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I watched a good deal of Minnesota for the first time this season. PJ is basically running the same blueprint. Time of possession, wearing teams down with a superior offensive line. Going to have a little more trouble doing that in upcoming games given the opponents, but I wonder why everyone continues to doubt the guy. They may not win anything this year, but they are on their way. I don't know how anyone could watch them and not see it. They are physical, execute at a high level, and they minimize mistakes. These things help you win football games.

As I have posted both my parents were born in Minnesota and so all my relatives were from there (even though I was born in Green Bay).

So I have always rooted for the Gophers regardless of who coach is. Watch them whenever I can.

No question they have improved-are playing better football.

But they haven't played the best teams in the Big Ten.

Could they win out?

Maybe - they get Ped State and Wisky at home.

They also play at Iowa and Northwestern, both of whom are struggling to score.

There's a definite possibility they could get to 10+ wins with bowl game.

But if they get to Big Ten championship game they will likely be exposed by Ohio State.

Reality.

Thought this was interesting tidbit from the game this weekend. The announcers were talking about the recruits that Fleck took with him to Minnesota that were committed to WMU. One announcer says "are we OK with this?" seemingly understanding that it's kind of BS. The other guy goes "It shoes that psychology that Fleck can do with guys that are supposed to be playing in the MAC and how he can get them to play up in the BIG."

What the ****! That 16 WMU team would have dominated many of the teams in the BIG (and they did!). It's so frustrating the lack of the respect the top end talent in the MAC gets.

(10-27-2019 01:48 PM)StrikeGold1 Wrote:  Thought this was interesting tidbit from the game this weekend. The announcers were talking about the recruits that Fleck took with him to Minnesota that were committed to WMU. One announcer says "are we OK with this?" seemingly understanding that it's kind of BS. The other guy goes "It shoes that psychology that Fleck can do with guys that are supposed to be playing in the MAC and how he can get them to play up in the BIG."

What the ****! That 16 WMU team would have dominated many of the teams in the BIG (and they did!). It's so frustrating the lack of the respect the top end talent in the MAC gets.

"dominated many of the teams in BIG (and they did!)"

Seriously?

We beat Northwestern by one when they fumbled going in for TD with ~minute to go.

NU lost at home to FCS Western Illinois the next week, finished 7-6.

We beat Illinois who was 3-9.

Yes, we played Wisky tough in Cotton Bowl but didn't win much less "dominate" them.

A Badger team who lost to U-M, OSU, and Ped State that year.

Quote:We beat Northwestern by one when they fumbled going in for TD with ~minute to go.

We dominated the game "on paper" though. But yes, we almost blew it at the end.

Quote:NU lost at home to FCS Western Illinois the next week, finished 7-6.

That was Illinois State, who is many years a high-end player in FCS. Due to that loss they ended up 6-6, but won their bowl game to make themselves 7-6.

*And they lost to Akron last year before winning their B1G Division.

(10-27-2019 03:43 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:We beat Northwestern by one when they fumbled going in for TD with ~minute to go.

We dominated the game "on paper" though. But yes, we almost blew it at the end.

Quote:NU lost at home to FCS Western Illinois the next week, finished 7-6.

That was Illinois State, who is many years a high-end player in FCS. They due to that loss they ended up 6-6, but won their bowl game to make themselves 7-6.

Yes, Illinois State, thanks for correction-good catch.

My bad.

(10-27-2019 03:43 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  

Quote:We beat Northwestern by one when they fumbled going in for TD with ~minute to go.

We dominated the game "on paper" though. But yes, we almost blew it at the end.

Quote:NU lost at home to FCS Western Illinois the next week, finished 7-6.

That was Illinois State, who is many years a high-end player in FCS. Due to that loss they ended up 6-6, but won their bowl game to make themselves 7-6.

*And they lost to Akron last year before winning their B1G Division.

Last year wasn't 2016.

But maybe you were trying to show how weak Big Ten-West that Fleck's Gophers are in is.

THey'll beat one of Ped St and Wisconsin. If it's Wisconsin, they'll be playing Ohio St this year. PJF will get an upset; he's gotten upsets in the past.

Competition hasn't been the toughest the Big 10 has to offer, but it's hard to go 8-0, especially b/c many thought he'd lose this year to Nebraska or Purdue.

Chances he gets hired away?

Quote:Last year wasn't 2016.

I know, but I'm showing how NW, even when good, is beatable by a decent MAC or even good FCS team. To be fair, Akron early on last year was pretty decent, but all it took were some injuries for them to later crumble.

Quote:But maybe you were trying to show how weak Big Ten-West that Fleck's Gophers are in is.

Wisconsin was in a re-loading year, Iowa beyond their D is too inconsistent and not good enough to dominate, and Nebraska with their new coach can threaten a good B1G team, but can certainly lose to just about anyone too.

Yes, it is the weaker division. But at the same time, NW can be having a good year and a good team to beat + beatable by a good MAC team.

Quote:THey'll beat one of Ped St and Wisconsin. If it's Wisconsin, they'll be playing Ohio St this year. PJF will get an upset; he's gotten upsets in the past.

Yes, true. Upsets are definitely possible, as Minn has shown Improvement week to week. But they have 3 of their toughest games out of the remaining 4 games:

- Penn State (only team who seemingly could beat Ohio State)
- @Iowa (tough to win at)
- Wisconsin (which Wisc will want revenge)

I'd expect them to go 1-2 in this. Would not be shocked at 0-3. Would be surprised if they went 2-1. Would be very very shocked if they went 3-0 (while also beating @NW too, who sucks this year).

An ESPN Bowl Projection has PJ in the Orange Bowl

Also, all bowl projections I've seen continue to have WMU :)

Quote:Also, all bowl projections I've seen continue to have WMU :)

Yeah, for us to be eligible, we'd only need to win 1 out of the next 3 (reasonably tough) games.

However, there likely will be a shortage of 6-6 teams allowed in this year. But we'll have a leg up over Miami & CMU (and 1 of BSU/Ohio/NIU) if they're all 6-6 within our own conference, too.

Off top of my head by scanning the standings, is my guess of teams per conference who will end up being bowl-eligible where there's 39 bowls (78 teams to be taken in):
AAC (7)
ACC (10)
B12 (7)
B1G (10)
CUSA (7)
IND (2)
MW (7)
P12 (9)
SEC (8)
SUN (6)
= 73 teams
+ MAC (8)
= 80 teams

Most likely a MAC team will not be allowed in + Liberty or Sun Belt team. If Liberty goes 6-6, any MAC team will be above them (Liberty played 2 FCS teams + NM State twice).

I'm guessing Miami-OH @ 6-6 will be left out again. :)