Maybe This Is Actually a Lucky Season for the Gophers

[GopherGrit]

Correct. In two humiliating road losses (tOSU and Iowa) we were outscored 83-6 for negative 77 point differential. Thus, in our remaining seven games, we actually have a +31 point differential and a 6-1 record--an average point differential of essentially +5 per game. As you all know, the Gophs this year have won the tight games, every single one of them. Which is very un-PJish. Really, this is an incredibly resilient team, fighting to the end, when it is still in the game. But this young team, so far, ain't ready for prime time on the road against confident, high-end opponents. The point differential gets too big too quickly, and the young team's resilience collapses. Interesting to see how Oregon goes.

Agreed. I expect Oregon to be like Iowa and Ohio State, but as you say let's see

 

[Some guy]

Offense only had one turnover, which was meaningless as Cal punted immediately 3 and out after it.

Make the FG it's tied at 17.

Don't fumble the ball on punt return and they don't go up to 24 points. Who knows.

1) Special Teams
2) Defense
3) Offense

Agree to disagree

 

[Gophergrandpa]

Assuming no changes;

Home road the next few years:
2026
Home
Eastern Illinois
Akron
Mississippi state
Northwestern
Michigan
Iowa
UCLA

Road
Washington
Wisconsin
Purdue
Penn state
Indiana



2027 home
Lindenwood
San Jose State
Illinois
Indiana
Ohio state
Washington
Wisconsin


Road
Mississippi state
Iowa
Maryland
Nebraska
USC

2028 home
North Dakota
Bowling green
Cal
Iowa
Maryland
Nebraska
Oregon

Road
Michigan State
Ohio state
Rutgers
UCLA
Wisconsin




It’s odd. New big ten it’s harder to go 11-1 or 12-0. May actually be more consistently manageable to be thinking 10-2.
And 10-2 is the new 11-1 with the expanded playoff.
2027 looks like the toughest schedule to me but who knows by tthen.

Assuming PJ’s tend of significant to shocking road game underperformance is a trend, you hate to have Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois at home in 2027. Makes it pretty tough to run the table in home games (as we might do in 2025); we will need several road wins in 2027 to get to a good record. But the Gophs might be a good road team by then. Who knows?

 

[Some guy]

Assuming PJ’s tend of significant to shocking road game underperformance is a trend, you hate to have Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois at home in 2027. Makes it pretty tough to run the table in home games (as we might do in 2025); we will need several road wins in 2027 to get to a good record. But the Gophs might be a good road team by then. Who knows?

Agree
Iowas coach could have retired
USC may have fired their coach

Etc

 

[MNVCGUY]

Assuming PJ’s tend of significant to shocking road game underperformance is a trend, you hate to have Ohio State, Indiana and Illinois at home in 2027. Makes it pretty tough to run the table in home games (as we might do in 2025); we will need several road wins in 2027 to get to a good record. But the Gophs might be a good road team by then. Who knows?

We have been a pretty good road team under Fleck. (just road games no Neutral site)

2021 - 4-1
2022 - 3-2
2023 - 1-4
2024 - 3-2
Total - 11-9

So hopefully this year is more of a bad matchups vs. new trend in road games and we can get back to being solid on the road again in the future.