TCU 23, Minnesota 17

TCU knocked off the Gophers 23-17 at TCF Bank Stadium last night in the season opener for both teams.  You can call it a moral victory if you want, but I'm tired of moral victories.  Yeah, I know, they were within 6 points of the number 2 ranked team in the country and they held the highest scoring team in college football to their lowest points total since 2013, but damn I wanted a victory.  They've got some things to workout but I still think an 8-9 win season is within reach.

Observations: 

• The Gophers kept it close, the offense has to play better though.
• Turnovers kill.  You won't beat good teams like that. 
• I was hoping that Mitch Leidner's accuracy would be improved this season. 
• That Mitch Leidner fumble deep in Minnesota territory smelled like last year. 
• That Rodrick Williams fumble inside the 5 yard line was a killer.  
• Not having Josh Campion available really hurt. 
• True freshman Julian Huff played well as a rush DE.  
• The Gophers will need some playmakers to step up this season. 
• Rodney Smith did show some potential at RB for the Gophers. 
• TCU won the battle of the trenches on both sides of the ball. 
• Rashad Still looks like he could be a player when all is said and done.
• David Cobb & Maxx Williams were sorely missed. 
• The Gophers special teams played well once again.  
• I wish the Gophers had a QB like Trevone Boykin.  
• Ace Rogers & Cody Poock had nice first games on the defensive side.
• I love the dramatic Gopher, err Chipmunk!  A rodent is a rodent! 
• TCU averaged 46.5 points per game last year.  
• It was obviously an early season game for the officials too. 
• Too bad the record crowd didn't have more to cheer about. 
• Up next?  @ Colorado State next Saturday.