The University of Minnesota football team is bowl eligible, but the Gophers aren't content with just six wins. They travel to Bloomington, Ind., this weekend to face a Hoosiers team that is 1-2 in Big Ten play and is coming off a bye week. Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill will travel but will watch from the press box as he continues to take time away from the team to focus on treatment for his epilepsy. Here are five things to watch as Kill's Gophers take on the Hoosiers.
1. Can the Gophers slow down Indiana's offense?
The Hoosiers are among the highest-scoring teams in the Big Ten -- and the nation -- as they average 42.4 points per game. Indiana 514.0 yards per game are second in the conference behind Ohio State, while the 342.7 passing yards per game for the Hoosiers is easily the most in the Big Ten and ranks 10th among FBS schools. The Gophers have not yet faced an offense of this caliber, but the most similar Minnesota has seen was San Jose State. The key in that game for the Gophers was chewing up the clock and keeping the Spartans' offense -- and quarterback David Fales -- on the sideline for a good portion of the game. Indiana has a quick-strike offense, meaning the Hoosiers don't necessarily need to win the time of possession battle to win the game; that's evident in the fact that Indiana is dead last in the Big Ten in average time of possession (24:34). The longer Indiana's high-octane offense is on the sideline, the better chance Minnesota has to win.
2. Will Minnesota once again use both quarterbacks?
The Gophers haven't yet named a starter for Saturday's game, listing sophomore Philip Nelson or redshirt freshman Mitch Leidner as the starter on the latest depth chart. Offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover wouldn't tip his hand Wednesday when asked about the quarterback situation. Leidner started each of the last two games but eventually gave way to Nelson, who put up much better numbers than Leidner. Nelson had perhaps his best game of his young career this past Saturday when he threw for a career-high 152 yards and a touchdown on 7-of-15 passing, along with 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. His numbers would have been even better if not for a few drops by his receivers. While Nelson looks to be the more confident quarterback at this point in the season, Minnesota still may use both quarterbacks at some point during Saturday's game.
3. Seven wins?
A few weeks ago, six wins seemed like a stretch for the Gophers after starting 0-2 with two one-sided losses to open Big Ten play. Now after impressive victories against Northwestern on the road and at home against No. 24 Nebraska, Minnesota is not only bowl eligible with six wins but also has a chance at winning a few more in four regular-season games. One of those chances could take place Saturday in Bloomington, where the Gophers haven't won since 2005. Minnesota enters this weekend's matchup with plenty of momentum, while the Hoosiers are coming off a bye week that followed back-to-back road losses to Michigan State and Michigan. After Saturday's win, Minnesota's players had the attitude that they now expect to win six games every year. They also talked about reassessing their goals now that they're bowl eligible. For the Gophers, a win against Indiana would mean a seven-win season for the first time since 2008.
4. David Cobb and the quest for 1,000 yards
Gophers running back David Cobb began the year third on the depth chart but now leads Minnesota with 615 rushing yards. With four games remaining, he has a chance to finish the year as the Gophers' first 1,000-yard rusher since 2006. Cobb has put together back-to-back games of 100 yards or more in Minnesota's wins against Northwestern and Nebraska. The Gophers are now 3-0 when Cobb tops 100 yards rushing, as he also did so in the win against San Jose State. Cobb is once again listed as the starting halfback and should have a good chance to rack up yardage on Saturday. Indiana has the worst rushing defense in the Big Ten, surrendering an average of 221.0 rushing yards per game. Michigan ran for 248 yards two weeks ago against the Hoosiers, including 151 yards for Fitzgerald Toussaint. One week earlier, Michigan State gained 238 rushing yards against the porous Indiana defense. The Gophers have one of the better rushing attacks in the Big Ten, and Cobb has emerged as Minnesota's go-to back. He could be in for a big day Saturday.
5. Can Ra'Shede Hageman follow up his strong performance?
Hageman, the Gophers' senior defensive tackle, entered the year as the focal point of Minnesota's defense. A future NFL draft pick, Hageman has seen his share of double-teams this season. While frustrating at times for the 6-foot-6, 311-pound Minneapolis native, Hageman has still caused havoc for opposing offenses. That was certainly the case against Nebraska as he registered his second sack of the year -- his first since the third game of the season -- and added two tackles for loss. Hageman nearly had a second sack but was whistled for a facemask penalty that negated the play. He also made an impressive tackle on a screen pass to Huskers running back Ameer Abdullah, a sign that Hageman can disrupt offenses without sacking the quarterback. Given Indiana's quick-strike offense, it might be tough for Hageman to get to the Hoosiers' quarterbacks, whether it be Nate Sudfeld or Tre Roberson. But if the dominating senior tackle can get his big mitts into the passing lanes, he could knock down a few passes -- something he's already done six times this year.
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