We may never be in this position again

[PMWinSTP]

People are acting as if this was the easiest schedule of all times. We had the exact same crossovers (Penn St., Maryland & Rutgers) that we did in 2016. In none of the 3 previous years have we played more than one of the historically top East Division teams of Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. If you call Michigan State the same level (which they can occasionally be), we have played two of the "top 4" teams from the East 3 years since expansion and only one such teams 3 years. Next year, we play Michigan and Michigan State (which isn't looking elite) and in 2021 we only play OSU out of those 4 teams.
So I don't think the difficulty of conference schedule varies as much from year-to-year as others seem to fear.

I've been posting for 3+ years about 2016 and 2019 as the most favorable seasons in the near future for Gophs to have big win seasons. Difference with 2016 is it had 4 home B1G games, and had Wisc, Nebby and PSU on the road...tougher to win.

 

[btowngopher]

How about improve the program enough that we can win the west even when the schedule is less than perfect?

 

[ethomasp31]

Next years schedule is very comparable to this one.

If you look at the schedule through 2025....there isn't a year where we play 2 of Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State. In 2024 we won't play any of those three teams, but MSU, Indiana and Maryland.

 

[Ewert86PC]

We may never be in this position again? True, we can do this and beat Iowa and Wisconsin next year.

 

[ethomasp31]

It was a fun season...But to your point, it will be a nightmare if we drop games early next season. As that may signify we missed our chance. I'll continue to hope that we haven't reached our peak yet...

Our schedule next year is loaded with the better teams early. Our last 5 games are Illinois, MSU, Purdue, Northwestern and Nebraska. We play Iowa the third week of the season and Wisconsin and Michigan by the middle of October. Why is everybody talking like we have already peaked? We aren't close to as good as we will be in a few years. I'm very disappointed....but our future is bright.

My family or I have had Viking season tickets for over half my life. I gave them up about 15 years ago. Next year I'll be getting Gopher season tickets for the first time ever. This ride isn't over....its just beginning!

Row the Boat!! Ski U Mah!! Go Gophers!!

 

[MplsGopher]

If you look at the schedule through 2025....there isn't a year where we play 2 of Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State. In 2024 we won't play any of those three teams, but MSU, Indiana and Maryland.

2023 we will play both Michigan and Ohio St.

 

[MplsGopher]

Another thing to consider is playing P5 teams in the non-conf. We have Colorado and North Carolina coming up in future years. BYU as well, is a pretty good G5 team.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I've posted this now on several threads but I think it's relevant here as well. The Gophers now have the 27th toughest schedule in the country for this year.

And I don't think next year's schedule is really that much tougher. Michigan replaces Penn St, Michigan St could be even worse next year and we play Maryland again.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Each season is a different entity. Granted, the really good teams are really good most seasons - but a few key injuries will change the season for anyone. Ask Alabama. Even with their depth and all their 4* and 5* recruits, the QB goes down and it changes the season.

My point is that there are no guarantees. The Gophers might win 10 or more games next year, or they might not. 10 years from now, 2019 may be seen as the stepping stone to greatness, or as a missed opportunity. We just don't know. That can only be answered by some historical perspective.

 

[MplsGopher]

I've posted this now on several threads but I think it's relevant here as well. The Gophers now have the 27th toughest schedule in the country for this year.

And I don't think next year's schedule is really that much tougher. Michigan replaces Penn St, Michigan St could be even worse next year and we play Maryland again.

It comes down to how we play in the West, as it should. Every team in the West is either: looking to keep playing at a high level (Minn, Wisc, Iowa), looking to rebound back up to a high level that they were at recently (NW), or looking to rise up themselves (Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska). It's a tough division.

 

[Dano564]

West is as good as the East except for the fact we don't have OSU.
If OSU was in the West and Purdue, Nebraska, Illinois or Northwestern was East, everyone would think the West was dominant.

 

[ethomasp31]

2023 we will play both Michigan and Ohio St.

I didn't notice that we played both in 2013. That will be a tough schedule with North Carolina on the road too.

 

[imthewalrus]

3 solid running B1G running backs, above average offensive line, 2 NFL wide receivers, 1 NFL quarterback, and 2 more solid wideouts that could be starters on other B1G teams.

