Georgia Tech Football: Gophers silenced by Minnesota in Quick Lane Bowl

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 26: Mohamed Ibrahim #24 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers battles for yards during a first half run while being tackled by Tariq Carpenter #29 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field on December 26, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

2. P.J. Fleck has the Gophers trending up

P.J. Fleck was the hottest name in coaching when he took over in Minneapolis following the 2016 season. He’d taken the Western Michigan Broncos to the Cotton Bowl and made “Row the Boat” a catchphrase recognized throughout the nation.

Then came 2017. Fleck started out 5-7, only marginally improving the next year to 6-6 prior to the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl against Georgia Tech. The win against the Yellow Jackets will be instrumental toward setting the course for this program for years to come. Selling a one-game improvement is doable, but a two-game margin positions Minnesota trajectory in a much more favorable light.

Expectations for Minnesota aren’t the same as some of their fellow Big Ten members. If Fleck can climb up the latter one or two more games next season he’ll pul the Gophers in position for a 10-win season and, if things break the right way, a shot at a Big Ten East Title. That’s the level of success Fleck must sustain for his tenure to be considered a success. So far, he’s well on his way.

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