BleedGopher
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The Gophers have remaining games against the four lowest-scoring offenses in the Big Ten — Indiana, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois. All four of those teams rank 107th nationally or lower in scoring.
Take a step back and the picture looks familiar. The Gophers' fate likely hinges on how they fare against border rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. Same as always.
P.J. Fleck's record is 1-7 in those two measuring stick games. The Gophers likely need a split, at a minimum, this season to have a realistic chance to win the division.
Fleck has talked openly about trying to replicate the sustainability of those two programs, a hurdle that won't be cleared fully until the Gophers start winning those two games with more frequency.
Iowa appeared primed to sprint away from the West pack until Purdue produced a stunner, which is a term that probably should be sandblasted from the sport's lexicon.
College football is wonderfully wacky. Upsets happen. Heck, even Alabama lost a game this season.
The Big Ten West narrative changed suddenly last week. Maybe it will change again this weekend. The opportunity is there. Let's see who jumps up and grabs it.
Go Gophers!!
The Gophers have remaining games against the four lowest-scoring offenses in the Big Ten — Indiana, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois. All four of those teams rank 107th nationally or lower in scoring.
Take a step back and the picture looks familiar. The Gophers' fate likely hinges on how they fare against border rivals Iowa and Wisconsin. Same as always.
P.J. Fleck's record is 1-7 in those two measuring stick games. The Gophers likely need a split, at a minimum, this season to have a realistic chance to win the division.
Fleck has talked openly about trying to replicate the sustainability of those two programs, a hurdle that won't be cleared fully until the Gophers start winning those two games with more frequency.
Iowa appeared primed to sprint away from the West pack until Purdue produced a stunner, which is a term that probably should be sandblasted from the sport's lexicon.
College football is wonderfully wacky. Upsets happen. Heck, even Alabama lost a game this season.
The Big Ten West narrative changed suddenly last week. Maybe it will change again this weekend. The opportunity is there. Let's see who jumps up and grabs it.
Gophers taking nothing for granted, but Big Ten West suddenly up for grabs
Iowa's loss last week to Purdue opened a lane for the Gophers and others in a race that has just begun.
m.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!