Boatloads of talent that'll make anyone look good. Iowa and Wisconsin coaches ran circles around him with MUCH less talent.

All that nfl talent on offense does nothing that really counts without a STRONG offensive line and a couple of great tight ends. The backs and receivers STILL have to block.
Iowa and Wisconsin are STRONGER in their offensive lines And generally have been for the past 15 years. THAT is why the GOPHER has held the PIG and the AXE so seldom during that period of time. When the GOPHER is as strong up front as the stinking badger and the stinking Hawkeye, about half the time the GOPHER will be the keeper of the hardware associated with these two border battle games and U of M football fans and local blow-dry print, radio and tv media types won’t have the GOPHER to kick when the GOPHER gets beat by a neighboring stinking Hawkeye or stinking badger team

 

[Veritas]

3 solid running B1G running backs, above average offensive line, 2 NFL wide receivers, 1 NFL quarterback, and 2 more solid wideouts that could be starters on other B1G teams.

Boatloads of talent that'll make anyone look good. Iowa and Wisconsin coaches ran circles around him with MUCH less talent.

Football games are won and lost in the trenches and neither of our lines could do spit vs the hated Badgers in the biggest game of the decade or bigger.

 

[BeenHazy]

I didn't notice that we played both in 2013. That will be a tough schedule with North Carolina on the road too.

That's a 2 loss, still make the NY6 schedule. CFP if things break right. 1 loss is CFP for sure.

Unless Iowa and Bucky suck by then, but that would be fine too.

 

[Word]

Another thing to consider is playing P5 teams in the non-conf. We have Colorado and North Carolina coming up in future years. BYU as well, is a pretty good G5 team.

And Mississippi State

 

[alchemy2u]

The whole premise of this thread is exactly what PJ is talking about, the defeatist attitude of fans! Pessimism breads pessimism.

I hope you enjoyed your “season of a lifetime“. Now just relax and let us roll with the new normal. Ski-U-Mah!

 

[PMWinSTP]

I've posted this now on several threads but I think it's relevant here as well. The Gophers now have the 27th toughest schedule in the country for this year.

And I don't think next year's schedule is really that much tougher. Michigan replaces Penn St, Michigan St could be even worse next year and we play Maryland again.

Five B1G road games. Iowa and Wisc. In first half of season. BYU team that beat Tenn, USC and Boise State this year.

 

[RememberMurray]

Five B1G road games. Iowa and Wisc. In first half of season. BYU team that beat Tenn, USC and Boise State this year.

Hmmm... let's take a look at all those teams you mentioned, in order of AP rankings:

— Wisconsin: 10th ranked

— MINNESOTA: 15th ranked

— Iowa: 18th ranked

— Boise State: 19th ranked

— USC: 24th ranked

— BYU: Not ranked in Top 25

— Tennessee: Not ranked in Top 25

---------------------

I'm sorry; you can tremble like a chihuahua if you want to. That schedule just doesn't scare me. It won't scare this coaching staff. And it won't scare this team.

The takeaway from my list is apparent: The Golden Gophers are actually be one of the Big Boys now. This is a huge adjustment for Minnesotans, and it frightens some of us. But the reality is, this is no longer the Land of Losers. Expect great things.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Hmmm... let's take a look at all those teams you mentioned, in order of AP rankings:

— Wisconsin: 10th ranked

— MINNESOTA: 15th ranked

— Iowa: 18th ranked

— Boise State: 19th ranked

— USC: 24th ranked

— BYU: Not ranked in Top 25

— Tennessee: Not ranked in Top 25

---------------------

I'm sorry; you can tremble like a chihuahua if you want to. That schedule just doesn't scare me. It won't scare this coaching staff. And it won't scare this team.

The takeaway from my list is apparent: The Golden Gophers are actually be one of the Big Boys now. This is a huge adjustment for Minnesotans, and it frightens some of us. But the reality is, this is no longer the Land of Losers. Expect great things.

Pretty sure Gophs lost to Wisc and Iowa...

 

[Go Gophs]

To the OP:

The second part of your original post (about Minnesota not being aggressive enough, and not being strong enough in the trenches) is brilliantly spot on. I agree completely. Very well said.

However, the first part/opening part of your statement, as well as the title of your thread, is sheer nonsense.

