Minnesota Football: 2017 game-by-game predictions
By Shane Lunnen
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
The last game of the season brings the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Wisconsin has dominated this series lately, winning 13 years in a row. Minnesota would love to finally beat their rivals and spoil a great season for the Badgers.
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By the end of the year, Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook will be having a solid season, hooking up with his primary target Jazz Peavy. Sophomore running back Bradrick Shaw should be getting the bulk of the carries out of the backfield, but don’t sleep on Pitt transfer Chris James. The offensive line should be up to typical Badger form. Can’t even think of the last year that the Badgers didn’t have a solid offensive front.
The defense looks to be as good as it was last year. It was a blow to lose linebacker Jack Cichy, but there is plenty of talent in the linebacking corps. On the defensive line, all the starters and their backups have returned, so the rush defense should not miss a beat. The secondary is returning three seniors, including safety D’Cota Dixon, which will help the Badgers build off their 22 interceptions from a year ago.
Minnesota will fight hard in this one trying to break a current season losing streak and the long series losing streak to Wisconsin. The Badgers will not be deterred though with Indianapolis looming the following week. The Gophers fall again, closing out the year on a five game losing streak.
Next: Big Ten Football: Season preview, final standings prediction
Final: Minnesota 17, Wisconsin 28 (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten)
The first year of the PJ Fleck era will be a rocky one and a step back from last year’s 9 win team. The Gophers will start well but finish the season on a sour note. They can save some face by winning their bowl game. This season will be a learning experience and there will be better years ahead for Fleck and the Gophers. Fleck is still a good hire for Minnesota, but they’ll just have to be patient.