Stewart Mandel’s post-spring top 25 for 2020 (Gophers #17)

[pk2]

Stewart Mandel of theathletic.com posted his post-spring top 25 list of college football teams, though the vast majority of teams didn’t complete spring ball. He has the Gophers at #17:

17. Minnesota (11-2)
Minnesota got a few spring practices in. New offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. inherits an experienced offense led by QB Tanner Morgan, star WR Rashod Bateman, proven RB Mohamed Ibrahim and all five O-line starters. WR Chris Autman-Bell should become a playmaker as well. The defense will require some major rebuilding. P.J. Fleck is excited about DE Bo Mafe. Sophomore S Tyler Nubin looks to fill Antoine Winfield Jr.’s shoes

Top five are:

1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Georgia
5. Oregon

B1G teams listed:

3. Ohio State
7. Penn State
11. Wisconsin
17. Minnesota
19. Iowa
22. Michigan

This is a pay site, so not all will have access, but here’s the link for those who subscribe:

Mandel: A post-spring football Top 25 without spring football

Even if little to nothing has happened on the field since January, enough has happened off it to merit an updated ranking for next season.

theathletic.com

 

[PMWinSTP]

Wait...what? Where's Nebby?

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

A drop from 10 to 17 might raise eyebrows but if you told me last year this time we'd start this year in the 17 spot I'd be pretty excited.

 

[Marooned]

A drop from 10 to 17 might raise eyebrows but if you told me last year this time we'd start this year in the 17 spot I'd be pretty excited.

The theme seems to be that everyone looks at our defense as a big unknown, and they'd be right. There are a lot of big shoes to fill on that side of the ball. I do believe we'll be nearly as strong as last year though (maybe a slight step back, but I wouldn't bet on a large step back), and our offense I believe will be even better.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

The theme seems to be that everyone looks at our defense as a big unknown, and they'd be right. There are a lot of big shoes to fill on that side of the ball. I do believe we'll be nearly as strong as last year though (maybe a slight step back, but I wouldn't bet on a large step back), and our offense I believe will be even better.

Yeah I think being concerned about the defense is legit.

Also I suspect there is still pretty of "prove it" out there as far as a team who had an unexpectedly amazing season ... but just one... and that's probably fair too.


But hey the "prove it" factor in the past would have been starting outside the top 25 for sure.

 

[Rescooter]

Wait...what? Where's Nebby?

The credibility of this poll is in question. Hopefully this will make you feel better: Nebraska Top 25

 

[Jaykay]

Kind of surprised at how few people both on here and in national media are talking about how easy our schedule looks. It's probably too soon to know but I think there are a lot of wins to be had there with @WI being the only one I have a hard time seeing us winning. I'd give us a slight edge at home vs Iowa and Michigan.

 

[Gophergrandpa]

The theme seems to be that everyone looks at our defense as a big unknown, and they'd be right. There are a lot of big shoes to fill on that side of the ball. I do believe we'll be nearly as strong as last year though (maybe a slight step back, but I wouldn't bet on a large step back), and our offense I believe will be even better. D coaching will be key.

I think that on defense we’ll have a lot less experience (obviously), but have a great deal of athleticism—maybe even a bit more than last year. Could break either way.