STrib: Gophers in line for shot at West Division crown with three consecutive wins

[BleedGopher]

per Joe:

When Tracy Claeys hit the speaking circuit last offseason, he told fans the Gophers football program had reached a point where it should be in contention for a Big Ten West title every November.

So far, the second-year coach is making good on that promise.

Saturday’s 40-17 victory at Illinois, coupled with Wisconsin’s overtime victory over Nebraska pulled the Gophers within one game of the Cornhuskers in the West Division. Minnesota is part of a four-team, second-place logjam that also includes Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern.

“A lot of teams play in November, and the games don’t mean anything,” Claeys said Sunday. “It’s nice to be in this position. And now, hopefully, we’ve got to do things well enough to take advantage of it.”

http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...-crown-with-three-consecutive-wins/399254151/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

 

[beavergopher]

Enjoy the Purdue game!

 

[MNVCGUY]

Classic. That is the beauty of the division system in that it keeps teams in the mix far longer then if everyone is lumped together. As we get ready to start November there are 3 teams in the East still in the hunt and 5 teams in the West. If Indiana and Maryland played in the West they would also be in the mix but playing in the East there is almost zero chance that Michigan loses 3 games.

6 teams are already bowl eligible and 4 others have a great shot to get there over the next few weeks. Purdue is an extreme long shot and Illinois, Michigan State, and Rutgers can all start looking ahead to next year.