Gophers-Syracuse football series set
By KENT YOUNGBLOOD, Star Tribune
Last update: November 12, 2008 - 4:26 AM

The Gophers have officially filled the empty slot on their 2009 schedule by agreeing to a home-and-home series with Syracuse.

The result is a 2009 non-conference schedule that includes games against two teams from BCS conferences (California and Syracuse) plus a game against Air Force.

In the agreement the Gophers will play at Syracuse next year and the Orangemen will come here to play on Sept. 22, 2012.

''I think it's one of the best nonconference schedules we've had here in years,'' Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi said.

Syracuse is 2-7 this season but plays in the Big East Conference. California is 6-3. The Bears were ranked 21st in the country before suffering a 17-3 loss to Pac-10 powerhouse Southern Cal last Saturday.

The Gophers will open at Syracuse, then play Air Force and California at home before opening the 2009 Big Ten season at Northwestern. The fourth nonconference foe is South Dakota State.

This article appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Wednesday, November 12, 2008.

Nice little arrangement for the Orange, and if you ditch GRob at the end of the season you might actually have a chance at winning the game...

Does any body think Minn building outdoor stadium is good idea, games in Nov are going to be brutal

Nice way for Minn to start the season if they keep the ship going in a positive direction like they have this year.

Cuse - Minnesota win with GRob or not - too much collateral damage left behind the first season the new coach takes over if GRob is left go.

South Dakota St - a win.

Air Force - flip the coin they have righted the program like Minnesota this year.

Cal - a loss - Minn not quite the yet.

A 3 -1 or 2-2 start would put Minn in a good position to be bowl eligible right out of the gate in 2009. They have proven that they can pick up 5-6 wins in the B-10 under Brewster and have successful seasons at this point in time. Good luck Gophers and beat Michigan next time.

So that's three games against Big 11 teams next year. Why not just make it eight games?

panite Wrote:Cuse - Minnesota win with GRob or not - too much collateral damage left behind the first season the new coach takes over if GRob is left go.

Cuse only loses a few playmakers (small senior class)...should get back Mike Williams...Cuse can win the opener in the Dome.

templefootballfan Wrote:Does any body think Minn building outdoor stadium is good idea, games in Nov are going to be brutal

Isn't that what the home field advantage is supposed to be about. Make your opponent so uncomfortable their game plan is affected...