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That's nice work! One thing I'm a little skeptical about after browsing the data -- How could Duke be 56th in average recruiting rank?

You're probably right!

There are two reasons for that: 1) It's easier to replace a coach than an entire roster; and 2) Although sports fans don't have much problem saying professional players are "bums" or "losers," talking that way about college players will earn you swift condemnation for talking about "kids" that...

Sure, but their "on and off" switches aren't random. They were blown out by one of the very best teams in the country and another team that is one of the best defensive teams in the country. They are 3-1 against power conference teams that are closer to their level. They played California...

Just saw -3.5 on ESPN. Easily the tightest line of the conference weekend slate.

I have to say that given the state of college basketball, I am too. They've already allowed foreign players who played professionally overseas to play in the NCAA.

I look at a season as a collection of games and the goal is to win more than you lose. The more wins exceed losses, the better. Given recent history here, I'd say an 18-13 regular season would be successful for a first year. A 17-14 regular season would be satisfactory.

I suspect that Fleck figured that the true freshmen (Ford and Washington) wouldn't get much playing time so they should be redshirted. That probably was the right idea at the beginning of the season. He played both of them against Iowa. That was their second game. He may decide to pull the...

So true! Especially bad defensive teams. I'm going to say 31-24 Minnesota.

I know that the Gophers are not a good offensive team but I would be shocked if a team that is giving up 32.5 points per game holds them to 7.

I've lived in 5 states as an adult. 3 of them (including one in the south) were more football crazy than Minnesota. I think I'll stick with Minnesota.

As you know, we seldom agree on much but that is a very good point. I think our defensive coordinator right now is pretty good. Wouldn't mind getting someone different for the offensive side but maybe we're better off paying the extra money for better linemen.

Two things: 1) I don't know. I don't concern myself with "what ifs." 2) Data isn't available for "did we do _____ when needed?" I don't evaluate a team based on particular incidents during a season.

Actually, by a key measure - yards per carry, this is the best rushing defense of Fleck's tenure here. The Gophers are giving up only 3.3 yards per carry this season. Iowa's rushing game didn't really kill us; they had 133 rushing yards and averaged 3.7 yards per carry. Their season average...

I remember it well and, more importantly, I look back on the numbers to check my memory because memory can be unreliable. Our rushing performance this season is worse than 2023. We averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2023 and are averaging 3.6 yards per carry so far this season. I don't think...

Agreed. We lost a lot from last season. Drake eventually may be better than Max Brosmer but he isn't right now. We lost our two top receivers. Neither was much of a deep threat but they sure could catch the ball and Jackson was particularly good at doing it while defended. We lost key...

Oregon State is 1-7 this season and was 5-7 last season. Oklahoma State is 1-7 this season and was 3-9 last season. Penn State has very high expectations. Wisconsin is 2-5 this season and was 5-7 last season. I'm not sure their coach will be fired though. Minnesota was 8-5 last season and...

So true! ESPN lists only 23 five-star players in total for 2026 and only one running back. 247 lists 33 five stars in total and one running back.

Good post! I think the team will be favored in two remaining games (the two at home). At this point, I would take Northwestern over us on the road.

At this point, I think we should do what we had to do in 2021 after so many of our running backs were injured: pull the redshirts from the two freshman (Ford and Washington) who played yesterday and have a rotation of Ijeboi, Davis, Ford, and Washington. While I don't think any of these...