Gophers football team's success hasn't erased skepticism from Big Ten opponents

[BleedGopher]

per Megan:

Before the season, many probably didn’t envision the Gophers being in this position. And the Gophers are very aware of that slight.

Coach P.J. Fleck shared comments from a Purdue player ahead of the game, words he felt underestimated his team. According to the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette, Purdue junior defensive end Derrick Barnes called his team’s loss to the Gophers last season the worst in coach Jeff Brohm’s first two seasons. The story also quoted him as saying Purdue could have blown the Gophers out of the water if the Boilermakers had just played harder.

Fleck wanted his players to understand what the conference’s perception of them is — and how winning is the easiest way to change that.

“We’re just going to have to continue to earn it every week,” sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan said. “And we know how we believe in ourselves. And that’s all that matters. Doesn’t matter what other people believe about us.”

So far, though, the Gophers haven’t put together a commanding victory. The first three were all fourth-quarter comebacks against an FCS squad and two Group of Five opponents.

http://www.startribune.com/at-4-0-gophers-now-must-deal-with-success/561720542/

Go Gophers!!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I think it is fair.

As for the team their job is just to keep winning and it will work itself out.

 

[e.bigelow]

I thought Coach Fleck's Purdue Postgame Interview was spot on. Go out and earn respect as some opposing teams certainly aren't going to give it to them.

 

[RememberMurray]

I hope other teams continue to take the Gophers lightly.

I hope Illinois players are thinking, "Well, we stomped these guys last season."

 

[MNVCGUY]

The Purdue game got a little interesting late but I would consider that to be a commanding victory given that we had a 21 point lead in the 4th quarter against them. We recover the onside kick and we cruise to a comfortable win. Never really felt like the outcome was in doubt though even after they cut the lead to 7.

As for being overlooked by other teams....good....I like it when the players feel they have something to prove.

 

[BTChamp]

At this point in the young season, the "underachieving" narrative fits. From an outsiders view of the Gophers:
1) uncharacteristically beat Purdue last year after being stomped by Illinois which makes it a fluke
2) Beat a "down" Wisconsin team last year
3) Beat a bowl team that lost its coach and had nothing to play for.
4) (Now this year) Beat an FCS team they should have beat by double digits
5) Beat Fresno State but should have won by double digits
6) Beat Georgia Southern (or State) but not by double digits
7) Beat Purdue again but should have won by double digits to be ranked at this time. But Purdue's top 2 offensive players were out.

I think the narrative still fits in the eyes of national perception. But we as Gopher fans are looking closer and seeing things that the major sportswriters are not (continued improvement). The things they have accomplished in the last 7 or so games is damn good and needs to be acknowledged. But the sad fact is, until they beat a ranked team or a name brand, they will not be considered relevant. I'm thinking, if they get past Illinois, Nebraska and Maryland (teams that destroyed the Gophers last year), and go into Penn State with only 1 loss or less, Minnesota will not be underestimated. If they play PSU close they will get respect. If they beat PSU, they will be the darling of the NCAA.

 

[1983]

The turning point for this team could be the Nebraska game. Not because they are good, they are not, they were preseason darlings and according to the experts we are just scraping by weak opponents. This level is dependent on emotion, confidence and mojo. The next two weeks could be a huge opportunity to build some mojo.

 

[Mulligan]

I'd guess many of us on GH are also a bit skeptical yet; or, at least, still unsure. Purdue game showed improvements, but I'm still puzzled about the running game that was to be our strength and the Rossi "magic" of last year seems to be gone. Scary how close to the edge we were in those first 3 games. You take away 1 play from each game and we would have been sitting at 0-3.

That said, we're 4-0 and if other teams take us lightly, so much the better. I hope the team's focus is on Illinois and they're not thinking ahead to Nebraska like some on GH are.

 

[Otis]

I will take being an underdog undefeated team all season!

Easy to see why we are undervalued by nearly everyone with those first three wins and the way we let Purdue make the score close. However,

1. SDSU is still ranked in the top3 of the FCS and has won all their games since.
2. Fresno State is undefeated since we beat them and aside from Wyoming and Boise State will most likely be favored in all the others.
3. Georgia Southern scored 2 unexpected or fluke touchdowns against us or we beat the spread.
4. Purdue scores two meaningless touchdowns to close the gap.

Beat the teams we are supposed to beat, play inspired football and give us a chance against the ranked teams at the end of the year and we will "Earn" respect! 2nd youngest team in the FBS! Watch out Gopher opponents!

Go Gophers!

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

I'd guess many of us on GH are also a bit skeptical yet; or, at least, still unsure. Purdue game showed improvements, but I'm still puzzled about the running game that was to be our strength and the Rossi "magic" of last year seems to be gone. Scary how close to the edge we were in those first 3 games. You take away 1 play from each game and we would have been sitting at 0-3.

That said, we're 4-0 and if other teams take us lightly, so much the better. I hope the team's focus is on Illinois and they're not thinking ahead to Nebraska like some on GH are.

Similarly, they are likely one play away in each of those games from winning by double digits easily.

They're not where they need to be, for sure. Far from it. But I never expected them to be there this year. The depth just isn't where it should be for a successful contending program. As they said during the telecast against Purdue, Fleck is likely a little ahead of schedule this year.

This is hopefully what you might call a launch year; a little more success than many expected, which should boost recruiting, and raise confidence going into next year and beyond. Continue an upward trajectory to show recruits and the fanbase.

