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Minnesota Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 19: Rodney Smith #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter of the game on November 19, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 19: Rodney Smith #1 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter of the game on November 19, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota football enters the 2017 season with updated expectations with a new head coach in place.

It’s been quite the year for Minnesota football. Heck, it’s been quite the past two years for the Golden Gophers as they’ve gone from Jerry Kill to Tracy Claeys and now they employ P.J. Fleck at the head coach position.

While the Golden Gophers let Claeys go in 2016, it wasn’t due to lack of success on the gridiron. In fact, he was let go amid plenty of controversy off the field and hiring Fleck was arguably the best move in the Big Ten during the offseason. He was one of the best Group of Five coaches in the nation and has high hopes for the program.

Fleck turned Western Michigan into a national contender just a few years after the Broncos were bottom-dwellers in the MAC. Moreover, the Broncos made it to the Cotton Bowl against Wisconsin in 2016 under his leadership, coming just one touchdown short of a New Year’s Six upset. However, he will get more cracks at the Badgers now that he’s in their division.

Last season, Claeys led the Gophers to a 9-4 record and a trip to the Holiday Bowl against Washington State and, surprisingly, they pulled off the mini upset. The Cougars were known for their electrifying offense, but the Gophers held them to just 12 points.

Can Fleck turn the Gophers into a Big Ten contender year after year? He’s taking over a talented team and 10 wins isn’t out of the question in year one.

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