The pressure is off for Minnesota, which become bowl eligible with a big win over Nebraska last week but now they are playing for a quality bowl. Freshmen and sophomores make up the majority of the Gophers roster, and the youth has accounted for much of the teams production this season.

Underclassmen have produced 2,009 yards of total offense, compared to 729 by the upperclassmen
This means they are improving as the year goes along, which has been the case. he Gophers have relied on their legs during their 6-2 start.

Minnesota is No. 23 in the nation in rushing offense, hav- ing run the ball 368 times for 1,742 yards (average 217.8 yards per game, 4.73 yards per carry). Minnesota has four players (David Cobb, Mitch Leidner, Philip Nelson and Rodrick Williams) who have tallied at least one 100-yard game this year. The last time the Gophers had four players rush for 100-yard games in one season was 1967 (Jim Carter, Mo Forte, John Wintermute and Curtis Wilson)

This will keep the high powered Indiana offense on the sidelines.