As far as the OP, HAH!! Purdue seems to think a little more highly of themselves than they really should. They're staring down the barrel of a 4-8 or 5-7 season, worse if a few things go against them down the stretch.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Similarly, they are likely one play away in each of those games from winning by double digits easily.

They're not where they need to be, for sure. Far from it. But I never expected them to be there this year. The depth just isn't where it should be for a successful contending program. As they said during the telecast against Purdue, Fleck is likely a little ahead of schedule this year.

This is hopefully what you might call a launch year; a little more success than many expected, which should boost recruiting, and raise confidence going into next year and beyond. Continue an upward trajectory to show recruits and the fanbase.

As far as the OP, HAH!! Purdue seems to think a little more highly of themselves than they really should. They're staring down the barrel of a 4-8 or 5-7 season, worse if a few things go against them down the stretch.

I think of PJ's progress chart showing the ups and downs of getting better.


This team has managed to erase a lot of those downs so far this year.

 

[swingman]

per Megan:

Before the season, many probably didn’t envision the Gophers being in this position.

I know a lot of people who expected Gophers to start 5-0. Many expected 8-0.

Some people think this a young, rebuilding team, but it is loaded with seniors and redshirt juniors who were part of a 9-win team in 2016 and have direct ties to a culture of 8-win teams in 2013 and 2014.

Bringing in mature transfers from Notre Dame and Michigan and Florida has added to that maturity and winning culture mentality.

A lot of the young guys playing were four star and high three star recruits that were sought by other Power 5 schools. Lot of NFL talent on the field.

We added an experienced, NFL pedigree d-line coach; another guy who was a champion culture smaller level head coach; and a guy from championship culture programs at Oregon and Southern Utah to help the defense. Our strength guy was sought out by ND. Our OC turned down Power 5 offer.

This team is loaded and ready to win now. It will surprise some, but not those who have watched closely

 

[BTChamp]

I know a lot of people who expected Gophers to start 5-0. Many expected 8-0.

Some people think this a young, rebuilding team, but it is loaded with seniors and redshirt juniors who were part of a 9-win team in 2016 and have direct ties to a culture of 8-win teams in 2013 and 2014.

Bringing in mature transfers from Notre Dame and Michigan and Florida has added to that maturity and winning culture mentality.

A lot of the young guys playing were four star and high three star recruits that were sought by other Power 5 schools. Lot of NFL talent on the field.

We added an experienced, NFL pedigree d-line coach; another guy who was a champion culture smaller level head coach; and a guy from championship culture programs at Oregon and Southern Utah to help the defense. Our strength guy was sought out by ND. Our OC turned down Power 5 offer.

This team is loaded and ready to win now. It will surprise some, but not those who have watched closely

You're preaching to the choir, brother. I love it. Good things are on the way. Just need to wait and let them happen.

 

[PMWinSTP]

The Purdue game got a little interesting late but I would consider that to be a commanding victory given that we had a 21 point lead in the 4th quarter against them. We recover the onside kick and we cruise to a comfortable win. Never really felt like the outcome was in doubt though even after they cut the lead to 7.

As for being overlooked by other teams....good....I like it when the players feel they have something to prove.

We could find something to change in all four games that would have made them "comfortable wins". I absolutely was concerned when it was one possession with 4 minutes left.

 

[PMWinSTP]

I know a lot of people who expected Gophers to start 5-0. Many expected 8-0.

Some people think this a young, rebuilding team, but it is loaded with seniors and redshirt juniors who were part of a 9-win team in 2016 and have direct ties to a culture of 8-win teams in 2013 and 2014.

Bringing in mature transfers from Notre Dame and Michigan and Florida has added to that maturity and winning culture mentality.

A lot of the young guys playing were four star and high three star recruits that were sought by other Power 5 schools. Lot of NFL talent on the field.

We added an experienced, NFL pedigree d-line coach; another guy who was a champion culture smaller level head coach; and a guy from championship culture programs at Oregon and Southern Utah to help the defense. Our strength guy was sought out by ND. Our OC turned down Power 5 offer.

This team is loaded and ready to win now. It will surprise some, but not those who have watched closely

Well said. I'll take a blowout or two for health reasons...

 

[salzie]

We could find something to change in all four games that would have made them "comfortable wins". I absolutely was concerned when it was one possession with 4 minutes left.

Agreed, it's not like they got it to one score with 20 seconds to go needing an onside. They had a chance for 3rd down stop and our defense was struggling. The PI about 90 % sealed it, but Rodney put it away

But when Purdue was down and had 99 yards to go, I thought it was over...shoddy tackling, missed INT, etc...and welp, it wasn't

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Sad but True - if you want 'respect' in College Football - especially from the National Pundits and TV talking heads, you need to win games by margins of 51-10 or 60-14.

The polls and playoff systems may claim that margin of victory doesn't matter or isn't taken into account - but that's BS. A 40-point victory is more impressive than a 3-point victory. that is just the way it is. I see the same thing in HS football with rankings and ratings.

Like it or not, the perception is, if you are a "good" team, you should be rolling up big scores on your opponents.

if the Gophers want to be ranked, or be considered more favorably by the pundits, they need to steamroll some of their next opponents. Beat Illinois by 30+ points. Beat Rutgers by 40+ points. that gets noticed.

nuance gets lost in the noise. A GH regular can explain the fine points and intricacies of a close win, but the average fan watching Sportscenter only looks at the final score. "they only won by 7 points. they must not be that good."