CFN: Minnesota Football Preview 2025: Can PJ Fleck Take Gophers Higher? (It’s the 9th year of the Fleck era. Is there something more than this?)

[BleedGopher]

Per Pete:

It’s the ninth year of the PJ Fleck era. Is there something more than this?

Fleck has won eight or more games in three of the last four seasons, is 6-0 in bowl games, and his teams keep getting close to that one everything-goes-right breakthrough run.

The 2019 team started 9-0, had a shot at big things at 10-1 going into the Wisconsin game, lost, and it was still the program’s first season with 11 or more wins since 1904.

That was five seasons ago - Minnesota hasn’t finished in the College Football Playoff top 25 since.

Don’t take any of this as a sort of a failing of Fleck - it’s quite the opposite. How many other Power 4 coaches have been at the same gig for at least nine years and won 60% of their games?

Seven - Kirby Smart, James Franklin, Kalani Sitake, Dabo, Kyle Whittingham, Mike Gundy, and Kirk Ferentz. And okay, so Fleck is at 59.8% - it’ll be 60% after the Gophers beat Buffalo in the opener.

And about that big season we’ve been waiting for since 2019, that might be this year.

The schedule is manageable - more on that at the end - the defense should be among the best in the nation, and thanks to the transfer portal, the offense …

Minnesota Golden Gophers Key to the Season​

Again, run better.
The strange 2020 season with just seven games had been the only time in the Fleck era the Gophers failed to run for over 2,000 yards. It ran for just over 1,500 last year and never hit the 200-yard mark - it got there five times in 2023 and seven times in 2022.

When the Gophers ran for more than 110 yards, they went 7-0. When they didn’t, they went 1-5.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Key Player​

Drake Lindsey, QB RFr.
While he hasn’t fully locked in the gig yet, be shocked if he’s not the present and future of the Minnesota offense. He’s got the size, the power arm, and the presence of a state championship-level recruit out of Arkansas and can be the one to take up the passing game several notches.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss​

Top Transfer In: Kahlee Tafai, OT Soph.
Guard Marcellus Marshall out of UCF will be a factory, and Marshall RB AJ Turner could be dangerous part of the rotation, but it’s the 338-pound Tafai out of Washington who gets to try replacing Aireontae Ersery or …

Top Transfer Out: Phillip Daniels, OT Soph.
Minnesota lost a fantastic young tackle who’s destined to end up in the NFL. But if you're going to lose someone that good, moving up to Ohio State at least makes sense.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Key Game​

at Iowa, Oct. 25
There’s a strong chance the Gophers will be favored in every home game, with the possible exception of the season finale against Wisconsin.

Going to Ohio State and Oregon will likely be losses, but there’s still a realistic shot at a ten-win regular season if Floyd of Rosedale - it’s a trophy of a bronze pig - comes back to Minneapolis.
- 2025 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule Breakdown

Minnesota Golden Gophers Top 10 Players​

1. Koi Perich, S Soph.
2. Anthony Smith, EDGE Jr.
3. Darius Taylor, RB Jr.
4. Maverick Baranowski, LB Jr.
5. Kerry Brown, S Soph.
6. Drake Lindsey, QB RFr.
7. Kahlee Tafai, OT Soph.
8. Marcellus Marshall, OG Sr.
9. AJ Turner, RB Jr.
10. Dylan Ray, OT Sr.

Minnesota Golden Gophers 2024 Fun Stats​

- 4th Down Conversions: Minnesota 10-of-11 (91%), Opponents 7-of-17 (41%)

- 1st Quarter Scoring: 59, 2nd Quarter Scoring: 129

- Fumbles: Opponents 11 (lost 4), Minnesota 10 (lost 6)

https://collegefootballnews.com/college-football/minnesota-football-2025-preview-pj-fleck-gophers-upside

Go Gophers!!

 

[RememberMurray]

Well written, well reasoned and insightful. It's a rare preseason piece that doesn't read like AI-generated, formulaic pablum.

I agree that the Iowa game will be pivotal.

As other Gopher Hole posters have said, the 2025 season may well come down to how well our new QB and our revamped offensive line perform.

 

[Nax5]

I believe Fleck has it in him. We have been 1 win away from a West Championship - what - 3 or 4 times now? Just need the last little bit to fall into place.

