The Minnesota Gophers have now won convincingly in the first 2 games of the season to start 2-0 while outscoring their opponents 100-10, so far! It is a very nice feeling to finally be able to cheer for a Gopher Football team that just beats the inferior opponents like we know they should. The Leathernecks really stood no chance in this one. In fact, the Gophers scored 62 points (first time we have scored 60+ points in a game since 2006) and they racked up a total of 679 yards (most since 2004). The Gophers offense was able to win with a very balanced attack finishing with 372 passing yards and 307 rushing yards. The first string defense was also dominant again, they only allowed 3 points in this matchup (the Leathernecks scored their TD late in the 4th Quarter against our 3rd string defense) and the Gophers are currently allowing the least yards per game in the Nation through the first 2 weeks. In fact, the Gophers come into Week 3 leading the nation in BOTH total offense (582 yards per game) and total defense (allowing 142.5 yards per game).
The Gophers winning and improving to 2-0 wasn't the only highlight of the college football weekend. There were a number of CRAZY upsets this weekend! Let's take a look at a few of them:
Washington State defeated #19 Wiscansin 17-14 in Madison
Iowa State defeated Iowa 10-7 at Iowa
Georgia Southern defeated Nebraska 45-42 at Nebraska (Scott Frost was fired the next day)
Appalachian State defeated #6 Texas A&M 17-14 in College Station
Marshall defeated #8 Notre Dame 26-21 at Notre Dame... WOW!
What a wild weekend of college football games, especially this early in the year!!
This weekend the Gophers will host PAC-12 opponent Colorado Buffaloes. As you may recall, the Gophers defeated Colorado, in Colorado, last season 30-0. The game really could have been 40-0 due to a few missed extra points and field goals by the Gophers' special teams. I really don't think this is going to be a much different outcome. The offensive coordinator for Colorado is Mike Sanford Jr. He was the Gophers Offensive Coordinator during the 2020 and 2021 seasons where the offense had a pathetic passing game due to his idiotic game plans. Colorado is already 0-2 this season and coming off a loss to Air Force Academy 41-10. Colorado only recorded 162 TOTAL yards in the game and Air Force was able to rush for an insane 435 yards! This is Minnesota's bread and butter. The Gophers are going to control this game on the ground with their dominant duo RB's of Ibrahim and Potts while Morgan and the WR's continue to build confidence from the first 2 weeks in the passing game. The Minnesota defense is also going to continue to dominate. If Air Force was able to hold Colorado to 162 total yards, Colorado has no chance against the Gophers at the Bank. Currently, the Gophers are listed as 27.5 point favorites. I predict the Gophers to win 45-10, but wouldn't be surprised if the final is an even larger margin. The Gophers are a much better team than Air Force and I think the Gophers are going to want some revenge towards Mike Sanford Jr. Should be a fun one to follow on Saturday.
Here are the Big Ten games I am looking forward to following this weekend:
Colorado @ Minnesota (Minn -27.5) - Minnesota won in Colorado 30-0 last season.
#6 Oklahoma @ Nebraska (OU -11) - These 2 played in OU last season and OU intercepted Neb on the final drive, at the goal line to secure a 23-16 victory. OU should win big this year.
Purdue @ Syracuse (Syr -1.5) - I am just surprised that Purdue isn't favored in this one.
Penn State @ Auburn (PSU -2.5) - Should be a fun Big Ten/SEC matchup!
Nevada @ Iowa (Iowa -23) - I find this line interesting considering Iowa has only scored 14 total points in the first 2 games...
New Mexico State @ Wiscansin (-37.5) - Minnesota had the same line first game of the season hosting NMSU and won 38-0. Interested to see how Wiscansin does vs the same team.
#11 Michigan State @ Washington (Wash -3.5) - I can't be the only one surprised that Wash is favored here. The Gophers travel to Michigan State next week, so I will definitely be following this game on Saturday evening!!
Thanks for reading and continuing to support Birdman's Blog. I am ready for another fun weekend of College Football and another Gophers victory! Go Gophers!
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