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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 12, 2007
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Hey just a curious buckeye fan here wanting to know more about the teams around the big ten. I am hoping for the big ten to re-establish itself as a true power. While I dont buy the crap that the big ten is weak I do know ive seen better days of football for our conference. I have read things saying that PSU, illinois, wisky, and MSU are bringing back pretty good teams and I know OSU is as well, as for michigan i def think they can crack the top 25 depending on how well RR builds the team this summer the talent is still there.. Just hoping for a little input from you all.
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Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 26, 2007
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Anyone? U really want to leave this up to me?
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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Many of the experts say we are bringing in the 3rd best recruiting class in the Big Ten this year (behind Ohio State and Michigan) and rank it around 15th - 20th in the nation. Quite a feat for Coach Brewster when one considers the Gophers are coming off one of the worst seasons, in terms of wins and losses, in the history of the program. I don't think their going to be contenders in the Big Ten this season, but look for a significantly improved team. As a Gophers fan I'll be rooting for bowl eligibility and at least 1 of the trophy games! New on-campus stadium for the maroon and gold next fall!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 25, 2006
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It's all a question of how fast these incoming freshman can contribute. They all have a shot to start, which says a lot about how bad we were last year. I wouldn't expect much next year, as we'll be a VERY young team, but when these kids mature, look out. Many of these recruits were the kind of kids you Ohio State fans are used to seeing....certainly much better than the class PSU, MSU, or Wisconsin got. All it takes is stringing together a couple good classes and we're back in business. You need to look no further than Illinois to see our blueprint.
But the Big Ten will be weak this next year. I'd expect Michigan to fail miserably as they try to install a spread offense into a team that is built for the power running game. Hmmm....sounds familiar, huh Gopher fans? They do have more talented players to work with, but losing all those stars (Henne, Manningham, Arrington, Hart, Long) has got to hurt. If I were them, I'd be realistic and be happy with bowl eligibility. So without Michigan to butt heads with, I think the conference is yours again this year OSU. Illinois still isn't there yet. Maybe PSU comes in second, with Wisky nipping at their heels wondering again why nobody takes them seriously.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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Yeh, they'll be a young team. I still fully expect 4 victories to start the season (Northern Illinois, @Bowling Green, Montana State, Florida Atlantic) They have no business losing any of those games (of course they shouldn't have last year either..  ). I also think they should be pretty competitive in all their B10 home games this season (Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan, Iowa). Winning one of the road games will be a challenge for them though (Ohio State, Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin). I still think bowl eligibility isn't unrealistic this season, though in this day in age that doesn't always equate to a great season. But yeah, things are looking better long term than short term. Sounds like Brewster's got some pretty highly rated kids already for '09 as well.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 25, 2006
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Wow, tacobite, I hadn't realized how favorable our schedule actually is. We get the hardest teams on the road, where we might have lost anyways if we played them at home. This really does make the most of the home schedule. Iowa is also a crappy team, only marginally better than us last year, and they certainly didn't get any better this off-season. Indiana will struggle without Lewis and Hardy. Northwestern was the only team last year that actually was worse than us. I know they beat us in 2OT on their homecoming, but watching that whole game I really think we would've won 7 out of 10 times. This year we'll win that one easily. I already talked about Michigan being uncharacteristically weak this year, although I certainly won't count them out. I totally agree that those first 4 non-conference games are a must win and an expected win....even after last year, a betting man would still call the gophers favorites in these 4 games.
We could be looking at bowl elligibility here, folks. Against my better judgement as a cautious Minnesota fan, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that we make a bowl game this year. Sure it'll be the Lysol Toilet Bowl, but I'm OK with that after last year. Importing talent like Sam Maresh, Bradon Green, Keenon Cooper, Spencer Reeves, and Jewhan Edwards should be enough to win those first 4 games even as freshman without any time to gel together.
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