Two B1G Teams that could Surprise

[SWIowahawks_rivals44758]

It’s a boring time of year so I’ve been watching 2018 games and seeing what teams have coming back.

Indiana returns 15 starters from a team that was close to bowl eligibility in 2018. Yet only went 2-7 in the conference but lost a string of one TD games, including being within a score at Michigan with 3 minutes left.
They will return a healthy QB competition with some good returning experience. Looking at their schedule makes me so glad Iowa isn’t in the East.

Minnesota was the youngest team in the country last year. Fleck fires his defensive coordinator and allowed only 59 points in the final four games. Comfortable wins against Purdue, Wisconsin, and Georgia Tech in that stretch. They too will have a healthy QB competition with Annexstad and Morgan, who went 4-2 as a starter to finish the season. They arguably have the easiest schedule in the West with Maryland, Rutgers, and PSU as the crossovers. Penn State is at home.

 

[John_J_Rambo]

my pick is Nebraska

 

[Redscarlet]

Gophers could very well be unbeaten by the time Nebraska visits Minneapolis in October..

 

[huskerfan1414]

I dont like fleck but minny will be formidable.

 

[SWIowahawks_rivals44758]

my pick is Nebraska

I’m hoping to keep away from the normal Neb/Iowa pissing match by bringing up other teams.

I dislike Fleck more than any coach in the Big Ten but he might be forming a solid team in Minnesota. They have Wisconsin, Nebraska, Penn State coming to Minneapolis this fall. I could easily see them winning 9 regular season games.

 

[SWIowahawks_rivals44758]

Gophers could very well be unbeaten by the time Nebraska visits Minneapolis in October..

Heck, they could be anywhere from 8-0 to 6-2 when they get Penn State at home. I’m talking myself into adding Minnesota over 6.5 wins into my parlay with Illinois over 3 and Indiana over 6.

 

[John_J_Rambo]

why all the Fleck hate? he's good looking & excited about football

 

[Cidsports]

It’s a boring time of year so I’ve been watching 2018 games and seeing what teams have coming back.

Indiana returns 15 starters from a team that was close to bowl eligibility in 2018. Yet only went 2-7 in the conference but lost a string of one TD games, including being within a score at Michigan with 3 minutes left.
They will return a healthy QB competition with some good returning experience. Looking at their schedule makes me so glad Iowa isn’t in the East.

Minnesota was the youngest team in the country last year. Fleck fires his defensive coordinator and allowed only 59 points in the final four games. Comfortable wins against Purdue, Wisconsin, and Georgia Tech in that stretch. They too will have a healthy QB competition with Annexstad and Morgan, who went 4-2 as a starter to finish the season. They arguably have the easiest schedule in the West with Maryland, Rutgers, and PSU as the crossovers. Penn State is at home.

In the Year 1967, last time either team won a share of the Big Ten in Football.

 

[mgbreeze]

My personal take on Fleck is that he deals in the type of rah, rah BS that kids eventually tune out. I predict they have a worse season than everyone thinks. I think Ferentz is overrated but I at least respect the guy and can see why kids give him their best. Every time I see Fleck I roll my eyes.

 

[timnsun]

My personal take on Fleck is that he deals in the type of rah, rah BS that kids eventually tune out. I predict they have a worse season than everyone thinks. I think Ferentz is overrated but I at least respect the guy and can see why kids give him their best. Every time I see Fleck I roll my eyes.

I somewhat agree, but what he has going for him is constant turnover so he can stay relatively fresh with new incoming players from year to year.

His schtick wouldn’t work in the NFL. Not one bit.

 

[phoenix4nu]

why all the Fleck hate? he's good looking & excited about football

Maybe he would let you row his boat.

 

[huskerssalts]

Hmm, fair enough. Let’s keep this away from a Huskers vs Iowa pissing match at all costs. I think Minnesota is the sleeper team to make to the BIG title game. Man they got a super cupcake schedule with cream filling even. They have a solid team and Fleck, as much as he’s disliked on this board, is a decent Head Coach. Minnesota could very well pull off what Northwestern did last year and sneak into the BIG title game while the Huskers, Wisconsin and Iowa beat each other up and down.

 

[John_J_Rambo]

Maybe he would let you row his boat.

LOL!!! hilarious

best looking coaches in the B1G:
1. Scott Frost
2. PJ Fleck

14. Kirk Ferentz

 

[Kato]

Maybe he would let you row his boat.

Or just play with his oar! Laughing

 

[ThrowBones92]

It’s a boring time of year so I’ve been watching 2018 games and seeing what teams have coming back.

