Minnesota Golden Gophers:
P.J. Fleck is back for his eighth year as Minnesota’s coach, whether he likes it or not. Fleck has been trying to escape Minneapolis, according to reports, and threw his hat in the ring for the UCLA job, among others. The Golden Gophers put together consecutive 9-4 seasons in 2021 and 2022 before regressing to 6-7 last year. Minnesota won only five games in the regular season yet was allowed to go bowling because it had the top Academic Progress Rate of the five-win teams, so it pays for players to go to class.
Offense
Darius Taylor became a star as a freshman, rushing for 208 yards to power the Gophers past Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl. Taylor missed five games with a leg injury before carrying the ball 35 times in the bowl. The ground attack is always the foundation for Fleck’s offenses. Max Brosmer is the new quarterback to replace Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred to Rutgers. Brosmer was a highly successful passer at New Hampshire, where he led the FCS level by throwing for 3,464 yards in addition to 29 touchdowns. Daniel Jackson, who led the Gophers with 59 receptions and eight touchdowns, returns to be Brosmer’s primary target. Four senior starters return on the line, so Minnesota should be potent offensively if Brosmer adjusts well to the Big Ten.
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Defense
Senior middle linebacker Cody Lindenberg is one of the league’s best at his position. The defense returns several other veterans, including end Jah Joyner, who had 7.5 sacks a year ago. Fleck had to change coordinators when Joe Rossi left for Michigan State, and the new DC is Corey Hetherman from the Rutgers staff. Minnesota should be much improved after allowing an average of 35.3 points in losses to Illinois, Purdue, Ohio State and Wisconsin at the tail end of last season.
Outlook
Fleck is riding a five-game bowl winning streak. The Gophers should start 3-0 by beating North Carolina, Rhode Island and Nevada prior to the conference opener against Iowa. It’s a relatively tough league schedule that excludes Indiana, Northwestern and Purdue and concludes with Penn State and Wisconsin. The win total is the right number because this looks like a team that will win either five or six games. The lean is to the Over, but it’s not a recommended bet.
Pick: Over 5.5 Wins
