What will constitute a successful season for the Minnesota Golden Gophers?
Just a couple days away from go-time, what do the Minnesota Golden Gophers need to do to be labeled a success this upcoming season?
Multiple times on this site, I have proclaimed how I am in on P.J. Fleck as the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team. I am in on Fleck, but that doesn’t mean I think he is going to have the Gophers as an undefeated team already this season. What does Fleck and the Gophers need to do to have a ‘successful’ season?
Well, multiple things can make the season a success. As was shown in the last episode of ‘Being P.J. Fleck’, it appears that some fans would be more than fine if all the Gophers did was beat Wisconsin this season. Sure, that would be nice, but a single win over Bucky probably wouldn’t mark the season as a whole as a success.
To kick off the season, the Gophers need to go at least 2-1 in the non-conference schedule. Specifically, Minnesota needs to beat Buffalo and Middle Tennessee. I think the Gophers can beat Oregon State, too, but that loss to a fellow Power Five conference team would be acceptable.
The Gophers also need to win at least four Big Ten games to have a successful season. Minnesota plays nine conference games this season, so the minimum win total of four wouldn’t even make Minnesota a .500 team in conference to be labeled as a success. If both the non-conference and conference games go to at least the minimum win total, the Gophers will then be bowl eligible.
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To totally accomplish a successful season, Fleck and the team need to win a trophy game. The Gophers have three opportunities for trophies this season with matchups with Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. The Gophers need to have something in the trophy case in order to let fans feel good about the season.
To recap, the Gophers need to be bowl eligible and win one trophy game and I think that would be fine for Fleck’s first season. It’s achievable and I think the Gophers will do it this season.
Expectations will only wrench upwards as we get further along in Fleck’s tenure.
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