 

[BilldGopher]

There have been two constants over this period. The HC and the AD. Probably a assistant coach or two of course but these are the biggies.

Since the AD just signs the checks that leaves us with the HC.

It would be great for this to be a break-out year but it hinging on I-O-W-A as usual gives pause. Ferentz has Coach Fleck's number. That's unfortunately just a fact.

That said, assuming the season is going well to that point and Floyd does come home to Dinkytown, this one will certainly take notice. The game will be in Iowa City to boot so that would indeed be something.

Hoping the monkey gets tired of PJ and moves to Captain Kirk's back. Don't mind though if the team has a chip on the collective shoulder.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Per Pete:

When the Gophers ran for more than 110 yards, they went 7-0. When they didn’t, they went 1-5.

Pretty weak analysis if you ask me. The implication is that running more would have led to success, but anyone who watched the Michigan game knows that we wouldn't have done squat trying to run. Instead, we passed like a modern offense and almost won the damn thing!

Minnesota Golden Gophers Key Player
Drake Lindsey, QB RFr.
While he hasn’t fully locked in the gig yet, be shocked if he’s not the present and future of the Minnesota offense. He’s got the size, the power arm, and the presence of a state championship-level recruit out of Arkansas and can be the one to take up the passing game several notches.

Several notches??? Did he not see last season - that was the best passing attack we've had. Maybe 2019 was more dangerous, but we were throwing slants to two NFL WRs. Last year I thought we really opened it up with all kinds of routes, including the TE. I'd be happy if Lindsey can keep us at the Brosmer level - ecstatic if we can be better.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Top 10 Players
1. Koi Perich, S Soph.
2. Anthony Smith, EDGE Jr.
3. Darius Taylor, RB Jr.
4. Maverick Baranowski, LB Jr.
5. Kerry Brown, S Soph.
6. Drake Lindsey, QB RFr.
7. Kahlee Tafai, OT Soph.
8. Marcellus Marshall, OG Sr.
9. AJ Turner, RB Jr.
10. Dylan Ray, OT Sr.

#4 seems high?

 

[Hates Monikers]

Pretty weak analysis if you ask me. The implication is that running more would have led to success, but anyone who watched the Michigan game knows that we wouldn't have done squat trying to run. Instead, we passed like a modern offense and almost won the damn thing!



Several notches??? Did he not see last season - that was the best passing attack we've had. Maybe 2019 was more dangerous, but we were throwing slants to two NFL WRs. Last year I thought we really opened it up with all kinds of routes, including the TE. I'd be happy if Lindsey can keep us at the Brosmer level - ecstatic if we can be better.



#4 seems high?

He didn't say running more would've led to more success; he said running better. Hard to disagree. Having said that, Lindsey's competence and the passing game is probably the key question heading into the season.

 

[West Fargo Gopher Fan]

Thanks now I have Higher by Creed stuck in my head. It's okay though. Creed is awesome.

 

[MNVCGUY]

There have been two constants over this period. The HC and the AD. Probably a assistant coach or two of course but these are the biggies.

Since the AD just signs the checks that leaves us with the HC.

It would be great for this to be a break-out year but it hinging on I-O-W-A as usual gives pause. Ferentz has Coach Fleck's number. That's unfortunately just a fact.

That said, assuming the season is going well to that point and Floyd does come home to Dinkytown, this one will certainly take notice. The game will be in Iowa City to boot so that would indeed be something.

Hoping the monkey gets tired of PJ and moves to Captain Kirk's back. Don't mind though if the team has a chip on the collective shoulder.

No doubt Iowa has had the better of the series since Fleck was hired but the margin is razor thin as 5 of the 8 matchups have been 1 score games including all 4 that have been played in Iowa.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Pretty fair article. I agree with most on here that QB and OL are the biggest questions, and hopefully they turn out well.

I do think PJ is what he is. A good coach that puts out good records. Until the talent level is significantly upgraded we'll be a 6-9 win team most years, and be pretty competitive. I am more than satisfied with the job he's done.

 

[BilldGopher]

No doubt Iowa has had the better of the series since Fleck was hired but the margin is razor thin as 5 of the 8 matchups have been 1 score games including all 4 that have been played in Iowa.