The Gophers have never had much luck in the Big Ten. At the very least, they have never really won their own share of the Big 10 since 1967. Looking at the college football championship picks, people rarely expect much from Minnesota.
And for good reason; yet, it looks like things are changing for the better for Minnesota, or at least their fortunes are starting to look up. No one can believe the fact that Minnesota actually has control of the Big Ten’s destiny.
Though, things could change on a dime considering the difficult challenges awaiting them ahead. They are almost in unfamiliar territory, boasting a piece of the lead in the Big Ten West.
If they can overcome the obstacles in the Final Stretch, they just might surprise many of their naysayers. Right now, they are tied with Wisconsin and Nebraska at the top of their division, though some people might choose to scoff at their 4-2 record.
Minnesota fans are happy that they have some hope of winning really big this time around; the Gophers will end their season with games against the Cornhuskers, Northwestern, and the Badgers.
Minnesota Fans would have preferred to close their season out at home; though, they still have some hope of coming out of their road games in one piece. They are seating comfortably on top of their overall record of 7-2.
You cannot really knock them for how well they have performed this season; the fact that they have won four straight will probably make all the difference in their future games. They should have accrued a level of confidence necessary to aid them against the tough opponents waiting ahead.
The Gophers did lose against Penn State and Iowa, which they should be faulted for. They have reasons to worry because they haven’t played a ranked team quite yet.
It is important that they keep their eyes on the prize. They still have a decent chance of actually making it to the Big ten Championship game for the first time. Things haven’t worked out well for Minnesota in the Big Ten since 1967.
The fact that they came so close in 2014 but still failed probably hurt. Their Final game just didn’t go the way they hoped. Wisconsin came out on top, denying them the opportunity to go to the Championship Game.
Minnesota Coach Tracy Claeys said that their group of impressive seniors had what it took to make the Gophers’ dreams come true. Speaking during the Big Ten Coaches Teleconference on Tuesday, Tracy said that, for the longest time, Minnesota’s goal was to simply get to November just so they would become part of the discussion.
And they played well enough to achieve that objective; they are rightly excited about the prospects November will bring. Tracy is putting all his hopes and the hopes of all their fans on his kids outperforming all expectations.
Tommy Armstrong (Nebraska) might be the piece that secures Minnesota’s victory. The Quarterback suffered a concussion in the Ohio State game that might count him out for the Minnesota game.
Minnesota needs every advantage they can get to make it to the finish line.