STrib: Bison fans, about 35,000 strong, ready to flood Target Field

[Pompous Elitist]

Well, there’s this now. Due to popular demand Bill C is working on preliminary SP+ ratings for FCS. Currently estimates NDSU based on recent years would be a top 40 FBS program.

 

[MplsGopher]

The Gophers have improved every year talent-wise. But, so has the rest of the competition in the B1G West. The notion at least on the periphery that the Gophers have one of the easiest schedule in the B1G may be true.

However, don't count the Illinois game as a gimmee. According to 247Sports, after a bonanza of transfers Illinois is 8th in talent level in the B1G ahead of the Gophers in 10th place. On paper, they certainly have the talent.

Lovies' Illinois team have 1 5-Star and 11 4-Star players with an average talent level rating of 84.90 and 660.43 total points. The Gophers in comparison have 0 5-Star, 5 4-Stars, 84.62 average rating, and 621.36 total points.

They were busy in the off-season in the transfer department. The key addition is former MI QB grad transfer Brandon Peters who has two years eligibility.
https://www.cbssports.com/college-f...s-illini-continue-success-in-transfer-market/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl7PArb7sNs&feature=onebox

In addition to Peters, they have 1 5-Star and 4 4-Star transfers. Five of the six transfers have immediate impact as they can play right away - https://www.si.com/college-football/2019/06/19/lovie-smith-illinois-brandon-peters-transfer

The Gophers certainly will be facing a different Illinois team talent-wise at home.

https://247sports.com/Season/2019-Football/CollegeTeamTalentComposite/?Conference=Big-Ten

Thank you for all the links and info! Will be interesting to see if Illinois proves everyone wrong this year, as most had them last in the West.

 

[hungan1]

Thank you for all the links and info! Will be interesting to see if Illinois proves everyone wrong this year, as most had them last in the West.

I am afraid that they may be the surprise team no one talks about. We shall see how well they do in non-conference play. If they are blowing away every team, the Gophers have to take notice. The Gophers cannot afford to take anyone lightly this year. It is a double edged sword having the so-called "easy" schedule.

 

[MplsGopher]

I am afraid that they may be the surprise team no one talks about. We shall see how well they do in non-conference play. If they are blowing away every team, the Gophers have to take notice. The Gophers cannot afford to take anyone lightly this year. It is a double edged sword having the so-called "easy" schedule.

Yes, good point.

Looks like Maryland might not be so "easy", either.

 

[MplsGopher]

And speaking of this thread, K-State looking good, so far, with former NDSU coach (not Bohl, the newer one).

 

[Word]

I am afraid that they may be the surprise team no one talks about. We shall see how well they do in non-conference play. If they are blowing away every team, the Gophers have to take notice. The Gophers cannot afford to take anyone lightly this year. It is a double edged sword having the so-called "easy" schedule.

Illini currently losing to UConn but lots of time left in the game.

 

[Word]

And speaking of this thread, K-State looking good, so far, with former NDSU coach (not Bohl, the newer one).

So MnplsGopher doesn't post for a year and a half and then reappears 2 days after G4L is banned... Coincidence? I think not.