I chose 8-4, with a bowl loss. However, in my mind I had to qualify the bowl loss as equating to playing a competitive game against a good team - something like a 24-20 L to a top 25 team. Here was my thought process:
1. Expectations going into this season generally had the Gophers going 7-5, or possibly even 6-6. Going 8-4 would mean that the team met and exceeded expectations going into the year. That's one brick.
2. Beating Michigan, at Michigan. We all know how long it has been since we beat the Wolverines, and it doesn't matter to me whether they are in a down year or not. Many of the W's they got were over weak Gopher teams, and nobody is discounting those as part of the streak. We have the jug, and we won it on the road which is a sign of improvement; another brick.
3. The first successful comeback win this past week over Purdue. This is another sign of improvement, especially as it relates to the mental side of the game. Another brick.
4. The defense has been relatively solid and consistent, even with multiple injuries to what most of us thought was not a deep DL squad going into the season. Another brick
5. Somewhat related to #5, we have had a number of underclassmen step up and play relatively well, especially on D and special teams. When counting redshirt sophomores, the list includes Leidner (inconsistent early, but improving as the year goes along), Jack Lynn, and Maxx (we expected him to play well, but he's still a rSO). It even looks like Jones and Wolitarsky are starting to get a few more looks, and are making some solid plays when called upon. Signs of improving talent and depth. Brick #5.
6. KJ Maye caught a TD pass! Whether that turns out to be an aberration or the start of a trend to get the JR wideout more involved, it was refreshing to see Mitch make a beautiful throw, and KJ make the kind of play we've been waiting for with that dive for the end zone. I'm counting this as another brick (#6) added to the foundation that Jerry and the team are building together.
7. Keeping the redshirts on Holland and Gentry (knock on wood). In the past at least one of these two would have been forced into action, either due to injury or weak play by the veterans. While our WR corps doesn't strike fear into opposing defenses, the core group has played well enough to allow these youngsters to have full year to learn the system and acclimate to both school and the B1G. While it's no guarantee that either player will be successful, it emulates what the consistently good programs do - redshirt talented players so that the overall depth of the team stays solid. This applies to other positions where we've kept some redshirts, but WR has been a major topic of conversation and a source of anxiety on this board. Brick #7 (this applies to the overall trend of keeping redshirts, not solely on Holland and Gentry).
8. Losing Marcus Jones and still seeing some big plays out of the KR game. Myrick is only a SO, and yet he's made an impact by showing he's a real weapon that opponents have to prepare for every week. Craig James has been solid in catching punts and not repeating mistakes. Brick #8.
So - would I be happy with 8-4 and a loss in a bowl? I can't say just yet, as it depends on how the team plays in the remaining games (and whether they stay healthy or not). But, as it stands the performance so far this season shows that this team is improved and is going in the right direction. All things considered, I'm willing to call 8-4 with a (competitive) bowl loss a success.
Go Gophers!
