Big Ten Football: Predicting the Biggest Upsets in 2020 (9. MSU over MN, Oct. 31; 7. Neb over MN, Nov. 27; 4. Illinois over MN, Oct. 24)

[BleedGopher]

per Athlon:

9. Michigan State over Minnesota, Oct. 31
The Gophers are no longer flying under the radar after P.J. Fleck's program took a giant step forward last season. The Spartans may be looking to rebuild a bit under new head coach Mel Tucker, but a good defensive showing at home against Minnesota should not be unexpected. If Michigan State can just get something out of its offense, Minnesota could be going home with a loss.

7. Nebraska over Minnesota, Nov. 27 (Friday)
Nebraska will close out its regular season at home against Minnesota. While the Gophers could be in a position to capture the Big Ten West crown, the Huskers could still be dangerous as they potentially fight for a winning record and a possible bowl berth. Nebraska could be a fun spoiler team this season.

4. Illinois over Minnesota, Oct. 24
Remember last year when an upset of Wisconsin fueled Illinois to a second-half run that resulted in a bowl trip? This year's victim at home could be Minnesota, a week prior to the Illini heading to Wisconsin. The Illini were roughed up by Minnesota last year and will be ready to hand out some revenge.

Big Ten Football: Predicting the Biggest Upsets in 2020

So you think you have the Big Ten figured out, do you? Nothing could possibly prevent Ohio State from playing for another Big Ten championship this unique

athlonsports.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Dear Athlonsports:

 

[SixBySix]

Pretty sure if we lose to Michigan State and Illinois, a loss to Nebraska on the road no longer counts as an "upset".

 

[MplsGopher]

Dink-lon

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Number one prediction is Ohio State losing to Illinois. He’s just having some fun at the expense of serious people. I hope.

 

[salzie]

Pretty sure if we lose to Michigan State and Illinois, a loss to Nebraska on the road no longer counts as an "upset".

exactly, our season has gone south at that point. I could see any one of these happening, I could potentially see two, I would consider all 3 a disaster

 

[Some guy]

This is a really complementary article when Nebraska and Michigan state beating us are both considered big upsets and we are never listed as a win we might get would be an upset all year

 

[Nokomis]

This is a really complementary article when Nebraska and Michigan state beating us are both considered big upsets and we are never listed as a win we might get would be an upset all year

You're right. It is nice to see wins over MN listed among the top potential upsets of the year, instead of vice versa like it normally is.

 

[MNVCGUY]

This is a really complementary article when Nebraska and Michigan state beating us are both considered big upsets and we are never listed as a win we might get would be an upset all year

Good way of looking at it. We are not used to being the team that others would view as a big upset if they can pull off a HOME victory against us. Assuming we actually get to have a season it will be very interesting to see how Fleck is able to get the team ready each week as they can no longer really sneak up on people. We have definitely transitioned from the hunter to the hunted in a lot of ways. Maybe not to the same level as Wisconsin and Ohio State but we are definitely not a program teams will take for granted.

 

[gophereric30]

per Athlon:

9. Michigan State over Minnesota, Oct. 31
The Gophers are no longer flying under the radar after P.J. Fleck's program took a giant step forward last season. The Spartans may be looking to rebuild a bit under new head coach Mel Tucker, but a good defensive showing at home against Minnesota should not be unexpected. If Michigan State can just get something out of its offense, Minnesota could be going home with a loss.

7. Nebraska over Minnesota, Nov. 27 (Friday)
Nebraska will close out its regular season at home against Minnesota. While the Gophers could be in a position to capture the Big Ten West crown, the Huskers could still be dangerous as they potentially fight for a winning record and a possible bowl berth. Nebraska could be a fun spoiler team this season.

4. Illinois over Minnesota, Oct. 24
Remember last year when an upset of Wisconsin fueled Illinois to a second-half run that resulted in a bowl trip? This year's victim at home could be Minnesota, a week prior to the Illini heading to Wisconsin. The Illini were roughed up by Minnesota last year and will be ready to hand out some revenge.

