Minnesota

[Duke1632]

With so many higher profile games being blowouts, I got a good look at the Nebraska @ Minnesota game this weekend, which turned out to be very entertaining. With the exception of Abdullah, all of Nebraska's weapons were quietly neutralized by Minnesota and for being billed as a 1-dimensional offense, and without head coach, their offense was surprisingly innovative and effective. This looks like a very underrated team to me--something like Wisconsin's younger brother with an occasionally unstoppable run game that can pass when needed and a mean defense (that Hageman guy is a beast and looks like he would start anywhere in the country). Some might point to the recurring problems at Nebraska, particularly their suspect defense, but it did not really seam that way to me. Minnesota executed quite well, and in a manner that one thought might be successful against most other teams. Both teams here played with very few penalties (something I like seeing), but Nebraska did have the two turnovers.

So with recent wins over Northwestern and now Nebraska, and with no more surprises with their head coach situation, would anyone else go so far as to say this Minnesota team has turned a corner and will surprise some teams for the rest of the year? Also, does anyone have input as to how the game went in their two losses to Michigan and Iowa?

[Spence]

Minnesota is better. They don't quite have the talent to go very far, but yeah, they have been a pleasent surprise.