Practice/Try-Out Year for Defense?

[Gophergrandpa]

Fleck is opaque about COVID, injuries, etc., so this is just speculation, but it seems as though the Gophers have played a few games they might have been able to beg out of and cancel. I get the impression that some Power 5 teams have cancelled though they have less manpower shortage than the Gophers. Not aware of teams citing statistical triggers that compel a cancellation (of course there is much I am not aware because I am old and lazy). Is it possible that Fleck is using this season—every game—as much needed game-speed training and tryouts for the young defensive talent that will return in 2021 with experience, having learned through failing? In the Big Ten you must have strong, fast confident defensive players, who can shed blocks, at all three levels to compete. Are we using the full complement of games this year (despite depleted rosters) to, among other things, populate and teach a defense that will be a suitable companion to our offense, which should still be a force in 2021?

 

[#2Gopher]

Anything is possible. Works for me.