Monday, October 2, 2023

Michigan Monday: Too Early Look at Minnesota

Michigan hits the road for the second straight Saturday this week as they take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the oldest trophy in college football, The Little Brown Jug.  Let's take a quick glance at PJ Fleck's squad:


Record: 3-2
Best Win: Nebraska 
Worst Loss: Northwestern 

This version of "Row the Boat" is having a hard time leaving the dock.  The Golden Gophers struggled at home against Louisiana last week after losing a huge lead the week before to Northwestern.  Quick trivia question: Do you know who caught the final play TD for Northwestern to tie Minnesota and take the game to OT (with the extra point)?  I think many of you probably would've guessed AJ Henning and you would be correct. 

Pass: 149 yards per (125th)
Run: 193.3 (33rd)
Score: 24 (98th)
Give up: 21.6 (45th)

None of those stats jump out at you at being overly impressive.  Yes, they run the ball for nearly 200 per game but their passing attack doesn't strike fear into opposing defenses.   Minnesota is what they always have been, a running football team that struggles to find the top of the Big Ten West.  

  • Anyone think that Nico Collins would become a star with CJ Stroud throwing to him?  Nico went for 168 yards and 2 TD's yesterday against Pittsburg. 
  • JJ is #1 in QBR for all College QB's
  • Let's hope there is positive injury news in Harbaugh's presser and Radio Show today. 

3 comments:

Booth said...

Pittsburgh

Chowman said...

PJs been rowing with 1 oar for a little while now. MN is one of those programs that is only going to go so far. They are in the same boat (pun intended) as Northwestern, Indiana, Purdue to name a few. They'll always have a hard ceiling and should be satisfied with collecting the B1G revenue sharing check!

Victor in AA said...

Good to have Clemons back and with a catch to boot. You can't developmentally coach big and fast- either you have it or you don't.