RECE$$ION PROOF has really slowed down over the last couple weeks, which I'll blame on a few factors. Back-to-back losses to open B1G play, a bye week mixed in and an increased workload has scaled back my activity over the last week or so. Add in the MLB Playoffs, a trip to my hometown, an entertaining season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the return of Kenny Powers, and it all adds up to less blogging. For that, internet, I apologize.
However, I think the bye week came at the perfect time. My batteries are recharged. The last two setbacks and the events of the last week don't have me too discouraged about the state of our program as we search for at least two more wins and a bowl bid, if not more. And when you're a die-hard Golden Gopher fan, "not too discouraged" ain't so bad.
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| The bye week was helpful to regroup and enjoy things like big game hunting, tuxedoes and leisure. |
Along those lines, the bye week allows the coaches to refocus their duties going forward although, if I truly have a grasp of this coaching staff's methodology, little will actually change. The perception I've gotten of Kill's staff is that they are a finely tuned machine thanks to their approach to the game and their years of service together. (Or, basically, the exact opposite of Brewster's revolving door of personnel and philosophies.) Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys now carries the title of acting head coach. However, I would bet in terms of preparation and game planning, things stay pretty much the same. I don't want to make it seem like Kill is easily replaceable, because he isn't, but in his stead, the team is in incredibly capable hands.
Throughout Kill's battle with epilepsy, we've heard over and over that the coaches and kids are prepared to handle that situation, and the best way to do that is by keeping a level consistency and focus on the task at hand. The ability to cope with the head coach's absence will be put to the test over a longer period of time. Though they've been prepared to push on without Kill in the past, this time they'll have a chance - an extended chance thanks to the bye - to prepare in the exact manner they'll play. Plus, playing for their coach's honor as he tends to his health will hopefully give our squad added inspiration with some big games coming up.
Also, the bye week allows stability to take hold at quarterback. The team should enter Saturday's game at Northwestern's dump of a stadium (honestly, when we went there a few years ago I thought it might collapse at any minute) with the clearest picture of the quarterback situation since Western Michigan visited the Bank. The team entered that day with Philip Nelson entrenched as the unquestioned starter - but his injury that day and the emergence of Mitch "The Lamplighter" Leidner resulted in questions swirling around the position since.
I've been a steadfast Nelson supporter from the moment his redshirt was yanked a year ago, but we're here now because he played his way out of a job against Iowa and Leidner played his way in with his performances against San Jose State and Michigan. After Nelson's injury, it seemed fairly certain Leidner would start against SJSU, but it wasn't 100 percent that Nelson was out. Then, a week later, it looked like Leidner would continue at QB and Nelson instead returned. A week later, they flipped back to Leidner.
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| The Lamplighter appears ready to lead. |
I mentioned a few weeks ago that the two quarterbacks have some similarities, but enough differences where both skill sets can be utilized. I feel like if that was going to happen, we would've seen it against Iowa or Michigan. Plus, I thought Nelson had a distinct edge in two areas - throwing the football and command of the offense. Against Iowa, not only did he appear to struggle with both of those perceived strengths, but his indecisiveness was staggering. That makes me wonders if he was still injured and thinking more about his health than his progressions, but the quarterback we saw against Purdue and Texas Tech last season and even New Mexico State this season was not the same guy that was under center against Iowa.
So off we go with Kill on hiatus and Nelson on the bench. At the start of the season, I would've thought those two things would add to certain doom. Today ... after a well-timed bye ... I look to the future with hope, both for Kill's health, and our squad moving forward.
EXTRA POINTS
-Glad to see Maxx Williams back in top form against Michigan. Where the heck was he against Iowa?
-Damien Wilson continues to flash his ability, and it seems like he's played better as the opponents have improved. His emergence makes me wish I had bought a Marqueis Gray No. 5 jersey a year ago, so it could be a Wilson jersey today.
-Hopefully the bye week was good for the health of Donnell Kirkwood. As good as our backs have been this season, I need to see that bowling ball rolling downhill.
-Was anyone else as colossally depressed about The Lamplighter's under throw of Donovahn Jones on that go route up the sideline? I've been hoping to see something big from the talented freshman, and if that ball had been a couple yards further he could've caught it and walked into the end zone. Not only could that have been a big spark to get his receiving career kickstarted, but anytime he's on the field going forward, defenses would have to take notice of his speed and ability down field.
-Marcus Jones. Can a returner and a backup defensive back be a team's MVP?
-I hope everyone used Saturday's bye to regroup and get refreshed for the second half of the season. Big home games against Nebraska and Wisconsin loom, and both offer the opportunity for that "signature win" the program has been searching for. Help us class up The Bank as we try to outclass the opponents. Plus, red is a stupid color.
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