Souhan: Predicting the future for Vikings, Gophers as football season begins

[BleedGopher]

Per Souhan:

Reasons for optimism:

1. The Gophers have won nine or more games in three of the last four seasons (they went 3-4 in the shortened 2020 season) and coach P.J. Fleck is 4-0 in bowl games.
2. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is a big, rangy athlete who, in his last two starts, led the Gophers to victories over Wisconsin and Syracuse.
3. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford should be a star, and a comfort to his young quarterback.
4. Safety Tyler Nubin could be a star, and Cody Lindenberg should be the next in a long line of standout linebackers.
5. Fleck has found a way to run the ball effectively regardless of personnel changes during his time in Minnesota.

Reasons for pessimism:

1. Last year the Gophers didn't have to play Michigan or Ohio State, yet went on a three-game losing streak during the middle of the season that ended any chance of a special season. This year, the Gophers could start 5-0, but then they will face Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State and Wisconsin.
2. Receiver Chris Autman-Bell, who is recovering from a torn ACL, hasn't been cleared for football activity.
3. Stars Mo Ibrahim (running back) and John Michael Schmitz (center) will be missed.

My view:

The Gophers had the advantage of a soft schedule last fall and a remarkably veteran roster, and went 5-4 in the Big Ten. Facing Michigan and Ohio State without Ibrahim and Schmitz will make this a more difficult season. The pick here is a 7-5 finish in the regular season.

Predicting the future for Vikings, Gophers as football season begins

With training camp starting this week for the Vikings, there are reasons for optimism and pessimism for each of Minnesota's big football teams.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[hungan1]

Per Souhan:

Reasons for optimism:

1. The Gophers have won nine or more games in three of the last four seasons (they went 3-4 in the shortened 2020 season) and coach P.J. Fleck is 4-0 in bowl games.
2. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is a big, rangy athlete who, in his last two starts, led the Gophers to victories over Wisconsin and Syracuse.
3. Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford should be a star, and a comfort to his young quarterback.
4. Safety Tyler Nubin could be a star, and Cody Lindenberg should be the next in a long line of standout linebackers.
5. Fleck has found a way to run the ball effectively regardless of personnel changes during his time in Minnesota.

Reasons for pessimism:

1. Last year the Gophers didn't have to play Michigan or Ohio State, yet went on a three-game losing streak during the middle of the season that ended any chance of a special season. This year, the Gophers could start 5-0, but then they will face Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State and Wisconsin.
2. Receiver Chris Autman-Bell, who is recovering from a torn ACL, hasn't been cleared for football activity.
3. Stars Mo Ibrahim (running back) and John Michael Schmitz (center) will be missed.

My view:

The Gophers had the advantage of a soft schedule last fall and a remarkably veteran roster, and went 5-4 in the Big Ten. Facing Michigan and Ohio State without Ibrahim and Schmitz will make this a more difficult season. The pick here is a 7-5 finish in the regular season.

Predicting the future for Vikings, Gophers as football season begins

With training camp starting this week for the Vikings, there are reasons for optimism and pessimism for each of Minnesota's big football teams.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

Tyler Nubin's comment on the Strib is that the team is not intimidated. This is all I need to hear. We will have an entertaining brand of football with the Gophers. They are a dangerous team.

 

[BilldGopher]

Tyler Nubin's comment on the Strib is that the team is not intimidated. This is all I need to hear. We will have an entertaining brand of football with the Gophers. They are a dangerous team.

Mostly concur. Have been since the Kill Era to now. When up against the best over this period we can often match'em as long as we're low-error/error-free and healthy.

At least on the healthy side, need AK and especially CrAB to avoid nicks or worse and make the plays.

2023 is truly a page turned and a New Era. Hopefully it's Golden starting this year...

 

[kix4kix]

Significant upgrade at QB imo, Morgan was not the player he used to be last year. I say we pick off one of the big boys this year.

 

[Some guy]

7-5 is a decent year given the schedule.
It means you either had a winning record in conference or beat UNC (who I think is top 4 in the ACC) on the road.

I actually would be less disappointed in 7-5 than 8-4
Because if 8-4 I’ll probably think we should’ve been 9-3 or 10-2
Whereas if the team is 7-5…I’ll probably think the team should’ve been 7-5