Oct 1, 2011; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Jerry Kill walks on to the field prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-US PRESSWIRE
How would you like your first collegiate start to be against your biggest rival? Sounds good, right?
Well, how would you like to face a stadium and a fan base and a team that you have not beaten in more than several years.
The Star Tribune broke the news late Friday evening as the Gophers are starting Phillip Nelson Saturday at Wisconsin.
Jerry Kill burned two redshirts last week when he played Rodrick Williams Jr. and Lincoln Plsek on offense for multiple snaps. This week, he plans to burn the redshirt to the ‘quarterback of the future’ for Minnesota against its biggest rivals.
Nelson entered Minnesota as a 3-star quarterback, but was loved by multiple scouts. There were rumblings that the freshman could start next year for Kill as a redshirt-freshman and start all four years.
Well, that plan changed slightly. MarQueis Gray is battling back from multiple injuries and is questionable for the game on Saturday. Max Shortell, the backup to Gray, has been ineffective during his time as the starting this season.
The rocky offense needed a spark.
So, is this the right move?
After seeing Nelson in practice and on film, he is the real deal. I think he could allow Minnesota to move a step forward in the program.
Playing him Saturday is extremely risky. It burns his redshirt and sets him up for failure on his opening game. He has to face a tenacious defense and a college that hates maroon and gold.
Nelson was recruited hard by Wisconsin and lived some of his life in the Madison area. His father played for the Badgers and held the Axe over the Gophers.
Saturday’s game was already going to be extremely interesting. Minnesota is littered with injuries. Half of the wide receivers are questionable, making Gray an option at WR if he does play. The Gophers will also be without some of the offensive line. Safety Derrick Wells is also questionable for the game.
Prediction?
If Nelson indeed takes the field a little after 11 a.m. tomorrow morning, the Gophers will have a huge hill to climb. The ‘quarterback of the future’ can play well in Kill’s offense. He possesses the type of play that Chandler Harnish perfected at Northern Illinois for the coach.
Wisconsin a better team, but not by much. The Gophers need to stop Montee Ball, which is a huge question. Minnesota couldn’t stop Mark Weisman or Vernic Marks. Other than that, the Gophers can contend with the heated rivals.
If Nelson beats Wisconsin, he won’t just be the quarterback of the future. He’ll become the quarterback of the present.