Chip: Gophers taking nothing for granted, but Big Ten West suddenly up for grabs

[BleedGopher]

Per Chip:


The Gophers have remaining games against the four lowest-scoring offenses in the Big Ten — Indiana, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois. All four of those teams rank 107th nationally or lower in scoring.

Take a step back and the picture looks familiar. The Gophers' fate likely hinges on how they fare against border rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. Same as always.

P.J. Fleck's record is 1-7 in those two measuring stick games. The Gophers likely need a split, at a minimum, this season to have a realistic chance to win the division.

Fleck has talked openly about trying to replicate the sustainability of those two programs, a hurdle that won't be cleared fully until the Gophers start winning those two games with more frequency.

Iowa appeared primed to sprint away from the West pack until Purdue produced a stunner, which is a term that probably should be sandblasted from the sport's lexicon.

College football is wonderfully wacky. Upsets happen. Heck, even Alabama lost a game this season.

The Big Ten West narrative changed suddenly last week. Maybe it will change again this weekend. The opportunity is there. Let's see who jumps up and grabs it.

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Go Gophers!!

 

[60's Guy]

No matter what Wisconsin and Iowa matter.
But for it to be a Big Ten West factor … we gotta win the other four and that won’t be easy either. Tough task, but we are plenty capable.

 

[FullBanana]

Chip is the one Strib reporter worth his salt.

 

[RememberMurray]

The West is only 'up for grabs' if the Gophers fail to grab it.

Win out, and the prize belongs to Minnesota, no matter what anyone else does.

 

[hungan1]

The West is only 'up for grabs' if the Gophers fail to grab it.

Win out, and the prize belongs to Minnesota, no matter what anyone else does.

The Gophers coaches continue to improve their detailed game-planning specific to each upcoming opponent. They control their destiny only if they continue winning.

With the Nebraska game, the Gopher D effectively limited Martinez's mobility by keeping him in the pocket for most of the game. The Gophers D played team discipline football. That is coaching and fundamentals.

 

[goldengophers]

Getting anxious for the end of season, it's truly a game at a time for the team.