LINCOLN, NEB. – The stakes are huge for the Gophers, and the environment will be extremely tough.
Nebraska's fans made a big impression on Jerry Kill two years ago. He noted how Memorial Stadium looked at least three-quarters full – during warm-ups. And it'll be a sea of red for kickoff, with 340 consecutive sellouts here, and counting.
It's Senior Day, just like it was for the Gophers visit in 2012. But that day, Nebraska was also honoring Tom Osborne for his last home game as A.D. The Huskers has Osborne lead the team out of the tunnel, and Kill said he knew his team was in trouble right there.
It was 24-0 at halftime, and 38-0 before MarQueis Gray ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final 38-14.
But last year, the Gophers defeated Nebraska for the first time since 1960, a 34-23 triumph at TCF Bank Stadium. I caught up with Drew Goodger this week, reflecting on his unlikely role as hero in that win for Minnesota.
If the atmosphere doesn't get to the Gophers today, I think they've got a good shot to win. Weather.com says it will be 41 degrees at kickoff, and 52 by game's end. That should feel downright balmy to the Gophers.
Here's a look at the challenge awaiting Minnesota. Here's my prediction.
And don't miss this column by Chip Scoggins, who went into the film room to study all 254 of David Cobb's runs. He tracked how many yards Cobb has after contact, and it's not a small number.
