– Last Updated on July 25, 2018 10:36 am
2018 Football Preview – Big Ten – Golden Gophers
Looking for 2018 Minnesota Golden Gophers predictions? The Golden Gophers enter the second year of the Row The Boat culture with PJ Fleck in charge. There was a lot of turnover that resulted in the Gophers missing out on a bowl game. Coach Fleck has said this year is going to be better so can they live up to the expectations.
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2018-18 College Football Preview – Minnesota Golden Gophers
Head Coach: PJ Fleck
2017 Record: 5-7
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Odds to win the 2018 FBS Championship: +60000
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Will this be the year the Golden Gophers find their quarterback of the future?
2018 Minnesota Golden Gophers Predictions: Team Strengths
Dynamic Backfield: Even with Shannon Brooks out, the strength of this team is still the backfield let by Rodney Smith.
Last year splitting carries he ran for 977 yards and three touchdowns. He wasn’t the goal line back but he has also shown he can be.
Two years ago he ran for 1158 yards and 16 touchdowns when he was more the feature back. He should have no issue having a huge year, especially when he should get at least 7- percent from the touches.
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Behind him there are still a lot of questions but one of the younger guys should be able to step up and fill in the second spot.
Low Expectations.: PJ Fleck has stressed to the media all winter that the Golden Gophers are building a championship contender, but it isn’t going to happen overnight.
This is what Fleck consider year one because this is really his first recruiting class, and I would expect some growing pains early.
This team is good enough for a bowl game, but more then that can’t be expected. With those type of expectations, the players can really grow.
2018 Minnesota Golden Gophers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Not many upperclassmen: When a new coach comes in that usually means a lot of transfers early on and that has really hurt the depth of PJ Fleck’s squad.
They don’t have many upperclassmen which means they are going to be a lot of growing pains early. In the end the players being young now will be a strength, but this year it could be frustrating for Gopher fans.
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Who’s the Quarterback: Although it might not be a weakness more of a question is who will be the starting quarterback.
They have a couple underclassmen and a JUCO transfer competing for the job but whoever does end up with the job will be taking his first snap in College when he starts opening day.
Last year there was a quarterback controversy all year and that can’t be the case this year. Fleck needs to make a decision and stick with it.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction: 6-6
The Golden Gophers should be able to compete this year, but how many wins that actually turns into is the big question.
Having a young quarterback is always a struggle and I think that will end up costing them a few games.
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The Gophers will make a bowl game but it will be close maybe even coming down to the final couple of weeks. This will be the year that Fleck gets his first bowl game berth with the Golden Gophers.
2018 Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Schedule
- Aug. 30 New Mexico State
- Sept. 8 Fresno State
- Sept. 15 Miami University
- Sept. 22 at Maryland
- Sept. 29 OPEN DATE
- Oct. 6 Iowa
- Oct. 13 at Ohio State
- Oct. 20 at Nebraska
- Oct. 26 Indiana
- Nov. 3 at Illinois
- Nov. 10 Purdue
- Nov. 17 Northwestern
- Nov. 24 at Wisconsin
What do you think about our 2018 Minnesota Golden Gophers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2018!
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