Not a Coyle apologist but since what he does for the program is a question being thrown around, the Strib's write-up on Friday of possible bowl destinations includes some data. Since behind a paywall, here's the money-lines applicable to the discussion:
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“We’ve had pretty good experiences with Minnesota in the past in our game,” said Erik Moses, executive director and CEO of the Fiesta Sports Foundation, which runs the Rate Bowl. “The last time they were here with us, they did well on their ticket sales. … We like to think that our destination is a pretty compelling spot to be in December if you’re from Minnesota."
The Gophers last played in Phoenix in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in 2021, when they beat West Virginia 18-6. They played in its predecessor, the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., in 2006, ’08 and ’09.
The Big Ten team in the Rate Bowl will have an opponent from the Big 12, and Moses spoke highly of a potential Upper Midwest matchup at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We sure wouldn’t mind a Minnesota-Iowa State matchup to harken back to the old times,” Moses said.
The Gophers sold their entire ticket allotment for the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, and Moses is impressed with how Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle and coach P.J. Fleck promote their program.
“We think really highly of Mark Coyle and obviously P.J. as well,” Moses said.
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Maybe Mr. Moses had to say this...or maybe not...but at least someone outside the program is willing to go out on that limb. We'll see where we land shortly. Ski U Bowling...again.
