Just asking.
One week after preparing for a Syracuse team that had a new coach, new offensive scheme and a quarterback who hadn't played in years, the Gophers get another unique matchup: Air Force's potent triple-option running game.
It is a good scheme to use when your linemen are quick, but undersized. Air Force dropped 72 points on Nicholls State last week. And while Nicholls State isn't exactly the most dangerous team around, 72 points is 72 points. So is that shutout the Falcons' 3-4 defense pitched.
Both the Gophers offense and defense will have to prepare for the rare this week. Not many teams use the triple option running game. And not many teams use a base 3-4 defense. The oddity factor is probably good for a few problems this week no matter how the Gophers prepare.
Brewster talked at length today about what it takes to slow the Air Force attack. In his opinion the biggest threats are the fullback up the middle or the quarterback keeper. The biggest key is playing position football with discipline. My co-worker Myron Medcalf will get into this issue in more length later this week.
On offense, a line that had some ups and downs in Syracuse will have to adjust as well.
Meanwhile, as is the case whenever the Gophers win, there are a number of weekly winners to declare. So:
--Offensive player of the week: WR Eric Decker
