Ranking the BT based on predators and prey (12. Minnesota)

per Purdue Exponent:

12. Minnesota

The gopher has plenty of energy. Almost like a gopher who drank a few Red Bulls and did some extra dam building. But does Goldy Gopher have any bite? Its place on the food chain fluctuates a lot, and that hasn’t changed under new coach PJ Fleck. He talks and recruits a great game. His team lost four of its last five and was outscored 70-0 in its last two.

Coach: P.J. Fleck, second year, 5-7

2017: 5-7, (2-7, sixth)

Returning starters: 12 (5 offense, 6 defense, 1 kicker)

Overall: P.J. (Perpetually Juiced) Fleck stormed into the Big Ten last season but stirred little more than a small breeze. His roster remains deathly thin in both lines and in high-powered skill players. That’s a difficult combo to overcome.

Offense: No quarterback and almost all WRs have yet to play in a college game. Touted juco transfer quarterback Vic Viramontes bolted after spring practice. Good thing tailback Rodney Smith is back for his senior year. Big Ten rank: 12

Defense: Last year’s unit was 30th nationally. But the D-line and secondary were shredded by graduation. MLB Thomas Barber is an all-league candidate and S Antoine Winfield is back from injury. Big Ten rank: 12

Coaching: It’s time to get past Fleck’s style and look at the results. His two Big Ten victories were over Illinois and Nebraska. UM beat only one team that finished with a winning record, after Fleck took over a nine-win team. Big Ten rank: 11

Intangibles: Even the ever-bubbly Fleck had trouble putting a smiley face on last year’s final two losses to Northwestern and Wisconsin by a combined 70-0. But he has recruited well, which is the Gophers’ true hope of moving up. Big Ten rank: 12

Coachspeak: “We have a very youthful, very young, very inexperienced football team, which doesn’t necessarily mean we can’t win. We’re going to rely heavily on our young players to play, and make plays.”

Prediction: 5-7, 2-7, no bowl

https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/national/article_758e5f22-0847-5744-bb34-465fa9a1aadc.html

Go Gophers!!

BleedGopher said:

per Purdue Exponent:



P.J. (Perpetually Juiced) Fleck

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Nailed It!

I thought it was going to be based on the mascots as predators, which would put the Buckeyes dead last.

It is fine to be underestimated. Last year was all about culture change and players buying in. In fact to the point he was able to put oars on the helmets. He had to put together a staff quickly and has a year to fine tune his staff. He didn't bring back Rhoda or play Croft to win games.

This year it begins to be about wins whether he will admit it or not. We will have a much improved season. One we can enjoy.

RodentRampage said:

I thought it was going to be based on the mascots as predators, which would put the Buckeyes dead last.

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Wouldn't it put the Hoosiers dead last? It isn't even a noun, it's a beginning of a question.

I stopped reading at this:

Almost like a gopher who drank a few Red Bulls and did some extra dam building.

Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0 said:

Wouldn't it put the Hoosiers dead last? It isn't even a noun, it's a beginning of a question.

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I always thought a Hoosier was just any person from Indiana. I think Joe Average from Indiana could defeat a nut from a tree. But it might be close.