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We requested Minneapolis Star Tribune beat author Megan Ryan for her ideas on the Gophers going into Saturday’s Illinois-Minnesota recreation at Memorial Stadium.
What has been the native response to Minnesota’s 0-2 begin?
I feel principally loads of shock and disappointment. Coming of an 11-2 season in 2019, which was an actual nice shock for Gophers followers, there have been understandably excessive expectations for this 12 months. The offense returned all however two starters, together with a profitable quarterback and broad receiver duo in Tanner Morgan and Rashod Bateman. The protection did lose many, many starters, however the entire incoming starters had performed first rate minutes rotating in, so I figured the educational curve wouldn’t be as steep. From two video games to this point, that’s most likely the largest underestimation most Gophers followers and media made. Dropping the likes of Antoine Winfield Jr., Carter Coughlin, Kamal Martin not solely left a gap by way of talent but in addition in management.
Going into 2020, how did you assume Tanner Morgan would do?
I assumed he could be good however not so good as final 12 months, just because he has one fewer weapon in Tyler Johnson. Morgan was a type of huge surprises final season. The default starter after Zack Annexstad’s coaching camp damage who carried out himself into the unquestioned QB1. He definitely had stunningly correct video games final 12 months. However I do assume having receivers like Johnson and Bateman confirmed him in his greatest mild. It’s been a bit exhausting to evaluate the passing recreation this season, for the reason that Gophers basically deserted it late within the Maryland recreation and have gone run-heavy with Mohamed Ibrahim.
How is P.J. Fleck dealing with adversity?
That’s a bit exhausting to say. Anybody even vaguely conversant in Fleck is aware of he’s huge on his tradition, which manifests in varied catchphrases. The massive considered one of late has been “response.” Type of a common theme to 2020 for the Gophers. The crew can’t management how the pandemic has impacted the world, the outcomes already within the books. However it will possibly management the way it responds to these issues. In order that’s the main focus, transferring ahead and making an attempt to be higher. Which is all nice and idyllic however not very relatable. Dropping is tough. It’s particularly exhausting after final 12 months, although the crew claims it doesn’t imagine in momentum or one 12 months having any bearing on the subsequent. However I do know that Fleck doesn’t prefer to lose, particularly on a giant stage. And it’s most likely much more irritating when accidents or COVID-19 absences tie his fingers, because it has on particular groups, a unit that already wasn’t very constant to start out. And he doesn’t have longtime pal Kirk Ciarrocca as his proper hand anymore, as a substitute breaking in Mike Sanford Jr. as offensive coordinator. Joe Rossi took over the protection halfway via 2018, however that is the primary time competing with principally Fleck’s recruits. There’s loads of adversity on and off the sphere this 12 months, and Fleck is superb at saying the correct issues and projecting the correct mindset about it. However I feel it will be silly to imagine he’s not having only a exhausting a time as the remainder of us on this chaotic world.
Who’s one beneath the radar Gopher that Illinois followers ought to regulate?
I want you had given me a spot to wax poetic about Ibrahim and the way terrific he’s, however he’s definitely not under-the-radar. He has a pair backs behind him in Treyson Potts and Cam Wiley, who’ve taken a number of snaps behind Ibrahim’s big haul. Freshman broad receiver Daniel Jackson caught his first cross at Maryland and will grow to be a pleasant complement to Bateman and No. 2 Chris Autman-Bell. I’ve all the time thought tight finish Brevyn Spann-Ford had a ton of potential, however he hasn’t actually been in a position to present it between the rotations for his place and the system. I can’t in good conscience identify anybody on protection or particular groups, although I do admire these guys try their greatest.
Who’s going to win?
I preface each prediction I do with that face that I feel all of them are meaningless shouts into the void, a fruitless try and navigate a random and unknowable future. However anyway, I’m going Illinois 30, Gophers 24. It’s really exhausting to foresee what shenanigans will ensue when the convention’s worst protection meets the convention’s worst offense. However I hazard it gained’t be fairly. The Maryland recreation was actually telling for me. The truth that the Gophers went from favored by 20 factors to dropping by one in time beyond regulation stated an infinite quantity. So my confidence on this crew has swung pretty drastically. I wager you I’m improper, although, and so they truly win, simply to spite me.
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