Minnesota 40, Illinois 17

The Gophers knocked off Illinois 40-17 today in Illinois.  The Gophers quietly improve to 6-2 on the season with this win.  Minnesota is now also bowl eligible.  It's scary how close they are to being 8-0 too.  The Illini kept it close for awhile but Minnesota did a nice job of pulling away down the stretch. It was so nice to see them play with a killer instinct for a change.  They've still got some tests ahead of them, it'll be interesting to see how things play out for them.

Observations:

• Minnesota's offense is becoming very one dimensional. 
• Great read on that Mitch Leidner touchdown run.
• Just loving this Minnesota RB duo.  Kobe McCrary is not bad either. 
• Minnesota's pass protection is just not where it needs to be. 
• The Gophers always play better when Kiante Hardin is on the field. 
• Mitch Leidner sure looks big and lumbering out there. 
• The lack of a pass catching TE has hurt the Gophers this year. 
• Jonathan Celestin continues to impress at LB for Minnesota. 
• The Ekpe brothers were wreaking havoc today. 
• Turnovers:  Illinois 3, Minnesota 0
• The wind was definitely impacting the game today. 
• I really like the way Colton Beebe plays football. 
• Have I mentioned that Minnesota needs some playmakers at WR? 
• The targeting monster hits the Gophers once again. 
• Turnovers did the Illini no favors today. 
• That was a big loss for Illinois when Malik Turner was carted off the field. 
• It's hard to believe that Jeff George has a son old enough to be playing college football.
• Illinois DE Dawuane Smoot is pretty good. 
• I kind of liked those Illinois Gray Ghost uniforms. 
• Up next?  Purdue next Saturday in Minneapolis.