Minnesota Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

After one of the best seasons in Minnesota football history, what can PJ Fleck and the Gophers do for an encore in 2020?

Coming off its first double-digit win season since 2003, Minnesota might not know how to handle the pressure of expectations.

Luckily, head coach PJ Fleck is ready to carry those goals.

The Golden Gophers hadn’t had an 11-plus win season since 1904 as members of the Western Conference, the predecessor of the Big Ten. For some reference, college football powers such as Florida, Oregon, Miami and USC hadn’t even begun playing Division 1 football. It was programs like Yale, Harvard and Chicago that ran the sport.

So it’s safe to say it’s been a while. Fast forward to present day.

Minnesota hasn’t even played a game yet, but there’s been a roller coaster of emotions already. The “will we-won’t we” of the 2020 season came to an end when the Big Ten decided to postpone football. That same day, star wide receiver Rashod Bateman opted out to prepare for the NFL.

Then, on Sept. 16, the conference reversed course and the Big Ten’s return was confirmed. That was shortly followed by the return of Bateman, who had decided to opt back in.

It’s been a whirlwind, but now we’re finally ready for some football.

Minnesota reruns some great talent, but also must find replacements for two of the best Gophers last season: receiver Tyler Johnson and unanimous All American Antoine Winfield Jr.

Minnesota loses BYU from the original schedule, and given how the Cougars have looked this season, that might be a good thing. The Gophers also avoid Ohio State and Penn State in crossover games.