Gophers Need To Make Badgers A Passing Team
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's the kind of week Gopher fans have waited for: A big game that has Big Ten, national implications and, oh yeah, the opponent happens to be Wisconsin.
It's the battle of the running backs – sort of.
When you run for 408 yards in one game, you get people's' attention. The game plan for stopping the Badgers' Melvin Gordon: don't overreact.
"We got a lot of blockers in front of him, so … it's how well you tackle (will) determine how well you play," Badgers head coach Tracy Claeys said.
But it's a simple truth. If Gordon gets his, it will be difficult for the Gophers, meaning they have to make the Badgers a passing team.
"Big back, super explosive," Gophers cornerback Brien Boddy Calhoun said. "Control him, and I think we'll be in good shape."
The Gophers offer their own featured running back by the name of David Cobb, who is questionable with a hamstring injury.
The question for the Gophers is: If Cobb's not ready, will the offense be productive?
Enter Donnell Kirkwood, a former starter who has played sparingly, which means he might have fresh legs.
"You have to catch up with the speed a little bit, because you're playing on special teams. It's definitely not the same speed, but … once you get the rhythm in the game, it's hard to lose it," Underwood said.
Also, there is still hope Cobb's recovery is complete enough that he plays. On Twitter, he says he will. It's questionable, but don't count him out.
"If he's ready to go, we're going to play him. There's no doubt about that," Gophers head coach Jerry Kill said. "I'd rather have him feeling that way than not."
