Big Ten Football 2020 Predictions (Big Ten West: #2. Minnesota)

[BleedGopher]

per Athlon:

2. Minnesota*

The Golden Gophers were the Big Ten's biggest surprise last season. After finishing 7-6 in 2018, coach P.J. Fleck guided the program to just its second double-digit win total since 1905. The emergence of quarterback Tanner Morgan and receiver Rashod Bateman helped Minnesota's offense emerge as one of the best in the conference, and both players return this fall to keep Fleck's team in contention for the division title. Morgan is supported by five returning starters up front, while running back Mohamed Ibrahim takes over at running back. Edging Wisconsin for the top spot in the West could hinge on how far the defense progresses after losing key players at every level, particularly All-America safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Fleck's squad catches a break in scheduling, as Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern and Iowa come to Minneapolis in 2020.

Big Ten Football 2020 Predictions

The 2020 Big Ten predictions begin with a couple of familiar faces atop the divisions: Ohio State and Wisconsin. The Buckeyes and Badgers have combined for 11

athlonsports.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[Jike Spingleton]

Athlon has the Gophers finishing 9-3 (6-3 B1G) and facing Louisville in the newly renamed Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte. Wisky predicted to go 7-2 to win the West and lose to 13-0 tOSU in Indy.

 

[builtbadgers]

Athlon has the Gophers finishing 9-3 (6-3 B1G) and facing Louisville in the newly renamed Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte. Wisky predicted to go 7-2 to win the West and lose to 13-0 tOSU in Indy.

Think of that, 6-3 in the conference and we have a ton of fans that would be very disappointed. Before last year when is the last time we won 6 conference games.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Think of that, 6-3 in the conference and we have a ton of fans that would be very disappointed. Before last year when is the last time we won 6 conference games.

Expectations have definitely shifted for the program but anyone who would be very disappointed by a 6-3 season right now (assuming wins in the 3 non-conf games) is setting themselves up to be disappointed most years.

The exciting part is that we are trending in the right direction for the first time in a long time and suddenly contending for the West doesn't feel like a long shot. Nice to see the National publications viewing us as contenders as well because for as long as I can remember we were almost always in the also ran category.

 

[pk2]

Athlon has the Gophers finishing 9-3 (6-3 B1G) and facing Louisville in the newly renamed Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte. Wisky predicted to go 7-2 to win the West and lose to 13-0 tOSU in Indy.

I can’t wait to see what gets dumped on the head of the winning coach.

 

[hello-world]

Expectations have definitely shifted for the program but anyone who would be very disappointed by a 6-3 season right now (assuming wins in the 3 non-conf games) is setting themselves up to be disappointed most years.

You're right, but this roster has a level of talent and coaching that I haven't ever seen at Minnesota before.

Depending on how it happens, I would probably be a little let down by a 6-3 season, because I think Minnesota is talented enough to win more than 6 conference games this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Minnesota drop games to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nebraska, but I would absolutely be disappointed by it.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

You're right, but this roster has a level of talent and coaching that I haven't ever seen at Minnesota before.

Depending on how it happens, I would probably be a little let down by a 6-3 season, because I think Minnesota is talented enough to win more than 6 conference games this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Minnesota drop games to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Nebraska, but I would absolutely be disappointed by it.

I have read here in the past that we have always had the horses but that the coaching was poor.