3 keys to a Gopher win over the Rams and how to watch Saturday’s game

Week 2 of the season and the Gophers are hosting an FCS opponent to hopefully get right.

How to Watch

TV: Peacock
Time: 11:00
Stream: Peacock app

The Rams scored a game-winning touchdown with just 19 seconds left to secure their week 1 win over Holy Cross.

3 KEYS

• Change your best – No more stupid and timely mistakes. They’ve had 10 days to work things out and they need to play a much cleaner game.
• Win the line of scrimmage – Both lines need to be a force.
• Dominate third down – Defensively, get off the field. Get some confidence that they can make 3rd down stops.

OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH

• #7 QB – Devin Farrell – The Ram’s new quarterback led the team in passing and rushing last week. This is the guy who the defense needs to limit. Worth noting that Farrell also had 4 fumbles last week, 3 were recovered by the offense.
• #8 LB – AJ Pena – Highest returning tackler from a season ago. Pena was third team All-CAA last year with 15.5 TFLs and 9 sacks.

PREDICTION

This is the “get right” game for the Gophers. Time to start working out the kinks, eliminate some of the mental errors and flex your Big Ten muscles over the FCS opponent.

With that said, PJ Fleck has a well-chronicled history of going vanilla in these games and making them much closer than they need to be. So be prepared to do a little sweating. Brosmer faced the Rams a year ago and threw for over 300 yards in an overtime loss. Don’t expect the loss or many passing yards.

Minnesota – 33
Rhode Island – 12