bfast
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The 0-3 conference start is disappointing. Grabbing one of those first two was a reasonable expectation. However, in the spirit of the FIBRA (Fairness in Boat Rowing Act), I am going to reserve my first big-picture judgments until after these next three games.
In hindsight view of their opponents' schedules, the Gophers were definitely underdogs in all three of their conference losses:
@Maryland (Hung 34 on and beat #7 Texas, smoked Rutgers, put up some points @ a good Michigan team)
Iowa (Very convincing win @ Indiana and beat an Iowa State team that just knocked off then #6 West Virginia)
@Ohio State (They'll lose in playoff semifinal, but should still win B1G and make the playoff)
The money line might we're seeing as of now might not reflect this, but I think most would agree that MN is at least a pick'm or favorite in their next three:
@Nebraska (you've got to be the favorite against an 0-6 team)
Indiana (They're a 7.5 favorite on us now but they've done little besides a 7-point win over Rutgers)
@Illinois (Could be a tough one but Minnesota should still be considered favorite)
It's quite simple: they've lost the first three as underdogs, now let's see if they can hold serve as a favorite. Anything less than 3-0 or 2-1 in this stretch will sink the boat.
The home Fresno State win is looking better and better as a feather in the cap as they're knocking on the top 25 door again.
Bottom line: you cannot make a definitive judgment on this team when all they have done so far is win their games as favorite and lose their games as underdog. If this current form holds, they'll have 3-4 conference wins and a bowl game. That would at least be a passing grade for this season.
In hindsight view of their opponents' schedules, the Gophers were definitely underdogs in all three of their conference losses:
@Maryland (Hung 34 on and beat #7 Texas, smoked Rutgers, put up some points @ a good Michigan team)
Iowa (Very convincing win @ Indiana and beat an Iowa State team that just knocked off then #6 West Virginia)
@Ohio State (They'll lose in playoff semifinal, but should still win B1G and make the playoff)
The money line might we're seeing as of now might not reflect this, but I think most would agree that MN is at least a pick'm or favorite in their next three:
@Nebraska (you've got to be the favorite against an 0-6 team)
Indiana (They're a 7.5 favorite on us now but they've done little besides a 7-point win over Rutgers)
@Illinois (Could be a tough one but Minnesota should still be considered favorite)
It's quite simple: they've lost the first three as underdogs, now let's see if they can hold serve as a favorite. Anything less than 3-0 or 2-1 in this stretch will sink the boat.
The home Fresno State win is looking better and better as a feather in the cap as they're knocking on the top 25 door again.
Bottom line: you cannot make a definitive judgment on this team when all they have done so far is win their games as favorite and lose their games as underdog. If this current form holds, they'll have 3-4 conference wins and a bowl game. That would at least be a passing grade for this season.
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