GopherBill

Just had a local update from a 24/7 writer that shows Minnesota is practically last in a now 18-team conference in paying assistants. I guess we should be happy with the performance we get out of who we have. As for Heatherman, he was just here for a couple of seasons but we did not go down in performance. Wish him luck except when playing you guys in the future. For us, next man up.

Me personally I'm in a Thelma and Louise kind of mode. I know how the movie ends but it's a hell of a ride and it is the money leading the game over the cliff. The only hope is for the "student" athletes themselves step in and put on some guardrails. A lot to expect from 17-21 year olds but for NIL and the Portal that's the only solution. Correctly the courts will not let anything else get in the way. Understand the frustration. The Hokies did themselves good tonight. That's a good thing.

warm-ups but quite another when the other guys want to stop you for real. Nice job.

Wishing the Hokies a good off-season going from here. Met several Hokies before the game and really a great bunch. A Gopher who lives in Northern VA had some good laughs with them because he knows your touchy spots. All in good fun. Looked pretty clean from the stands although I know you think there were some questionable calls. I agree but they did even out. On the game, your guys played hard and had some good plays. As you saw we rely on our defense to come through and tonight they did. Unfortunately we start over at QB again next year as Max No. 16 was a grad transfer from the Portal good for only one year. Finally, I now know a HokieBird when I see one so that's a plus. Hope your coaching changes come through and it comes together better next year. GopherBill. ** Edited by GopherBill at 1/4/2025, 12:51:10 AM

From the B1G...

One thing I enjoy is going to the opponent's radio network to see what's up. For Minnesota, the flagship is KFAN at 100.3 FM. It is an I-Heart station that I'd expect bowl coverage to begin at 5:30 EST. That will be a quick way to see the announcements at that point on injuries and opt outs. We're part of the Learfield Sports Network of games so that may be familiar. Just a thought...and the link is below... Ski U Mah!

Come in the middle of winter and embrace the cold and outside or come in late summer to early fall. Snowmobile...ice fish...hot sauna and then jump through the ice into a frozen lake. Those are the best times for a southerner to visit.

Hoping to see inspired ball on both sides and no injuries. Still don't know who will be there for the Gophers but do expect the starting QB and RB and our stud freshman LB. After that who knows. No prediction from me but do expect Minnesota to prevail. Beautiful day here in Charlotte. Looking forward to seeing Hokie Bird in person. We say "Ski U Mah...Row the Boat...Go Gophers!"

Michigan and PSU but zebras stepped in. Completely lost it for Rutgers. No excuse there. But yes, we underperformed in the final W-L reckoning.

Having a big breakfast before traveling Delta to Atlanta for a few days before the bowl. Happy New Years Hokies and see you in Charlotte...

Someone has to stand up for the bowl performance honor of the ACC...Why not VT? Why not January 3rd? ;)

someone posted at a Gopher fan site that the line is moving in VT's direction. Not sure what's changed but interesting if true... ** Edited by GopherBill at 12/29/2024, 8:40:16 AM

Coach Fleck quote from the Star Tribune that is our main newspaper in the Twin Cities: As Fleck assesses his roster, he’ll do so knowing that some seniors will opt out of the bowl game to begin preparing for the NFL draft. While the coach wouldn’t reveal any opt-outs — “The availability report will be out two hours before kickoff,” Fleck said — offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, linebacker Cody Lindenberg, defensive end Jah Joyner and cornerback Justin Walley are the most likely to not play. This is the first word on anything on the Minnesota side. Still don't know for sure of course but these match the quality of the VT players on the table too. Would link the article but it is behind a paywall. ** Edited by GopherBill at 12/28/2024, 10:20:18 PM

Coach Fleck submits the roster a few hours before the game. Not expecting to lose a lot of starters. I'll offer you losing the DE and DT may work for us trying to work outside. Our stud RB is Darius Taylor who got nicked up earlier in the season which is a big reason we lost to Rutgers. He should be healthy and his strength is actually as a pass-catcher RB but he's quick to gaps too after waiting for one to open. Coach Fleck's staff has done well preparing for bowls so not worried on that. His schtick is every game is a "one game championship season." So this will be the Virginia Tech one game championship season that just so happens to be in Charlotte in early January.

Scariest times are at 2 minute TOs for both halves. It seems like we go to prevent defense and give up big chunks of the field. Also, that's when the zebras get their shots just like GT saw yesterday.

Our running game has just not been good enough this year for that level of production, even with us being a slightly pass-heavy offense. I know you guys think you have issues but I think it will be a lower scoring game than that prediction.

Staying in Rock Hill with friends for the game. Looks like gameday weather will be perfect. Going to Graham Street Pub at stadium for pre-game vittles and tune-up. Looking forward to it.

VT and MN come in pretty close...slight OOC edge to VT. This aligns with 7-5 vs 6-6 records that could have gone a W or L either way to either team for the final tally. We believe we could have realistically been 8-4 with our "now looking back" lens on the Gophers season. I think the "what'a, could'a, should'a" look back for VT also has 8-4 as the look back max with different bounces of the football. Going ahead and hitting the egg nog 9-3 would be the dream. Merry Christmas from a snowy Twin Cities. ** Edited by GopherBill at 12/24/2024, 3:23:54 PM

...we may have just been fighting above our weight class that day while State was looking ahead. Still was fun to attend even with the loss. We did beat USC earlier in the season when folks thought they were one of the better teams. Fun game too.

