Big Ten Football: 3 teams with the most to prove in 2020

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Tanner Morgan, Minnesota football (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

2. Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are coming off of their best season since 2003. Their 11 wins and finish in the top 25 are all firsts since that season. In year three of the “PJ Fleck Experience”, many people in Gopher Nation believe this is not a one year wonder.

The Gophers were phenomenal on both sides of the ball last season. Quarterback Tanner Morgan threw for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, Rodney Smith ran for over 1,100 yards and both Rashad Bateman and Tyler Johnson had over 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.

Antoine Winfield Jr. was the star on a defense made of blue-collar players. Their stellar season ended with a win over the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl.

If the Golden Gophers are to prove last season was the start of a run and not a blip on the radar, there are several questions they have to answer.

Johnson is off to the NFL leaving Bateman without his mate in the receiving corps — they had the overwhelming majority of the receptions for the Gophers in 2019. Morgan had 210 completions; Bateman and Johnson had 146 receptions — that’s 69.5 percent of his completions. The Gophers did not have another receiver with more than 30 catches. Who steps up to replace that production?

They also need to replace Smith’s 1,100-plus rushing yards.

Defensively, Winfield Jr. was the heart and soul of that defense. Not only do they have to replace his production, but they also have to replace his leadership. They need to find a more consistent pass rush which was their only real weakness last season.

There is an opportunity for Minnesota to take the next step and play for a conference title. Perennial power Wisconsin has to replace a lot on defense as well as Jonathan Taylor’s production.

Iowa has to figure out QB1 and they lose some key linemen on both sides of the ball. Minnesota loses some key guys, but they also return a ton. This could be the year the Gophers prove there are teams ready to catch the Badgers in the West.

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