Grades | Minnesota Golden Gophers 31, Texas Tech Red Raiders 34

So this was the most 2012 Texas Tech game ever? Right? Bad defense. Just enough offense. Mistakes on offense. A crap load of penalties. Three seniors made plays of the game.

This was just the right amount of Texas Tech game and it was all I really ever thought the game would be. When asked by The Daily Gopher what I thought the score would be like, I thought Texas Tech would win by 6, the game would be in the 30's for both teams and Texas Tech would win, but the 13 point spread was too much. This Texas Tech team has a lot of flaws and I thought this Minnesota game was going to be exactly like the Kansas game on some level. Texas Tech wouldn't be able to keep Minnesota and their strong running game off the field, but Texas Tech would get enough stops to win. That's essentially what happened.

I don't think this win "means" anything other than it puts that extra spring in my step. Any win is better than a loss, even if your uber-talented tight ends decides to punch a player, so I'll take it with me into the offseason and I think it's much easier for new head coach Kliff Kingsbury so sell an eight win team rather than a seven win team. Sure, it's just a game, but it's a game.

Game Thread III | Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

Let's do this

Game Thread II | Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

Let's do this.

Game Thread I | Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Let's do this.

Prediction Time | Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Get your prediction on.

Game Day Links | Minnesota vs. Texas Tech

All of your game-day links as Texas Tech is set to face Minnesota in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Blogger Q&A | The Daily Gopher

The good folks at The Daily Gopher answered questions about the Minnesota Golden Gophers in anticipation of the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Emptying the Notebook | Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Final thoughts as the football season comes to a close.

Douglas, Mackey and Payne Suspended for Meineke Car Care Bowl Game

CB Cornelius Douglas, DT Leon Mackey and LB Chris Payne have been suspended for the Meineke Car Care Bowl game.

Point of Attack | Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

How the Texas Tech Red Raiders can attack the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Stats That Matter | Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

A quick look at some important statistics for the Meineke Car Care Bowl between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Game Preview | Minnesota Gold Gophers vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Game time and television information for Minnesota vs. Texas Tech.