BleedGopher
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per O'Brien:
1. Become Bowl-Eligible: The Gophers were very close to achieving this last year with a record of 5-7. Considering that there were four conference games that Minnesota lost that were winnable games, this might be more upsetting than uplifting. That being said, the team only has to improve upon their record by one game in order to qualify for a bowl game in December. Becoming bowl-eligible will help the development of the program because it gives teams more practices and can help with recruiting. So how can Minnesota get to a bowl game? They have three non-conference games to open up the season, all of which are home games for Minnesota. Beating non-conference opponents is the first step in becoming bowl-eligible, and the Gophers were 3-0 last year in non-conference games. If they can continue this trend, then they would need to beat at least three Big Ten opponents. Winnable conference games this season include Maryland, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois, all of whom had losing records in 2017.
2. Improve Upon the Quarterback Situation: Nothing much needs to be said here. The performance of Gophers’ quarterback tandem of Demry Croft and Connor Rhoda was very poor a year ago. Minnesota ranked last in the Big Ten in completion percentage and second-to-last in passing yards. This needs to change in 2018 if the Gophers want to be successful on offense. Currently, redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan has the advantage over true freshman Zack Annexstad for the starting job.
3. Beat the Iowa Hawkeyes: October 6 against Iowa could be one of the most important games on the calendar for Minnesota. Not only is it a historic trophy game, but it is also Minnesota’s Homecoming game. Any coach, player, or fan of college football can tell you that being able to win on Homecoming can build up school pride and morale. Beating one of their longest rivals on Homecoming would make 2018 a little more special for the Gophers. The last three meetings have been close, all being decided by seven points or less, but Iowa has won each of the last three games. It would be nice to end Iowa’s streak at three.
4. Improve Upon the Scoring Defense: If a team struggles offensively, it is important that the defense is able to stop opposing offenses. However, the Gophers’ defense was unable to stop conference opponents from scoring. In six of their nine Big Ten games, Minnesota’s defense gave up at least 30 points. They gave up an average of 28 points per game in all nine of their conference games. This made it more challenging for the Gophers to be competitive in 2017 and needs to change if they want to win more games in 2018.
5. Beat the Wisconsin Badgers: This might be one of the most difficult tasks for the Gophers to try to accomplish. Wisconsin has won the last fourteen matchups against Minnesota, averaging an astounding 36 points per game during this streak. Because of this unfortunate streak, Minnesota has been unable to make the most-played rivalry in Division I football a true rivalry. It will be very difficult to beat Wisconsin in Madison come late November, as the Badgers finished 2017 with a record of 13-1 capped off with a victory in the Orange Bowl. It might be too much to ask this year, but if P.J. Fleck is able to win back Paul Bunyan’s Axe in only his second year at Minnesota, then 2018 will surely be considered a success.
https://www.isportsweb.com/2018/06/29/minnesota-football-five-keys-to-a-successful-2018-season/
Go Gophers!!
1. Become Bowl-Eligible: The Gophers were very close to achieving this last year with a record of 5-7. Considering that there were four conference games that Minnesota lost that were winnable games, this might be more upsetting than uplifting. That being said, the team only has to improve upon their record by one game in order to qualify for a bowl game in December. Becoming bowl-eligible will help the development of the program because it gives teams more practices and can help with recruiting. So how can Minnesota get to a bowl game? They have three non-conference games to open up the season, all of which are home games for Minnesota. Beating non-conference opponents is the first step in becoming bowl-eligible, and the Gophers were 3-0 last year in non-conference games. If they can continue this trend, then they would need to beat at least three Big Ten opponents. Winnable conference games this season include Maryland, Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois, all of whom had losing records in 2017.
2. Improve Upon the Quarterback Situation: Nothing much needs to be said here. The performance of Gophers’ quarterback tandem of Demry Croft and Connor Rhoda was very poor a year ago. Minnesota ranked last in the Big Ten in completion percentage and second-to-last in passing yards. This needs to change in 2018 if the Gophers want to be successful on offense. Currently, redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan has the advantage over true freshman Zack Annexstad for the starting job.
3. Beat the Iowa Hawkeyes: October 6 against Iowa could be one of the most important games on the calendar for Minnesota. Not only is it a historic trophy game, but it is also Minnesota’s Homecoming game. Any coach, player, or fan of college football can tell you that being able to win on Homecoming can build up school pride and morale. Beating one of their longest rivals on Homecoming would make 2018 a little more special for the Gophers. The last three meetings have been close, all being decided by seven points or less, but Iowa has won each of the last three games. It would be nice to end Iowa’s streak at three.
4. Improve Upon the Scoring Defense: If a team struggles offensively, it is important that the defense is able to stop opposing offenses. However, the Gophers’ defense was unable to stop conference opponents from scoring. In six of their nine Big Ten games, Minnesota’s defense gave up at least 30 points. They gave up an average of 28 points per game in all nine of their conference games. This made it more challenging for the Gophers to be competitive in 2017 and needs to change if they want to win more games in 2018.
5. Beat the Wisconsin Badgers: This might be one of the most difficult tasks for the Gophers to try to accomplish. Wisconsin has won the last fourteen matchups against Minnesota, averaging an astounding 36 points per game during this streak. Because of this unfortunate streak, Minnesota has been unable to make the most-played rivalry in Division I football a true rivalry. It will be very difficult to beat Wisconsin in Madison come late November, as the Badgers finished 2017 with a record of 13-1 capped off with a victory in the Orange Bowl. It might be too much to ask this year, but if P.J. Fleck is able to win back Paul Bunyan’s Axe in only his second year at Minnesota, then 2018 will surely be considered a success.
https://www.isportsweb.com/2018/06/29/minnesota-football-five-keys-to-a-successful-2018-season/
Go Gophers!!