Five Things Minnesota Must Do To Beat Missouri

Minnesota's New Year's Day clash against Missouri in the Citrus Bowl will boil down to five key factors.  The Gophers can win their first bowl game since 2005 by accomplishing the following:


  • Pass the Football Effectively.  Gopher sophomore QB Mitch Leidner must have a very good day throwing the football.  By his standards, I would say hitting 15 of 22 throws in the 200-yard range.  The BIG's worst passing offense can't win without some balance to offset the run game. Key to this will be Maxx Williams getting open and grabbing the tosses that sometimes seem out of reach from Leidner. Slants over the middle could be promising as well as Mizzou's pass rush will likely get to the quarterback quickly. Minnesota wideouts must also be a factor in this game. The passing game has to be effective when we are tied or leading as the Gophers are not equipped to pass when trailing (see Wisconsin). Oh and Leidner CANNOT turn the ball over!

  • Execute the Trick Play.  I have seen only really one try this year.  That was KJ Maye taking a Jet Sweep with the PASS option.  Unfortunately, it was against a lightning-quick Ohio State Defense that dropped him before he even got the pass off.  Yes, the receiver was wide open. We will need at least one of these to beat the Tigers and lift us above 28 points.

  • Get Great Balance out of Read Option.  This is the second time I mention Leidner.  Geez, he must be the key! Yep. He must be razor sharp, setting up the read option, carrying at least 12 times for more than 70 yards.  To get Minnesota's David Cobb rolling, the threat of Leidner bursting for yardage is critical. Cobb will need 150 yards-plus to help the Gophers stay on the field in a ball-control, Minnesota-type ground game to win! I expect Cobb to get 25 carries-plus.

  • Play Man To Man Defense in Secondary. TIGHTLY.  Tiger QB Matty Mauk is a good thrower and Mizzou sports some athletic, big receivers.  To shutdown the Tiger run game, the Gophers will stack the box like they did at Wisconsin.  However, we cant stay loose in coverage and KEEP OUR BACKS TURNED TO THE QUARTERBACK like we have had a tendency to do all season.  Our secondary is very fast.  And athletic.  They must be able to go up for the bat-down or pickoff when the ball arrives.  Minnesota will need at least two interceptions on the day to win it. Gopher all BIG corner Brian Boddy-Calhoun might be our key here.

  • Win the Special Teams Battle.  Well, this is a no-brainer but critical.  Minnesota all-BIG punter Peter Mortell is a key wildcard who can help set the field position chess match in the Gopher's favor. Pinning the Tigers instead the 10-yard line can do wonders for the Gopher defense.  Kicker Ryan Santuso can kick long, he just has to be ACCURATE in this game, netting field goals whenever the Gophers stall inside the Mizzou 30-yard line.  That means connecting on everything inside 47 yards. Minnesota's kick and punt coverage have not allowed a TD all season.  That needs to continue. Cashing in on a blocked Missouri punt or field goal attempt would put Minnesota in a position to win.

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