Boat Inspection: Minnesota Gophers Football Week 3
WEEK 2 ARTICLES: WEEK 2 RECAP, G5 TOP 4, CFP TEAMS, WEEK 3 GOTW
STATUS: Half speed ahead
Why are we only going half speed? Well, for starters, we're just two games into the season. And second, there's already an issue on the football team. Quarterback Demry Croft got sent home for "personal reasons" but we don't know what that means. It's nice to see PJ Fleck taking the culture of this program seriously and putting a clamp on any players that break the trust of the team. With last year's issues, you almost have to overreact to these situations if you want to right the ship. Hopefully, this is an isolated incident by just one player, and not something bigger than that. Croft was competing for the starting job with Conor Rhoda.
LAST WEEK: W, 48-14 vs. Oregon State
Minnesota was dominant in its win over Oregon State, pushing the Beavers to 1-2 and the Gophers to 2-0 on the season. We've yet to see our first 100 yard rusher this season, but we do have two 100 yard receiving games by Tyler Johnson. To put that in perspective, there were eight games where Minnesota had a 100 yard rusher, and two games they had a 100 yard receiver last season. Our offense was so bad last year....good riddance to #7.
The defense is responsible for seven points in this game, and the offense gave them a really short field to defend after a fumble gave the Beavers the ball inside the red zone. They've now given up just 21 points (well, really 14) this season and are proving they can keep this team in games so far. They're going to need that elite play this week.
In terms of overall play, the Gophers haven't looked bad, but there is still some inconsistency. It's like they play well for 95% of the game, but it's that 5% of bad play that keeps the other team in the game. A few sloppy plays in the first half forced them to refocus at halftime, and eventually led to a strong second half showing. Same with the Buffalo game. Minnesota had opportunities to put up points, but missed field goals and a turnover limited their margin of victory.
UP NEXT: vs Middle Tennessee
The Blue Raiders are coming off an upset win over Syracuse, and possess the best quarterback-wide receiver duo that the Gophers will see this year. Brent Stockstill is arguably the best quarterback in Conference-USA, and is returned after throwing for 3,233 yards and 31 touchdowns in 9.5 games last season. He missed 3.5 games due to injury. Minnesota will have problems stopping him from finding his favorite target in Richie James. James, who along with his partner Ty Lee, is just 5'9" but is as dynamic in the offense as anyone in the country. MTSU won their last game of the season in 2016 against FAU mostly because of him. He went 5-6 for 76 yards passing, rushed 22 times for 207 yards and three touchdowns, and caught four passes for 120 yards and another score. Minnesota would be wise to try and shut James down, and force Stockstill, who is also left-handed, to beat them another way.
This is a Blue Raiders team that can score, but the defense is a big question mark just like last year. If their defense can improve, the Blue Raiders could make a run at a New Year's bowl (though the loss to Vanderbilt does hurt). Minnesota should look to pass against this defense, but can fall back on their stable of backs if necessary.
Outlook: Proceed with caution. Middle Tennessee is good. Don't let the Conference USA affiliation fool you. Minnesota should win this game, but they could be in for a battle.
