Darius Taylor U 15.5 Rush Att [Minnesota] 👨‍🍳 w/ @RizzyProps 〽️ Bumps playable to 14.5 MN’s RB1 is poised to return this week for the Gophers, but the matchup is horrific. He has missed multiple weeks this season with this hamstring/calf issue, and the last time he played (vs Iowa), he immediately reaggrevated the injury, getting just 1 carry. Throughout the season, Freshman Ijeboi has only climbed up the RB depth chart for Minnesota, and at this point is the more solid pure runner than Taylor is, although the latter is clearly the best 3rd down / pass blocking back on the roster. Taylor will rest early in a blowout, even if he is not limited. Fleck sat Taylor early in a similar script vs Ohio State, where he ran just 8 times (compared to Ijeboi’s 13 attempts). Weather has led to many Oregon opponents favoring the run, as seen vs NW and Iowa - but Minnesota’s pass game is largely an extension of their run game, and they throw primarily short routes due to poor OL blocking. In losses this year, just once have the Gophers handed RB1 16+ carries, when Davis and Ijeboi had 15 / 16 RA vs Cal. Taylor will surely not be in for garbage time carries as the coaching staff hopes to keep him healthy for the next two games, which will decide whether MN is a 6, 7, or 8 win team. Regardless of script, it’s unlikely Darius will be a successful runner tonight. The Ducks run defense ranks 19th in yds/carry, just behind Iowa and Ohio State, where no Minnesota RB ran more than 13 times or for more than 52 yards.