Last year (Fleck's second year) on Oct. 26 (a Friday), Minnesota defeated Indiana 38-31 (hmmm) to move to 4-4. They quickly lost 55-31 to Illinois, but finished the regular season winning two of three, including a humiliation of Wisconsin in a season-ending rivalry game as well as a win against a fading Purdue team. They then humbled Georgia Tech in the Quick Lane Bowl in front of a few hundred mildly interested spectators.
Since then, the Gophers have ridden a cupcake-laden schedule to an 8-0 start and a No. 13 ranking. They may finish losing three of four, but it's not a bad aspirational model for the Huskers, even if it's not as likely:
Now Fleck did it by removing his DC and instilling greater toughness in his team. He has a stable of good, experienced running backs, too, but you can see what I'm shooting for here.
LET'S BE LIKE THE 2018-19 GOPHERS!
Since then, the Gophers have ridden a cupcake-laden schedule to an 8-0 start and a No. 13 ranking. They may finish losing three of four, but it's not a bad aspirational model for the Huskers, even if it's not as likely:
- get to 6-6 somehow
- Beat Purdue
- Win another game (a win against Iowa seems far-fetched, so let's just beat Maryland)
- Use the bowl practices to get healthy
- Drum some sad ACC team in Detroit
- Open next year with seven straight wins: Purdue, Central Michigan, South Dakota State, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Illinois, Rutgers.
- Our last five: @Ohio State, Penn State, @Iowa, @ Wisconsin, Minnesota.
Now Fleck did it by removing his DC and instilling greater toughness in his team. He has a stable of good, experienced running backs, too, but you can see what I'm shooting for here.
LET'S BE LIKE THE 2018-19 GOPHERS!
