BowedButNotBeaten

Why would recruits who would be freshmen for the fall 2021 season care about this fall being cancelled/postponed?

Mostly a year older, some back from injury. This is a team that started freshmen at eight of the 11 positions on offense in the bowl game against Georgia Tech. Antoine Winfield back from injury at safety, Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks back from injury at running back.

There's really no reason for this not to be a super tight game. Turnovers will be key, which is not exactly groundbreaking analysis.

You did a nice job of summarizing. You've clearly watched Minnesota play this year. Indeed, the D-line is serviceable but not spectacular. They'll rotate lots of bodies in to stay fresh. Coughlin at DE will play in the NFL next year, but he's been bothered by a hamstring issue since training camp that has limited his effectiveness somewhat. The tackles haven't caused anyone's skirts to fly up yet. Kamal Martin at LB is tremendous. He sat out one game for suspension and another for injury, but he's all over the field. Thomas Barber is the other LB, and he's been a bit underwhelming this year. If you can, watch #11 Antoine Winfield because you'll appreciate how talented he is at safety. Both of the last two years he's suffered a season-ending injury against Maryland. When healthy, he's the key cog of the defense. The Minnesota D has been decent with some significant lapses here and there. A mobile QB will give them problems.

I'm intrigued...who is Thurston from Pender and does he often drink on Wednesday afternoons?

Well, selfishly I was hoping Martinez would be on the shelf for this game. He's dangerous.

Is J.D. Spielman going to play? Never blamed the kid for leaving town for college. The media can be brutal on an NFL general manager, and that would be tough to listen to as a kid.

It's fine, but it's nothing special. The stadium will be 30% Husker fans. The Twin Cities are quintessential pro sports towns - the Gophers are far behind the Vikings, Twins, Wild, T-Wolves. They're not that far ahead of Minnesota United FC and maybe even the Lynx. That's ok. It is what it is. But the stadium is a cool-looking brick structure, the fans will be friendly, and you can buy beer. I hope you come and you'll have a good time if you do. Bring the Bits of Broken Chair with you, please.

...tempted to take that bet...

That's a really good point. Kickers certainly haven't had too many issues being accurate at TCF Bank. That's good for us, because we trot out a freshman kicker who has had some success this year but isn't exactly battle tested (except for a big kick in the Fresno St. game).

The stadium isn't tall (because it's not very big) so the wind can blow a bit more there than in larger stadiums. Enough layers and it will be fine. Unless you're one of the shirtless students.

Dress warm if you're coming. Kickoff temp will be around 34 degrees with significant wind. If there's precipitation, and there's a 40% chance there will be, pray that the temperature dips enough to make it snow instead of a freezing drizzle. The weather will have an effect, but I'm not sure in favor of whom. Last week, Tanner Morgan struggled a bit in the dampness and the Gopher receivers had some issues holding onto the ball. Thankfully, the somnolent running attack answered with vigor. Any word on Martinez or Vedral? I suspect Frost will play it close to the vest all week.

Maybe, but yesterday the Gopher defense was stout. The Illinois offense scored three points. Their two touchdowns were a via a pick six and a scoop and score. I don't mind that the Gophers have played a soft schedule so far. I'm enjoying the ride.

Completely agree. It was so weird - like he and the back were glued together for a moment or two. Perhaps the sight of Jackrabbit linemen crashing through the slotted spoon of our offensive line confused him.

Indeed. My only defense of last night's game is that I'd rather be 1-0 than 0-1, and that provides some solace. Meanwhile, I expect Nebraska to have no such issues with South Alabama tomorrow. I'm still keeping alive the faint hope that both teams will be undefeated on October 12th when they play in Minneapolis.