Indiana returns 15 starters from a team that was close to bowl eligibility in 2018. Yet only went 2-7 in the conference but lost a string of one TD games, including being within a score at Michigan with 3 minutes left.
They will return a healthy QB competition with some good returning experience. Looking at their schedule makes me so glad Iowa isn’t in the East.

Minnesota was the youngest team in the country last year. Fleck fires his defensive coordinator and allowed only 59 points in the final four games. Comfortable wins against Purdue, Wisconsin, and Georgia Tech in that stretch. They too will have a healthy QB competition with Annexstad and Morgan, who went 4-2 as a starter to finish the season. They arguably have the easiest schedule in the West with Maryland, Rutgers, and PSU as the crossovers. Penn State is at home.

Minnesota has the potential to win a lot of games this year. Their offense should be a nightmare to stop, and they're only getting better. Regardless of how you feel about Fleck, he's improving the program in Minneapolis.

 

[Baxter48_rivals204143]

Heck, they could be anywhere from 8-0 to 6-2 when they get Penn State at home. I’m talking myself into adding Minnesota over 6.5 wins into my parlay with Illinois over 3 and Indiana over 6.

I’m not sold on fleck, like another poster said he’s Cheerleader guy which gets old fast. And just because they were young sometimes that young player has peaked won’t improve. I’m going with Perdue and Indiana

 

[SWIowahawks_rivals44758]

I’m not sold on fleck, like another poster said he’s Cheerleader guy which gets old fast. And just because they were young sometimes that young player has peaked won’t improve. I’m going with Perdue and Indiana

I think that’s where we will find it what kind of coach he is. Will that youth develope into winning talent?

Some of the recruiting tactics of Fleck are different. Stories of him locking doors and flipping over an hour glass and forcing commitments are odd.

 

[kikdakan]

I’m not sold on fleck, like another poster said he’s Cheerleader guy which gets old fast. And just because they were young sometimes that young player has peaked won’t improve. I’m going with Perdue and Indiana

someone may be able to correct me, but, seems like i heard that even some tc's sportswriters are tired of his "shtick"----but, they do think he is a very good coach. so, they just accept it. imo, the thing i think fleck is adept at is recruiting that player that will fight for him thru thick and thin. it's been posted before that fleck has even stated he is not for everyone. now, whether it has them climbing the ladder, only time will tell. BUT, i don't think he recruits players that are gonna bail. they get it and will fight for him till the end. i don't know if they win the west during his tenure, but, wouldn't surprise me if they have a season, or more, where they are right there. guess time will prove whether i am right or wrong. jmo.

 

[huskerssalts]

I’m just sick and tired of hearing about OSU, Michigan and PSU. I’m just glad to see Wisconsin, Iowa, Huskers and even Purdue making noise in recruiting. Having the Badgers, Hawkeyes and Huskers recruiting at a higher level will help the west to close that gap with the East and help our division to win a few BIG titles. We already know Martinez will help turn the Huskers into legit contenders...now Wisconsin got Mertz and he should help bring the Badger offense a long and instead of them being just a run powered team, they can be multi dimensional and that will give defenses fits. Iowa has a decent 4 star QB that could help them do the same. It’s funny...QBs could be the position that helps the West win more BIG titles.

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

I look at Fleck sprinting upright along the sidelines dressed to a tee, it reminds me of a butler of some billionaire running with a tray of drinks aloft.
But, the butler brings enthusiasm and gets alot out of his players and calls a good game.
He will be a problem until/if or when he wears out his welcome.

 

[Cidsports]

I look at Fleck sprinting upright along the sidelines dressed to a tee, it reminds me of a butler of some billionaire running with a tray of drinks aloft.
But, the butler brings enthusiasm and gets alot out of his players and calls a good game.
He will be a problem until/if or when he wears out his welcome.

His tie, likely to be tucked under a maroon-and-gold windbreaker, is an homage to two influential coaches in his trek to Dinkytown: former San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan and former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. After being a part of Nolan’s 49ers for two seasons, Fleck was a low-level graduate assistant for Tressel at Ohio State in 2006.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” Fleck said, “and my job is to represent the people that got me here.”

 

[NorthwoodHusker]

His tie, likely to be tucked under a maroon-and-gold windbreaker, is an homage to two influential coaches in his trek to Dinkytown: former San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan and former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. After being a part of Nolan’s 49ers for two seasons, Fleck was a low-level graduate assistant for Tressel at Ohio State in 2006.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” Fleck said, “and my job is to represent the people that got me here.”

That in itself explains some of his antics,his culture,and who makes his cut regarding recruits.
Someday, Fleck has to grow, maybe to smudge.

 

[VictoryRed]

Minnesota had a impressive run at the end of last year. Fleck has been a good coach and so far he's improving the Gophers to be a solid team.