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Karl H -> RE: Gopher Football (12/30/2012 10:03:08 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: drew
I agree with you Jeff. The talent disparity between the two teams is a lot more than 3 points, but we could/should have won the game. I think Kill's staff had a really good game plan with the running and play action, and the d backs did an excellent job. Too bad we lost, but I was pretty happy with how we played.
I’m along this line of thinking also. With some time to digest the bowl game, I have a few thoughts going forward:
There’s a reason we were 13 point dogs. They were the better team but I thought we still went toe to toe with them. Arguably we were the 9th best team in our conference. At best we were #8.
I don’t think the coaching was great or horrible. Many folks said our only chance was to pound them with the running game. And that turned out to be the gameplan. Not rocket science IMO. I would have used Gray more but whatever. Philip Fabulous actually did some good things but he’s still a true freshman straight out of the Big Nine conference & thrown into a starting role in the Big Ten. I didn’t mind the two throws by Gray near the end. Yes, Nelson is a better passer but FWIW, Gray has completed 57% of his passes this year. Nelson ended at 49%.
Where were T. Olson and T. Cochran? Could have used both.
Engle is probably our best WR. It was Barker before he quit. Fruetche may be #2. McDonald was nearly invisible most of the year. Moulton has practically fallen of the face of the earth after starting much of last year. Marcus Jones is usually hurt. DCT is coming along slowly, but seems to be still learning. Redshirting would have helped him big time. A scary group. We need Harbison next year but that’s counting on a Freshman to solve this problem.
Offensively, we are what we are. And that’s mediocre running the ball and below average throwing it. All linemen and RB’s return next year. Throw in a few more new linemen (Bobek, Persig, Hayes) and possibly the RB recruit Edwards (Braylon Edward’s little brother) and it should only get better.
Defensively, we were terrible vs the run and so-so against the pass. Seven of eight defensive linemen return from the two deep. A lot of experience is lost at LB & even those guys did not play great. Two starting CB’s will be missed as they were more than acceptable.
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