BleedGopher
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per Athlon:
P.J. Fleck's last program (Western Michigan) improved its win total by seven games from his first year to the second season. A similar jump in Minneapolis is unlikely, but improvement should be noticeable. Minnesota's bowl hopes rest on QB play after this team threw just seven touchdown passes in league play last fall. Fleck is counting redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan to claim the job. Quarterback isn't the only question mark on offense. This unit needs more playmakers to emerge to complement wide receiver Tyler Johnson and running back Rodney Smith. Additionally, the line returns only one player who started every game last fall. The defense -- which allowed only 22.8 points per game in 2017 -- is solid, but it won't matter much in Big Ten play if the offense doesn't take a big step forward.
Final Analysis
For the third time in four seasons, Minnesota figures to enter November still in search of an elusive sixth win -- and bowl eligibility. A year ago, in Fleck's first season at Minnesota, the Gophers lacked depth and talent and finished at 5-7, including 2-7 in the Big Ten. It marked the first time Minnesota had missed a bowl since 2011.
"The outside people are going to say, "What about your wins?"" Fleck said during the spring. "Again, I'm not worried about all that. I'm not worried one bit about any of the wins and losses. I'm worried about developing this football team."
Fleck, who took Western Michigan from 1-11 to 8-5 in Year 2 in Kalamazoo, received a one-year rollover contract extension at Minnesota during last season and now has five years remaining to build the program in his image.
NATIONAL RANKING: 73
BIG TEN WEST PREDICTION: 6
https://athlonsports.com/college-football/minnesota-football-2018-gophers-preview-and-prediction
Go Gophers!!
P.J. Fleck's last program (Western Michigan) improved its win total by seven games from his first year to the second season. A similar jump in Minneapolis is unlikely, but improvement should be noticeable. Minnesota's bowl hopes rest on QB play after this team threw just seven touchdown passes in league play last fall. Fleck is counting redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan to claim the job. Quarterback isn't the only question mark on offense. This unit needs more playmakers to emerge to complement wide receiver Tyler Johnson and running back Rodney Smith. Additionally, the line returns only one player who started every game last fall. The defense -- which allowed only 22.8 points per game in 2017 -- is solid, but it won't matter much in Big Ten play if the offense doesn't take a big step forward.
Final Analysis
For the third time in four seasons, Minnesota figures to enter November still in search of an elusive sixth win -- and bowl eligibility. A year ago, in Fleck's first season at Minnesota, the Gophers lacked depth and talent and finished at 5-7, including 2-7 in the Big Ten. It marked the first time Minnesota had missed a bowl since 2011.
"The outside people are going to say, "What about your wins?"" Fleck said during the spring. "Again, I'm not worried about all that. I'm not worried one bit about any of the wins and losses. I'm worried about developing this football team."
Fleck, who took Western Michigan from 1-11 to 8-5 in Year 2 in Kalamazoo, received a one-year rollover contract extension at Minnesota during last season and now has five years remaining to build the program in his image.
NATIONAL RANKING: 73
BIG TEN WEST PREDICTION: 6
https://athlonsports.com/college-football/minnesota-football-2018-gophers-preview-and-prediction
Go Gophers!!