.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 5:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Minnesota

actually started the season playing lights out, but really fell apart down the stretch.

MN’s defense has never been good, but forced a HUGE amount of turnovers early in the season.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by corn blight on Dec 31, 2008 6:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

HUGE amount of turnovers

against crap teams. Michigan beat them soundly. This season, that’s nuff said.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 7:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Way to go D. I have a feeling it’s going to get ugly.

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by giants9107 on Dec 31, 2008 6:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts on the first half....

Looks like Minnesota tried to put a little too much extra in their gameplan, as it seems that their spread attack has suffered a bit while their power run game has been adequate. I don’t know why you’d try to power run against our linebackers. Also, the one trick play worked real well but those are almost like write-offs – they work once and don’t really indicate anything about how you’re going to do.
As for us, it looks like Kendrick Harper was really getting picked on in the first half, but I think once the rust wore off he started to make them pay with a deflection and some better coverage.
All in all, I think that Minnesota’s spread, while effective in the Big 10, probably is at Colorado’s level in the Big XII. Especially now that we’re double covering Decker, they don’t seem to have anything else.
That said, they play two halves for a reason, so lets keep it up.
Rock Chalk.

by 2.1 seconds left on Dec 31, 2008 6:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

They have really 3 main weapons: Decker, Weber, and a run game. Well, we shut down the run game, and we double covered Decker, but he still had a good game. And Weber had some key runs that allowed this game to be this close. We dominated, and I enjoyed this win going into the offseason.

The stadium looked empty. All the Arizonians waiting for the Fiesta Bowl?

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by giants9107 on Dec 31, 2008 8:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

In a different game...

LSU 21 GTech 3

I didn’t expect that at all. Georgia Tech (believe it or not) has been outstanding the last couple of games of the season. Whipping them says a lot for LSU.

by Warden11 on Dec 31, 2008 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

That’s a weird game. I guess LSU figured out the triple option.

Insanity is just a state of mind.

by giants9107 on Dec 31, 2008 8:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think one of the strengths of the triple option

Is that it is so difficult to prepare for in a week or even two. When given the time before the bowl games, however, I think that defensive coaches benefit b/c they can focus entirely on in. Otherwise, during the season, you’re only preparing against the option for one game, so that preparation is hasty and also doesn’t help you in later games.

by 2.1 seconds left on Dec 31, 2008 8:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs