I think there's a good argument that the 2016 Offense was no better than 2015, and maybe not as good. Total yards were about the same in both years (~4,600+ yds). The main difference was that 2015 was a more balance Offense between running and passing. Limegrover's offense threw the ball about 100 more times in 2015 and totaled more yards passing as a result. Johnson's offense was much more run heavy with zone schemes as opposed to Power run emphasized by Limegrover. Average yards per rush were almost identical at 4.2 yds/carry in 2015 vs 4.3 yds/carry in 2016. And, Mitch L was used more as a runner in 2016 in zone read to take pressure off the running backs whereas Limegrover was afraid to get Mitch hurt. I would also say that Rodney Smith made more yards out of nothing that in his freshman year, probably b/c he seemed more suited to the zone scheme than Power gap scheme runs.
And you don't suppose playing TCU, Michigan, and Ohio State impacted scoring versus playing Oregon St, Rutgers, and Maryland? Not to mention the Gophers scored 58 on Indiana St, far more than any game scoring in 2015.
The Gophers Offense ranked 107th out of 128 programs. Part of that admittedly is style of play, but it's not good.
Oh, you got me. He did say 8-10 (talking about the regular season), but he also said this is "our best team", that they'd be disappointed if they weren't vying for the West in late November, and that the winner of the division would possibly have 2 losses. Unless he expected to lose to Oregon St, Indiana St, or Colorado St, that would seem to suggest that the worst they could do to win the West would be 10-2.
Probably b/c it's extremely rare for any coach to predict a win total, or even a range. Not smart.
They didn't beat Wisconsin and a win wouldn't have gotten them to Indianapolis as Claeys referred to on a few occasions. And, I don't believe that Division ties are officially recognized as "co-champs". I didn't hear of Ohio State being referred to as co-champs of the East though they were tied in the division standing with Penn St.
That doesn't make it smart b/c no one will care if it was accurate unless you fail to achieve the prediction. Then they will care a lot.
dpodoll responding in 3, 2, 1...
My posts on this thread were about the performance of the Offense in 2016 vs 2015 until someone took offense to my misquoting Claeys about the number of wins he expected this year. And, that had the Offense performed better that they may have very well achieve a division championship. It was a side comment, but believe what you want.
So you're saying if the Gophers had lost to Rutgers and Oregon St to finish 6-6, no one would've brought up the fact that he predicted 8-10 wins and would've likely lost his job on that basis alone?