Want to watch the Gophers beat Rutgers?
Two of the oldest college football programs square off for only the fifth time. Minnesota leads the all-time series 3-1 and expects to move that record to 4-1. Here’s how.
How to Watch
TV: BTN
Time: 11:00
Stream: FoxSports.com
These are two programs that are very familiar with each other. There is crossover among the coaching staffs, PJ Fleck considers Greg Schiano a mentor and the Scarlet Knight’s starting quarterback used to be Minnnesota’s starting quarterback.
The sideline drama is downplayed, but it lingers.
Last year, Rutgers
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Pressure Kaliakmanis – Watching Rutgers play Iowa last weekend, it was clear that Kaliakmanis with pressure is very different than Kaliakmanis without. Maybe a sub-key here is taking away his first read. When he can do a three-step drop, throw a quick pass to his first read, he is successful. Let’s take that away by pressuring him quickly and jumping that first read.
Find offensive identity – Sometimes this takes time for the Gopher offense, but they need to find an identity and lean heavily into it. Most likely, is to rely on the ground game and then utilize play-action passing to move the ball. But the offensive line is still a work in progress. Finding ways to gash a Robb Smith defense hasn’t been a mystery in the past, but it needs to be executed.
Line of scrimmage is THE key – This really ties into both of the previous “keys.” If the defensive line can do its job of stopping the run and applying pressure without the need for continuous blitzing, that will be a tremendous help. If the offensive line can open holes for whoever is running the ball, the offense will have options and should put up points.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #9 WR – Ian Strong– An NFL-caliber receiver who is potentially a problem for the Gopher secondary. He is a big receiver who had 151 yards receiving last week at Iowa.
- #9 DB – Jett Elad – Elad has a sweet name and he shares the same number as Strong, making it easy to identify who we should be watching on both sides of the ball. Elad leads the Scarlet Knights in tackles and also has an interception this season.
PREDICTION
I am cautiously optimistic, but that is just as much because I “WANT” a win. Had we beaten Cal, I would be coming into this game with extreme confidence.
There is not a significant talent difference between these two programs and this will come down to execution and hopefully home-field advantage.
Minnesota – 23
Rutgers – 18
