BleedGopher
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per Sandell:
Even after the successes of the past two seasons and their first New Year's Day bowl appearance in five decades, the Gophers remain in search of widespread respect, both in the Big Ten and nationally. And that's the way Kill likes it.
"I don't think there is any question about that," Kill said. "Our job is to have a chip on your shoulder and go play. That's what it's always been, pretty much every place I've been at."
Still, significant milestones in the team's revival as yet haven't been accomplished. The obvious is first a division title. Minnesota recaptured the Little Brown Jug from Michigan last year after a nine-year absence, but the coveted Paul Bunyan Axe, which has been in Wisconsin's possession since 2004, remains the lone rivalry trophy Kill hasn't won. And despite three consecutive appearances, Minnesota hasn't won a bowl game in 11 years.
As has been the case in his first four seasons, Kill's team doesn't have to rely on dramatics for Year 5 to be a success, but the forward progression it has shown must stay in motion.
Of the 22 coaches from a Power-5 conference team with more than five seasons at their current program, 17 of them posted at least seven wins in their fifth season, with 10 coaches tallying nine or more victories (Bob Stoops, Mike Gundy, Kirk Ferentz, Mark Dantonio, Kyle Whittingham, Nick Saban, Mark Richt, Les Miles, Dabo Swinney and Jimbo Fisher).
That, in a way, serves as a benchmark for Minnesota. The Gophers are at the point where anything less than seven wins, not including a bowl game, would go down as a major disappointment. Minnesota hasn't shed its underdog image yet, and may not want to. But expectations have undoubtedly reached the next level for Kill.
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...se_expectation_for_Jerry_Kill_in_Year_5082415
Go Gophers!!
Even after the successes of the past two seasons and their first New Year's Day bowl appearance in five decades, the Gophers remain in search of widespread respect, both in the Big Ten and nationally. And that's the way Kill likes it.
"I don't think there is any question about that," Kill said. "Our job is to have a chip on your shoulder and go play. That's what it's always been, pretty much every place I've been at."
Still, significant milestones in the team's revival as yet haven't been accomplished. The obvious is first a division title. Minnesota recaptured the Little Brown Jug from Michigan last year after a nine-year absence, but the coveted Paul Bunyan Axe, which has been in Wisconsin's possession since 2004, remains the lone rivalry trophy Kill hasn't won. And despite three consecutive appearances, Minnesota hasn't won a bowl game in 11 years.
As has been the case in his first four seasons, Kill's team doesn't have to rely on dramatics for Year 5 to be a success, but the forward progression it has shown must stay in motion.
Of the 22 coaches from a Power-5 conference team with more than five seasons at their current program, 17 of them posted at least seven wins in their fifth season, with 10 coaches tallying nine or more victories (Bob Stoops, Mike Gundy, Kirk Ferentz, Mark Dantonio, Kyle Whittingham, Nick Saban, Mark Richt, Les Miles, Dabo Swinney and Jimbo Fisher).
That, in a way, serves as a benchmark for Minnesota. The Gophers are at the point where anything less than seven wins, not including a bowl game, would go down as a major disappointment. Minnesota hasn't shed its underdog image yet, and may not want to. But expectations have undoubtedly reached the next level for Kill.
http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...se_expectation_for_Jerry_Kill_in_Year_5082415
Go Gophers!!
