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Expect A Lot Of RB David Cobb In Minnesota's Game Against Michigan

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Golden Gophers could very well be without quarterback Mitch Leidner and tight end Maxx Williams again this week, so look for the game plan against Michigan to look a lot like it did against San Jose State: a lot of running back David Cobb.

It was a simple game plan Saturday: Cobb right. Cobb left. And it was effective.

"They always say, 'you got a horse, you ride it,'" head coach Jerry Kill said. "He's been doing well, you know, and a lot of that has to do with the game and what dictates the game and so forth."

What Cobb likes is to get the ball and keep getting it. Like the old theory, he gets better with more opportunities.

"It's always good for a running back and … any skilled position. [You] can kind of see the flow of the game, see reads or blocks, and kind of pick up on defensive tendencies – and you kind of get in the zone," Cobb said.

The scheme worked against San Jose, but this week it's Michigan – in the Big House.

"It'll come down to who makes plays and who will turn the ball over and who won't," Cobb said. "We'll be physical up front, but the biggest thing will be turnovers and special teams."

And for probable starting quarterback Chris Streveler, having Cobb in the backfield only makes things more comfortable.

"It's always good to have David Cobb in the backfield and it's a little bit of a sense of security back there," Streveler said. "If you're handing the ball off to him, he can break one and make a drive pretty easy for you."

Despite the Wolverines' struggles this year, they're still 10.5 point favorites over the Gophers because of history. The Gophers haven't beat Michigan since 2005. Before that, the last win came in 1986.

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