Big Ten Football: Predicting the Biggest Upsets in 2020

So you think you have the Big Ten figured out, do you? Nothing could possibly prevent Ohio State from playing for another Big Ten championship this unique

athlonsports.com

Go Gophers!!

So like 3-7 on the season lol

 

[forever a gopher]

It's quite possible MSU is an absolute train wreck this year. Mel Tucker got none of "his" guys in last years recruiting class due to Dantonio's late announcement. Add in the fact that he didn't get spring ball, the spring game, and now an odd summer practice schedule means he hasn't had the normal offseason to implement an entirely new system. Last year they weren't exactly spectacular, either. Any time there is a new coach, there is likely to be a drop off of some kind (OSU withstanding). Add in the limitations from this specific year, and it could be pretty bad. It would be disappointing for MN to lose to Illinois and/or Nebby, but they SHOULD be able to roll MSU. I really don't understand all the love MSU is getting in the preseason rags.

 

[btowngopher]

It's quite possible MSU is an absolute train wreck this year. Mel Tucker got none of "his" guys in last years recruiting class due to Dantonio's late announcement. Add in the fact that he didn't get spring ball, the spring game, and now an odd summer practice schedule means he hasn't had the normal offseason to implement an entirely new system. Last year they weren't exactly spectacular, either. Any time there is a new coach, there is likely to be a drop off of some kind (OSU withstanding). Add in the limitations from this specific year, and it could be pretty bad. It would be disappointing for MN to lose to Illinois and/or Nebby, but they SHOULD be able to roll MSU. I really don't understand all the love MSU is getting in the preseason rags.

I don't get it either, coaching down grade, lost a fair amount of production on offense, not that the offense was any good last year. I think they will struggle to score points again.

 

[Cayman]

I don't get it either, coaching down grade, lost a fair amount of production on offense, not that the offense was any good last year. I think they will struggle to score points again.

Not that I think losing to Michigan State is particularly likely, but do we know yet if it's a coaching downgrade? I know Dantonio was the one who brought them from from that 5 to 7 win territory to 10 to 12 wins, but from what I heard, his assistants were kind of dragging him down at the end, and he wouldn't fire them because they were his friends or something like that. I know pretty much nothing about Mel Tucker, but I got the feeling that Dantonio was a great coach at one point who was maybe trending in the wrong direction, and wouldn't have had the same success in the next 5 years that he had in the early 2010's.

 

[MplsGopher]

When you look at average attendance -- which I know is a very simplistic and crude way to judge a program -- MSU is on par with Wisconsin.

They're just so badly overshadowed by the elite 3 (Mich, Ohio St, and Penn St) playing in the East. Plus Indiana has risen up the last couple years. So that's four games right there that could be easy to lose.

 

[Otis]

MSU benefits from recent history in all things over the Gophers as far as predictions go. I expect to be picked against when we face any of OSU, PSU, Whisky, Iowa, Michigan, MSU, Nebraska and heck even Purdue is usually called a toss-up by the pre-season guys.

They need time to adjust to the new Gopher dynamic!

 

[MennoSota]

per Athlon:

9. Michigan State over Minnesota, Oct. 31
The Gophers are no longer flying under the radar after P.J. Fleck's program took a giant step forward last season. The Spartans may be looking to rebuild a bit under new head coach Mel Tucker, but a good defensive showing at home against Minnesota should not be unexpected. If Michigan State can just get something out of its offense, Minnesota could be going home with a loss.

7. Nebraska over Minnesota, Nov. 27 (Friday)
Nebraska will close out its regular season at home against Minnesota. While the Gophers could be in a position to capture the Big Ten West crown, the Huskers could still be dangerous as they potentially fight for a winning record and a possible bowl berth. Nebraska could be a fun spoiler team this season.

4. Illinois over Minnesota, Oct. 24
Remember last year when an upset of Wisconsin fueled Illinois to a second-half run that resulted in a bowl trip? This year's victim at home could be Minnesota, a week prior to the Illini heading to Wisconsin. The Illini were roughed up by Minnesota last year and will be ready to hand out some revenge.