A background piece to spice up Clemson-Texas over commercials. Here's ESPN Jordan Reid's write-up on 2025 NFL QB prospects. Includes Max Brosmer with Minnesota. Original link below. Has a paywall so text pulled. 9. Max Brosmer, Minnesota​ Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 225 pounds Class: Senior | Projected range: MId-to-late Day 3 Where he excels: Brosmer made the FCS to FBS transition quite nicely in 2024, throwing 2,617 passing yards and 17 touchdowns to only five interceptions while showing steady growth at Minnesota. That followed a great career at New Hampshire, where he racked up 8,467 passing yards and 68 touchdowns in four seasons, including an FCS-best 3,459 yards in 2023. Brosmer is a quick passer with unwavering confidence. He has an average arm but gets the ball out quickly. Both his completion percentage (66.8%) and off-target percentage (9.0%) rank in the top 20 of the FBS and demonstrate his understanding of how to place the ball in tight coverage. He plays with a constant chip on his shoulder, and that competitiveness shows on film. Brosmer doesn't hesitate on throws, and his confidence grew as he became more acclimated to the FBS level. He shares similar traits to longtime NFL backups who spend a decade or more in the league. ------------------------- Hopefully lives up to this billing.

Gophers put on a pretty good show in Minneapolis. Led for a good part of the game. Our 24 was the most points a team had scored on PSU until that point in the season. Zebras had to join in on the Nittanie's last scoring drive. Terrible PI call on 3rd and long 2/3 way in the 4th. They scored to take the lead and held on from there. Agree the first two match-ups are just that...match-ups and nothing more. Obviously parity is relative when going by W-L record across conferences. Almost miss the computer... Hoping the next two games today are more competitive. Similar, hoping the Mayo is competitive too. We'll know in two weeks.

with extra Blue Plate mayo...

of VT even with a depleted roster if that develops. Just not in our DNA this season. Our QB is a Portal grad transfer from New Hampshire. Was a hotshot in FCS but took some time to adapt to speed of FBS game. Has a wicked wrist-release throwing motion that is great when on target and the receivers are ready. This will be his last MN game. Only one season of eligibility but we're glad we got him.

Coach Fleck is in his 7th season at Minnesota and part of his pitch...especially to player mothers...is come to Minnesota and you'll leave here a balanced man geared for success in the rest of your life. Probably jinxing things here but the program under him has been relatively player issue free with no scandals (unlike the previous regime that had a serious sex incident to deal with, plus players vowing to boycott the bowl game over it). So the point is that if this is a big part of coming to Minnesota, and you're not going on to the pros in any capacity, there's a strong incentive to at least hang around till graduation. So I think that's a big part of the relatively low number so far. Everyone nationally hears "Row the Boat" that actually started at Western Michigan, but he's got a million acronyms and sayings that the players actually want to embrace. Add that our football performance at least is competitive, he is not going anywhere unless he wants to...it won't be the Administration showing him the door. ** Edited by GopherBill at 12/21/2024, 10:41:59 AM

on penalties? Gophers in general are disciplined but our new center has been an issue. This goes back to earlier post on just how raw VT is likely to be on the field. Having gameday snaps is invaluable experience for getting off the ball. Motion penalties can be a killer.

Since Rutgers beat both of us. We probably have an excuse for the loss in that the Rutgers QB was our starter for the 2023 season. He just did not want to compete for the job in 2024 and jumped ship. He unfortunately showed us. We had a great October run of 4 games. USC, UCLA, Maryland, Illinois. Good times then spoiled by the Scarlet Knights.

24/7 has a running list of who's coming and going for Minnesota for the Portal. Without any research only Nubin (leaving) has seen playing time over the past couple of seasons. See below. Like before DB Walley has declared for draft and we expect Aireontae Ersery (O Line) to declare too. There are a handful of other seniors who could declare for draft but have not done so yet. Bottom line is that like others have said you can expect a pretty intact Minnesota team to be in Charlotte. Winter has arrived here (first major snow yesterday) so you never know if a bug races through the team between now and then.

Even if a player declares for the Portal they are still eligible to play in a bowl game. I think it's generally assumed someone who declares is unhappy and won't play but they have the option. I guess the onus is on the coaches too as to whether they want a transfer seeker on the field when the next man up could get a shot.

Our DB Justin Walley declared for the draft so he is probably out. It is a short list so far.

at the end of the 3rd Quarter but Minnesota's is "Do the Gopher" that has Carl's nemesis tunneling on the green and emerging to dance as in Caddyshack. At that moment a celebrity pops in and encourages all in attendance to "Do the Gopher." Then the music pipes in and folks do something akin to a little dance. It's a fun moment...our version of Jump Around that Wisky does. For the fairer sex, it can involve some waggling that is fun to watch. That's our tribute to Caddyshack.

