Gophers Fleck on closing the gap against top teams: "...Just because you want that doesn't mean that's going to happen."



These days the money talks and bullsh!t walks with the parents and players seems more highlighted. Not all student athletes but a lot. I mean they do get a salary cap from the AD for what they can pay from NCAA perspective , but as said in the Oregon after game threads, the other ancillory NIL money paid by donors at Oregon, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Michigan, IU, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma that is all at another stratospheric level from the U currently. Just like in the cheating days it is hard to compete with the bag man if you don't have the car dealers, Oil men, tech people, big money people. I believe Fleck does his best to promote the Elite fund and sell, but getting people to donate is never easy.
 
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Not even if we ask Santa, Coach.

He is 100% correct, of course, kind of a no brainer, and I am qualified to make that observation.
 




Call me a romantic, but I miss the cash under the table days.

Missing you Luther Danville❤️
When still a Georgia fan in the 80s, really respected Danny Ford at Clemson in the early 80s when they won the National Championship.

If you're going to cheat, then cheat to win. No other reason to do it.

In this light never understood the cheating with Gangelfhoff and the Men's BB Team under Clem. It was my understanding that none of the players getting papers written for them (for years) were ever starters. Sheeeessh...
 




Sorry but the tweet pic triggered an adverse fashion reaction...

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The Billds really DISLIKE the lower color. Believe that Coach has shied away from it this season but it was prominent for several.

Coach's fashion choices are typically spot on...well, the ankles in his capris are a questionable look...but this color is yuck.
 

When still a Georgia fan in the 80s, really respected Danny Ford at Clemson in the early 80s when they won the National Championship.

If you're going to cheat, then cheat to win. No other reason to do it.

In this light never understood the cheating with Gangelfhoff and the Men's BB Team under Clem. It was my understanding that none of the players getting papers written for them (for years) were ever starters. Sheeeessh...
I kinda doubt Courtney James was that well versed in the women's menstrual cycle
 

Nobody is looking to have him compete against tOSU or Oregon to the point where we beat them other than once in a blue moon. Getting absolutely blown out by Iowa two years in a row once at home once on the road is completely unacceptable and for the folks that are saying that PJ has a good point here you are all lemmings.
 






He's probably right so then what's the point of buying tickets, merchandise or even watching the games anymore?. What sort of message does that send to future recruits, fans or boosters? "Hey we will be competitive just not against really good teams " not exactly the best message to send.
 

I'm not worried about closing the gap between OSU or Oregon. That gap is too wide to bridge. I would like it to appear as though we can compete with them at some level, that we offer some resistance and aren't just a scrimmage against the JV. But it will be what it will be. In an 18 team league, at least 9 teams are only average or worse, right?
I am a teeny bit concerned whether we might be developing a gap (in the wrong direction) against teams like Northwestern, where NIL money probably isn't an issue. Hope to have that concern relieved this weekend. Go Gophers.
 


Sorry but the tweet pic triggered an adverse fashion reaction...

View attachment 40214

The Billds really DISLIKE the lower color. Believe that Coach has shied away from it this season but it was prominent for several.

Coach's fashion choices are typically spot on...well, the ankles in his capris are a questionable look...but this color is yuck.
I knew the equipment people for Missouri at one time and basically the Coaches had their game attire laid out for them each game by NIKE. Down to their socks
 


What would it take for MN to become a Penn State, or a Michigan?
Some boosters with really deep pockets willing to spend a crap ton of money to let the coaches go out and outbid other schools for top end talent. And to be willing to do that year after year.....
 

What would it take for MN to become a Penn State, or a Michigan?
a lot of $$$$. and over a long period of time. 15-20 years of winning 9 to 12 games. A couple conference titles and quite a few trips to the CFP. Maybe not even win a national title but compete for several. A couple Heisman candidates and maybe a Heisman winner. Also some players go on to star in the NFL. nothing major really.
 

These days the money talks and bullsh!t walks with the parents and players seems more highlighted. Not all student athletes but a lot. I mean they do get a salary cap from the AD for what they can pay from NCAA perspective , but as said in the Oregon after game threads, the other ancillory NIL money paid by donors at Oregon, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Michigan, IU, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma that is all at another stratospheric level from the U currently. Just like in the cheating days it is hard to compete with the bag man if you don't have the car dealers, Oil men, tech people, big money people. I believe Fleck does his best to promote the Elite fund and sell, but getting people to donate is never easy.
Especially in this part of the country. Most Minnesotans are hard wired to be frugal in regards to non-necessities.
 

So most folks in this thread think we can never become......Indiana.

What a time.
 

These days the money talks and bullsh!t walks with the parents and players seems more highlighted. Not all student athletes but a lot. I mean they do get a salary cap from the AD for what they can pay from NCAA perspective , but as said in the Oregon after game threads, the other ancillory NIL money paid by donors at Oregon, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Michigan, IU, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma that is all at another stratospheric level from the U currently. Just like in the cheating days it is hard to compete with the bag man if you don't have the car dealers, Oil men, tech people, big money people. I believe Fleck does his best to promote the Elite fund and sell, but getting people to donate is never easy.
I would agree with this if we didn't see Iowa and other teams with far less money still compete every year and find ways to win without the extra money. It all comes down to coaching and PJ and company consistently get out-coached against these big schools.
 

So most folks in this thread think we can never become......Indiana.

What a time.
Indiana had a recent cash infusion. Gophers and a lot of others could become Indiana with $$$. That's different than becoming Ohio State, Michigan or Oregon. Texas Tech and Indiana are a different category.
 

42-3
41-3
42-13

This is what we don't want to happen.

Annual C-tier bowl win vs a team with a bunch of opt outs being the ceiling is what we don't want to happen. Too much to ask, I know.
 

I would agree with this if we didn't see Iowa and other teams with far less money still compete every year and find ways to win without the extra money. It all comes down to coaching and PJ and company consistently get out-coached against these big schools.
He consistently gets outcoached by Iowa.
 

He consistently gets outcoached by Iowa.
Agreed. And that is why I won't be told it's just a money problem as to why the Gophers don't take the next step up. Fleck raised the floor for Gopher football and I am grateful for that but his on the field coaching has consistently held us back.
 





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