Minnesota Preview (Game Three)

[catdaddyp]

QB:

Junior Jake Lindsey has thrown for 543 yards with a 69% completion rate and no interceptions. Surprisingly, he’s only thrown for a single touchdown over a two-game span. Lindsey isn’t much of a threat to run and rarely has to when playing behind Minnesota’s massive offensive line.

 

RB:

Senior Darius Taylor hasn’t had a ton of opportunities thus far, but he’s still a bigger back that can do some damage. Taylor has 71 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns to go along with 36 receiving yards.

 

WR:

Former Miami of Ohio transfer Javon Tracy leads the team in receptions and yards, collecting 12 catches for 149 yards. He is also the punt returner and has taken two back for touchdowns. Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings is second on the team with 10 receptions for 145 yards.  

 

TE:

The Gophers don’t target their tight ends much in the passing game but senior Pierce Walsh does have four receptions.

 

OL:

The offensive line rarely allows pressure on the quarterback and has given up only two sacks this season, both against Mississippi State.

LT - Nathan Roy (6’5 305)

LG - Greg Johnson (6’6 325)

C - Ashton Beers (6’6 320)

RG - Tony Nelson (6’6 325)

RT - Daniel Shipp (6’5 295)

 

DL:

The Gopher pass rush has been about as anemic as the Zips’, however, that doesn’t mean Minnesota is lacking in talent. Senior Anthony Smith plays both inside and out.  Former Cal transfer TJ Bush has one of the defense’s two sacks. Against MSU, junior Jaylon Hicks started on the interior, as did senior Karter Menz on the edge.

 

LB:

Seniors Maverick Baranowski and Matt Kingsbury start at linebacker. The duo have combined for 22 total tackles.

 

DB:

Michigan State transfer Aydan West and former Iowa transfer John Nestor start at the cornerback positions. Seniors Kerry Brown and Aidan Gousby, along with sophomore Zack Harden, are the starters at safety and nickel. 

 

ST:

Tom Weston is the main punter and averages 38.3 yards per punt with a long of 45. Minnesota has used two different kickers on field goals, and they have gone 3 for 3. Beckham Sunderland has put 11 of his 13 kickoffs in the endzone.

 

Keys on Offense:

Find a way to keep drives moving and take care of the football. MSU’s mobile quarterback really hurt the Minnesota defense, and it would not be a surprise if CB came out of this game as Akron’s leading rusher. I’m not sure if the Zips OL will be able to consistently get push on the Gophers defensive front, so CB’s legs may have to make up for that.

 

Keys on Defense:

Force turnovers and keep the ball in front. Stopping Minnesota’s run game should be the main priority as I’m not sure the Zips defense will be able to get much pressure on Lindsey. In essence, force the Gophers into long, multi-play drives in the hopes they goof up. 

 

Final Thoughts:

I don’t like this matchup, and there aren’t many areas where the Zips will have the advantage. As a comparison, Minnesota is bigger and more physical than Wake Forest. Akron will need to play at a very high level and have some help from Minnesota to pull out a win.

 

[catdaddyp]

 

[ZippyRulz]

Big Ten Network - no single game streaming option. Uff da..

 

Edited 21 hours ago by ZippyRulz

[Blue & Gold]

1 hour ago, ZippyRulz said:

Big Ten Network - no single game streaming option. Uff da..

 

I think you've got to download the FOX One app. The 'view' link on GoZips.com takes you there. Looks like there's a free 3-day trial period, so I'm going to wait till Friday to fool w/ it.

[Zips1991]

27 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I think you've got to download the FOX One app. The 'view' link on GoZips.com takes you there. Looks like there's a free 3-day trial period, so I'm going to wait till Friday to fool w/ it.

I have YouTube TV and it's listed on the secondary Big Ten Network channel. The main channel has Buffalo at Penn State.

[blueandgold]

17 hours ago, catdaddyp said:

QB:

Junior Jake Lindsey has thrown for 543 yards with a 69% completion rate and no interceptions. Surprisingly, he’s only thrown for a single touchdown over a two-game span. Lindsey isn’t much of a threat to run and rarely has to when playing behind Minnesota’s massive offensive line.

 

RB:

Senior Darius Taylor hasn’t had a ton of opportunities thus far, but he’s still a bigger back that can do some damage. Taylor has 71 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns to go along with 36 receiving yards.

 

WR:

Former Miami of Ohio transfer Javon Tracy leads the team in receptions and yards, collecting 12 catches for 149 yards. He is also the punt returner and has taken two back for touchdowns. Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings is second on the team with 10 receptions for 145 yards.  

 

TE:

The Gophers don’t target their tight ends much in the passing game but senior Pierce Walsh does have four receptions.

 

OL:

The offensive line rarely allows pressure on the quarterback and has given up only two sacks this season, both against Mississippi State.

LT - Nathan Roy (6’5 305)

LG - Greg Johnson (6’6 325)

C - Ashton Beers (6’6 320)

RG - Tony Nelson (6’6 325)

RT - Daniel Shipp (6’5 295)

 

DL:

The Gopher pass rush has been about as anemic as the Zips’, however, that doesn’t mean Minnesota is lacking in talent. Senior Anthony Smith plays both inside and out.  Former Cal transfer TJ Bush has one of the defense’s two sacks. Against MSU, junior Jaylon Hicks started on the interior, as did senior Karter Menz on the edge.

 

LB:

Seniors Maverick Baranowski and Matt Kingsbury start at linebacker. The duo have combined for 22 total tackles.

 

DB:

Michigan State transfer Aydan West and former Iowa transfer John Nestor start at the cornerback positions. Seniors Kerry Brown and Aidan Gousby, along with sophomore Zack Harden, are the starters at safety and nickel. 

 

ST:

Tom Weston is the main punter and averages 38.3 yards per punt with a long of 45. Minnesota has used two different kickers on field goals, and they have gone 3 for 3. Beckham Sunderland has put 11 of his 13 kickoffs in the endzone.

 

Keys on Offense:

Find a way to keep drives moving and take care of the football. MSU’s mobile quarterback really hurt the Minnesota defense, and it would not be a surprise if CB came out of this game as Akron’s leading rusher. I’m not sure if the Zips OL will be able to consistently get push on the Gophers defensive front, so CB’s legs may have to make up for that.

 

Keys on Defense:

Force turnovers and keep the ball in front. Stopping Minnesota’s run game should be the main priority as I’m not sure the Zips defense will be able to get much pressure on Lindsey. In essence, force the Gophers into long, multi-play drives in the hopes they goof up. 

 

Final Thoughts:

I don’t like this matchup, and there aren’t many areas where the Zips will have the advantage. As a comparison, Minnesota is bigger and more physical than Wake Forest. Akron will need to play at a very high level and have some help from Minnesota to pull out a win.

 

So you're saying, don't expect the defense to get any sacks this week. 

[akzipper]

2 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

I have YouTube TV and it's listed on the secondary Big Ten Network channel. The main channel has Buffalo at Penn State.

 

Same. BTN Overflow at noon.