Top 25: Saturday Blitz Final 2014 College Football Rankings

Jan 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Rodrick Williams Jr. (35) celebrates his 20-yard touchdown run with tight end Maxx Williams (88) against the Missouri Tigers in the first quarter of the 2015 Citrus Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

24. Minnesota Golden Gophers, 8-5 (5-3)

Last Game: Lost to Missouri Tigers 33-17 in the Citrus Bowl

Every year, it seems like Jerry Kill’s Minnesota Golden Gophers are continuing to make significant strides. The improvement in the record books may not show it, but it is clearly there. Although this team lost its bowl game and had a tough end to the season as well, at 8-5 wins over Nebraska and Iowa aren’t bad.

Meanwhile, losses to Wisconsin, Ohio State, TCU, and Missouri are also not bad. Unfortunately, Illinois is one loss that should have been a win, but it was on the road, and the Fighting Illini did squeak into a bowl game. With that in mind, it’s not a terrible loss, but it’s one they shouldn’t have let go.

Now the Golden Gophers could be continuing to think about the future. The Big Ten West is in transition next year with Wisconsin and Nebraska going through coaching changes. Is a West title on the horizon?

If Kill keeps this up, it just might be.

Next: No. 23 Ranked Team