Weekend could have big impact for many on Gophers and Vikings

JIM SOUHAN @Souhanstrib

When it comes to football and emotion, Minnesota is a swing state.

And this is a swing weekend, as the Gophers play their biggest game this century and the Vikings play in prime time against America’s (Most Profitable) Team.

Neither game is do-or-die; both are do-or-doubt. These are the kinds of games that can make or mar reputations, especially at maximum-scrutiny positions.

In one of the most important football weekends in memory, here is what Gophers-Penn State and Vikings-Cowboys mean for the coaches and quarterbacks who will be judged and re-judged:

Upside: His record in prime-time matchups against winning teams is well-known. It’s 0-987. That might seem wrong, but…