Gopher fans there in me and Mrs. GopherBill...of course as long as there's a reason to make some noise. Actually the Missus routinely yells on 1st downs which is why I love her... Looking forward to giving some decibels to the Hokies for sure.

in 2021 and the Mountaineers were fine. We just finished a one to one with North Carolina and I met a Tar Heel who's goal in life is to attend a game at every NFL and college venue before he dies. And not just for football, but BB, hockey, and baseball too. Not sure he works but still quite a fellow. Obviously the Hokies on this board are the real deal and deep in the weeds with the program. This is great to see. As for the father-in-law he's over in Bison territory. NDSU is the real deal in that neck of the woods although all the Dakota schools are making some noise nowadays.

Minnesota's Head Coach P.J. Fleck has a weekly radio show. This week includes discussion of the upcoming bowl game. Probably some nuggets around both programs. Link provided below.

Love when we get snow games. Does not happen often but they are fun. Minnesota played in the Metrodome for almost 30 years but have been back outside since 2009. We have played home games late in the season where it was clear the visitors did not want to be there due to the cold conditions. Again, love it and I'm a southern transplant. To the original post, understood on Bloomington and the memories of the Vikes playing there. Green Bay really now holds the honor for winter football conditions. The fans in US Bank Stadium are quite content being indoors. Big upgrade from the Dome.

But see that VT plays both Maryland and Penn State this season. Since these 2 are B1G+ teams, maybe a match-up on the ice will happen too some day for the Hokies and the Gophers? First things first though. Looking forward to the game in Charlotte.

The Gophers 24 points were the most put up on them to that point. Unfortunately they got 25...

Our Portal QB was in his first D1 game against NC. He was hot stuff in FCS out of New Hampshire but it took until Game 5 against Michigan, 2nd half, to play to the D1 level speed of the game. After that he was fine all through October then we fell off the cliff in all 3 phases against Rutgers. Somehow both of us lost to them this season. Truly a low point. Lost to PSU by 1 point in November in a fantastic but heart-breaker game. Got The Axe back so a lot better.

A good D takes some pressure off the offensive production no doubt. I-O-W-A is a case in point. They have practically zero offense but still won games. That has been their formula for several seasons. Plus Kinnick is not pleasant for the visitors. The Gophers completely flipped this year in becoming a pass dominant team. O Line and nicked RBs played into the reduced run game however we finally got a QB that could read the defense, check at the line, and then go through the passing checks and run if absolutely needed. Oregon though is a completely different story. They are just fast. Period. We don't play them until the 26 and 27 seasons that is fine.

with Paul Bunyan's Axe...which is another story...

That's a great story. Wikipedia does as good a job as any on Golden Gophers and our Goldy... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldy_Gopher Some historic shots

Good vibes to be sure...

7th nationally in total defense. This looks good but is misleading at the same time. In our close losses, especially Penn State, we held tough most of the game but then had moments where the other guys just marched down the field. Went completely befuddled. But the original thought stands. It will be physical at the line, DBs, and LBs.

More of a made-up whoop going back to the early days of FB. From the University's Traditions webpage: Ski-U-Mah This famous Minnesota phrase, pronounced SKY-YOU-MAH, dates back to 1884 when two Minnesota rugby players, John W. Adams and Win Sargent, wanted to think of a fitting team yell. Years earlier, Adams heard a young Native American boy yell "Ski-oo!" after a victorious canoe race on Lake Pepin (in southeastern Minnesota). Adams and Sargent added "Mah" to represent the University of Minnesota. The phrase is now used to proclaim Victory for Minnesota. Minnesota has 12 federally-recognized Indian Nations...and in fact the open-end plaza of our stadium is called the "Tribal Nation Plaza" with a plaque-monument-monolisk to each one. At the final fundraising the Shakopee Sioux Band threw in significant monies and this was rewarded with the hat-tip to Minnesota's tribal heritage on the plaza. Completely politically and otherwise correct. What does an amped-up Hokie yell to inspire the men? Anything special?

Gopher fans saw the Duke's Mayo Bowl's ACC-B1G+ tie in as making VT, GT, and Clemson as potential opponents based on records. We played GT in 2018 as Paul Johnson's triple-option was going bye-bye so the desire to play GT again was low ALTHOUGH obviously some good things are happening in downtown Atlanta. Between the Tigers and Hokies after that, the matchup with VT looks pretty good on paper. Just like us you had some close losses (looked it up and 5 were TD or less) so we both feel like our 7-5 and 6-6 records don't tell the whole story. I'm not predicting a large Gopher following for this one. We had the Citrus in 2014 against Mizzou and traveled very well. Similar in 2019 against Auburn in the Outback and traveled well. Had Michigan not beaten O-H-I-O State we might have made a Florida bowl or Nashville. Either would have an SEC opponent so in-person interest would likely be higher. Regardless, me and the Missus will be there in spades. We yell "Ski U Mah!" (pronounced "sky you mah!) which is fake Indian lingo for "Go Gophers!" Coach Fleck does a good job getting his teams ready for bowls. Looking forward to the match-up.