There is simply no reason to assume, as you have, that Minnesota will "never" be in a similar position again. That's typical Minnesotan hang-dog, defeatist claptrap.

A question for all you Lake Wobegon sad sacks who are singing sad strains of "never again": going into this season, did you predict more than or fewer than 10 wins for this team? Thanks. No need to reply; we all know the answer. You were sure we'd "never" win ten games, weren't you? Yes, I'm talking to you.

Also, to the "we had a really easy schedule" folks who keep talking about how we were able to 'dodge' mighty Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State, my question would be: are Michigan State and Michigan really unbeatable in your minds? Really? If so, in which decade are you currently living? Penn State is better than both of them here in 2019, a.k.a 'the present'. And Penn State is likely to stay that way for some time to come.

Michigan and Michigan State are both worse than Iowa and Wisconsin. Period. Iowa played terrible the game they lost to Michigan. I am not worried about either of those squads per say. They will be good teams, but definitely not the Michigan of the past.

 

[dpodoll68]

Michigan and Michigan State are both worse than Iowa and Wisconsin. Period. Iowa played terrible the game they lost to Michigan. I am not worried about either of those squads per say. They will be good teams, but definitely not the Michigan of the past.

Michigan is worse than Iowa, period? That explains why Michigan beat Iowa this season.

 

[MplsGopher]

No one is saying that next year's schedule is going to be extremely difficult, and should cause us to tremble with fear.

I believe rather than they're pointing out that 2016 and 2019 could in fact be the two easiest schedules, on paper, that the Gophers will have ever had. We're talking "slightly easier" here, not extremely easier.

 

[MplsGopher]

Michigan and Michigan State are both worse than Iowa and Wisconsin. Period. Iowa played terrible the game they lost to Michigan. I am not worried about either of those squads per say. They will be good teams, but definitely not the Michigan of the past.

They are better than Rutgers and Maryland, though, correct?

 

[Go Gophs]

All that nfl talent on offense does nothing that really counts without a STRONG offensive line and a couple of great tight ends. The backs and receivers STILL have to block.
Iowa and Wisconsin are STRONGER in their offensive lines And generally have been for the past 15 years. THAT is why the GOPHER has held the PIG and the AXE so seldom during that period of time. When the GOPHER is as strong up front as the stinking badger and the stinking Hawkeye, about half the time the GOPHER will be the keeper of the hardware associated with these two border battle games and U of M football fans and local blow-dry print, radio and tv media types won’t have the GOPHER to kick when the GOPHER gets beat by a neighboring stinking Hawkeye or stinking badger team

Don't agree.

Just play better defense and we win both of those games. This Wisconsin game our DB's got torched on easy coverage to 1 receiver. Our D line and linebackers were excellent against Wisconsin's run game. They literally had that kid almost completely bottled up.

That and on offense, gotta catch the ball. Come on Johnson, be that NFL guy we know you are. Needed him to make a couple big catches he didn't make.

Iowa game they just came out flat. They were hungover from the PSU game. Second half Minnesota dominated the game. In fact, if you had one more quarter to that game, we win handily.

 

[Go Gophs]

Michigan is worse than Iowa, period? That explains why Michigan beat Iowa this season.

Did you watch the game?

Iowa's QB bascially gave the ball away every time they had possession. Iowa held the ball longer, had more first downs, and total yards were even. They turned it over too much. Game was also at Michigan. My point is, there is no reason to fear Michigan. They aren't the same program they were 20 years ago.

 

[dpodoll68]

Did you watch the game?

Iowa's QB bascially gave the ball away every time they had possession. Iowa held the ball longer, had more first downs, and total yards were even. They turned it over too much.

I didn't need to watch the game to see who is better.

Final score: Michigan 10, Iowa 3

Turnovers are part of the game.

 

[Go Gophs]

They are better than Rutgers and Maryland, though, correct?

Yes, I would say so.

Rutgers couldnt' beat a good high school team and should be taken out of the Big Ten. They are a terrible athletic program.

 

[Go Gophs]

I didn't need to watch the game to see who is better.

Final score: Michigan 10, Iowa 3

Turnovers are part of the game.

Whatever sunshine.

My point is Michigan isn't a big scary monster anymore.

 

[RememberMurray]

Pretty sure Gophs lost to Wisc and Iowa...

Yes. And therefore...?