BleedGopher
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per Atherton:
P.J. Fleck's tenure at the U is in its infancy, but it's not too soon for Gophers fans to be asking what they've got in Fleck, whose squad has been less-than-memorable en route to a bad record in a very mediocre Big 10.
In terms of "signature wins," the best the Gophers can claim this year is their home trouncing of a Nebraska team that might well be the worst Cornhuskers squad in 50 years. As for bad losses, the home defeat to Maryland in the Big 10 opener now looks even worse than it did seven weeks ago. The Terps are dreadful, with their only other conference win coming against perennial doormat Indiana.
The Gophers were competitive against Iowa, but never really threatened to bring home the bronze pig. They put a late scare into Michigan State but couldn't close the deal, and Minnesota didn't show up in road losses to Michigan and Purdue.
And there's no way to sugarcoat Saturday's blowout loss at Northwestern. That was as bad a performance as we've seen from a Gophers team in a long, long time.
The problem for Fleck — and any other coach in the Big 10 West — is that in any given year there are few opportunities for a team to distinguish itself. Minnesota needs more fans in the stands at TCF Bank Stadium, but home wins over Illinois, Middle Tennessee and Buffalo won't sell season tickets for next year.
That's why Saturday's game against Wisconsin is so huge for Fleck. With 11 games under his belt, it's time for him and his players to give Gophers fans at least a dash of hope for next year. A great coach will get his players to rise up, to play above their physical abilities at home against a superior team that aspires to win a national championship.
I'm not saying that Minnesota should reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe, but playing at home on Senior Day, the Gophers must compete. They can't get run over the way they did against Michigan and Northwestern.
This is Minnesota's bowl game. The stadium should be full or nearly so (with Wisconsin fans filling most seats), and this is Fleck's last chance to impress recruits who are getting offers from schools like Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Michigan State.
http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/...cle_984f5a68-15f0-5865-af67-78cba86fc777.html
Go Gophers!!
P.J. Fleck's tenure at the U is in its infancy, but it's not too soon for Gophers fans to be asking what they've got in Fleck, whose squad has been less-than-memorable en route to a bad record in a very mediocre Big 10.
In terms of "signature wins," the best the Gophers can claim this year is their home trouncing of a Nebraska team that might well be the worst Cornhuskers squad in 50 years. As for bad losses, the home defeat to Maryland in the Big 10 opener now looks even worse than it did seven weeks ago. The Terps are dreadful, with their only other conference win coming against perennial doormat Indiana.
The Gophers were competitive against Iowa, but never really threatened to bring home the bronze pig. They put a late scare into Michigan State but couldn't close the deal, and Minnesota didn't show up in road losses to Michigan and Purdue.
And there's no way to sugarcoat Saturday's blowout loss at Northwestern. That was as bad a performance as we've seen from a Gophers team in a long, long time.
The problem for Fleck — and any other coach in the Big 10 West — is that in any given year there are few opportunities for a team to distinguish itself. Minnesota needs more fans in the stands at TCF Bank Stadium, but home wins over Illinois, Middle Tennessee and Buffalo won't sell season tickets for next year.
That's why Saturday's game against Wisconsin is so huge for Fleck. With 11 games under his belt, it's time for him and his players to give Gophers fans at least a dash of hope for next year. A great coach will get his players to rise up, to play above their physical abilities at home against a superior team that aspires to win a national championship.
I'm not saying that Minnesota should reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe, but playing at home on Senior Day, the Gophers must compete. They can't get run over the way they did against Michigan and Northwestern.
This is Minnesota's bowl game. The stadium should be full or nearly so (with Wisconsin fans filling most seats), and this is Fleck's last chance to impress recruits who are getting offers from schools like Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa State and Michigan State.
http://www.postbulletin.com/sports/...cle_984f5a68-15f0-5865-af67-78cba86fc777.html
Go Gophers!!