The last 2 seasons the first game of the year against Northwestern and Illinois were must win games if we were to achieve the season's objectives. Without winning against a bad Northwestern on a neutral field in Ireland or beating Bielema in his first game at Illinois the season tumbled out of control. Those were games on those schedules that we couldn't afford to give away. We should not have lost either.
I've got a different feeling about Minnesota this year. I'd like to beat them, I think we are capable of beating them, but I don't think it is a must win game. If we lose, there are still many different avenues to get to 6 wins and a bowl game. If we do lose to Minnesota I don't think the season is lost like I did with the Northwestern or Illinois games. The Northwestern and Illinois games were also such a mental let down as proof that we weren't a better a team and all the offseason hype was crap. Minnesota game doesn't seem to have the same expectations.
Oddly enough the season objective in season 4 and 5 of the Frost era aren't any different than season 1 of the Rhule era, just have a winning season and make a bowl game.
I've got a different feeling about Minnesota this year. I'd like to beat them, I think we are capable of beating them, but I don't think it is a must win game. If we lose, there are still many different avenues to get to 6 wins and a bowl game. If we do lose to Minnesota I don't think the season is lost like I did with the Northwestern or Illinois games. The Northwestern and Illinois games were also such a mental let down as proof that we weren't a better a team and all the offseason hype was crap. Minnesota game doesn't seem to have the same expectations.
Oddly enough the season objective in season 4 and 5 of the Frost era aren't any different than season 1 of the Rhule era, just have a winning season and make a bowl game.