Big Ten Football: Predicting the Biggest Upsets in 2020

So you think you have the Big Ten figured out, do you? Nothing could possibly prevent Ohio State from playing for another Big Ten championship this unique

athlonsports.com

Go Gophers!!

Clearly the Minnesota Gophers are pushovers and the bottom dwellers of the B1G West. UMN should obviously drop down to the MIAC at D3 where they can struggle against Macalester.

 

[howeda7]

per Athlon:

9. Michigan State over Minnesota, Oct. 31
The Gophers are no longer flying under the radar after P.J. Fleck's program took a giant step forward last season. The Spartans may be looking to rebuild a bit under new head coach Mel Tucker, but a good defensive showing at home against Minnesota should not be unexpected. If Michigan State can just get something out of its offense, Minnesota could be going home with a loss.

7. Nebraska over Minnesota, Nov. 27 (Friday)
Nebraska will close out its regular season at home against Minnesota. While the Gophers could be in a position to capture the Big Ten West crown, the Huskers could still be dangerous as they potentially fight for a winning record and a possible bowl berth. Nebraska could be a fun spoiler team this season.

4. Illinois over Minnesota, Oct. 24
Remember last year when an upset of Wisconsin fueled Illinois to a second-half run that resulted in a bowl trip? This year's victim at home could be Minnesota, a week prior to the Illini heading to Wisconsin. The Illini were roughed up by Minnesota last year and will be ready to hand out some revenge.

Big Ten Football: Predicting the Biggest Upsets in 2020

So you think you have the Big Ten figured out, do you? Nothing could possibly prevent Ohio State from playing for another Big Ten championship this unique

athlonsports.com

Go Gophers!!

Gee. If we lose to Illinois on 10/24, losing to MSU/Nebraska won't be that surprising, will it?

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Gee. If we lose to Illinois on 10/24, losing to MSU/Nebraska won't be that surprising, will it?

I think generally yeah.

Having said that up until last year I think the Gophers were not above having AT LEAST one 'derp' game every year.

I think for most teams they almost all have that one loss that they 'shouldn't' have lost, but still will go on to beat better teams....

I'd even argue half the battle at being a good program isn't beatting the great teams as much as avoiding those 'shouldn't' losses over the course of a year.

 

[Some guy]

When you look at average attendance -- which I know is a very simplistic and crude way to judge a program -- MSU is on par with Wisconsin.

They're just so badly overshadowed by the elite 3 (Mich, Ohio St, and Penn St) playing in the East. Plus Indiana has risen up the last couple years. So that's four games right there that could be easy to lose.

If you went to a Minnesota @ Michigan state game in the mid 2000s with mason as the coach you wouldn’t think that. That stadium was empty during the John L smith years.
Their ups have been on par or better than Wisconsin’s. But in the last 25 years their downs are way lower

 

[Some guy]

Not that I think losing to Michigan State is particularly likely, but do we know yet if it's a coaching downgrade? I know Dantonio was the one who brought them from from that 5 to 7 win territory to 10 to 12 wins, but from what I heard, his assistants were kind of dragging him down at the end, and he wouldn't fire them because they were his friends or something like that. I know pretty much nothing about Mel Tucker, but I got the feeling that Dantonio was a great coach at one point who was maybe trending in the wrong direction, and wouldn't have had the same success in the next 5 years that he had in the early 2010's.

The second or third best coach in school history vs a guy who went 5-7 and bailed on a job?


your point is correct that the 2010s success was likely over for MSU but has more to do with penn state and Michigan not having as many issues now

 

[Spaulding!No!]

If true- Tanner Morgan would be taking up residence on Leidner Island.

 

[gophernut1]

If you read the article you also see that he has WI being upset 3x. Perhaps the article should read "10 potential upsets ranked in order of least to most surprising." Are all of those games potential upsets? YES. Does he think they will all happen? NO. Will he use this article as click bait later when one of them comes true? YES.

He knows the B1G West is going to be way more competitive this year and WI and MN are the cream of the crop. He is guessing someone will surprise those teams and there is a good chance he is right (At least for WI).