ESPN: Minnesota is the program that no one wants to acknowledge as a threat.

BleedGopher

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per ESPN:

The landscape:

Wisconsin has played in three Rose Bowls since the 2010 season and possesses an identity strong enough on both sides of the ball to prove its showing last year in Indianapolis was an aberration.

Nebraska is emboldened by a coaching change, much like Michigan (though without all the flash), and the Huskers sit in a decent position with a foundation of moderate success in place from the previous regime.

Minnesota is the program that no one wants to acknowledge as a threat. But Jerry Kill, who began gathering his current assistants when Urban Meyer coached receivers at Colorado State two decades ago, can't be ignored.

Iowa may have finally arrived at a crossroads. A different feeling exists in Iowa City than after previous bouts with mediocrity. Is that urgency in the air? It can only progress the situation -- either to the next level under Kirk Ferentz or toward a change in leadership.

The bottom of the division is murky and full of questions, much like the East.

Look, the West is falling behind, primarily because of the recent runs in Columbus and East Lansing, but it's not as dramatic -- yet -- as some paint the picture.

For the division to keep pace, its programs must distinguish themselves in a way like Minnesota has over the past two seasons. The Gophers are a great example. They've capitalized on a style of play to nearly maximize efficiency.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/118507/big-ten-west-fight-is-far-from-lost

Go Gophers!!
 

Maybe if Kill wins a bowl game they'll be a little more "threatening"
 

Are we finally in a position to win the West on Nov 28 and play for a BIG title? If so, there has to be improvement in certain areas, the strengths and play makers need to get to turn it up a notch to the next level and we need to stay away from the injury bug.

I think a 9-3 (6-2) season and another Jan 1 bowl game is possible but see the above.
 

Are we finally in a position to win the West on Nov 28 and play for a BIG title? If so, there has to be improvement in certain areas, the strengths and play makers need to get to turn it up a notch to the next level and we need to stay away from the injury bug.

I think a 9-3 (6-2) season and another Jan 1 bowl game is possible but see the above.

As trivial as it sounds, in order to take another step forward they need some luck; by luck I mean, a couple of guys emerging from relatively unknown status to make a big impact on the season that may not have been expected.

Who will that be? E. Williams and/or Poock? Wolitarsky? Jeff Jones? Hank Ekpe?

Staying healthy will be huge too but continuing to have young players emerge (like Lynn and Richardson last year, for example) will go a long ways in determining what this program can do this year.
 

We now have the depth for new players to emerge as impact players each year. Really hard to predict who with certainty, but it is a certainty. We even see true freshmen making that move that we are just beginning to recognize after years of not being even 1 deep with legit B1G talent across the lineup.

Our D is a strength. That is a done deal with QB pressure. Who breaks out to make our O less pedestrian but steady? Our running game is certain. Passing? A question of who. Leidner can get it done with the aggressor with the right hands out there. Who is the next Decker? JJ will be one. We need it on the outside as well as at TE. I believe Kill as even spoken of an incoming freshmen as The One.
 





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