Confident PJ Fleck Says Doubters are Sleeping on the Minnesota Gophers

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PJ Fleck, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Gophers

Nobody really knows what to think about the 2024 Minnesota Gophers football team, as we sit exactly one week out from their first game, next Thursday, vs the North Carolina Tar Heels. This is a massive season for PJ Fleck’s career and his legacy in Dinkytown.

Questions surround 2024 Minnesota Gophers

Last year was a 6-7 disaster. With Mohamad Ibrahim out of eligibility, the Gophers quickly found their next phenom running back, in Darius Taylor, but struggled to move the ball without him. That was a problem, being he played just six games, due to an injury plagued true freshman season.

Their 2023 starting quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis, is now the QB1 for Kirk Ciarrocca at Rutgers, replaced by graduate transfer Max Brosmer, out of FCS New Hampshire. The Gophers’ longtime defensive coordinator, Joe Rossi, is now the DC at Michigan State.

Related: Vikings Sign Minnesota Gophers GOAT

All of this unknown has led to widespread doubt over whether or not Minnesota can compete in the new Big Ten, which no longer coats their conference schedule with weaker, West division teams.

They opened the CFB betting season with an over/under win total of just 4.5 games. Most college football experts have them dragging at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, come December.

PJ Fleck’s Gophers planning to surprise the college football world?

And if you think PJ Fleck doesn’t hear that, you are very wrong. Thursday, while speaking with KFAN at the MN State Fair, the Minnesota Gophers head coach made it very clear that the country is sleeping on a very good football team, in Dinkytown.

“This is probably our deepest draft class that we’ve had in the eight years we’ve been here, at every position. And it’s gonna be exciting to see how this all comes together, in this new Big Ten. I really like our football team, and I like our chances. I know I sound like broken record, I’ve stood up here and been really honest every single year and I think a lot of people aren’t thinking we’re gonna be very good. I like this football team, I don’t necessarily see that piece.”

“We lost in the final second of two games, and then people say, ‘ohh they just went 6-7, and now people wrote us off. So it’s gonna be interesting. I know that the the mindset in the building is 1-0 every single day, and they’re an incredibly connected football team that is really really talented.”

PJ Fleck – Gopher Football Weekly w/PJ Fleck (KFAN)

Where is Fleck’s confidence coming from?

What’s with all the confidence? Well, there are a couple things. As PJ mentions in this interview, the Minnesota
Gophers have 16 of 17 eligible starters returning on offense. That includes possibly the best offensive line of his tenure, a running back room packed with talent and a WR group people are sleeping on.

Oh, you think Fleck is spewing propaganda? Well, setting high expectations for a bad team is not usually recommended in the head coach handbook. But look beyond what PJ said today. There are 11 Minnesota Gophers on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list, entering the season.

Related: Will Darius Taylor Play in Minnesota Gophers Opener?

Only the helmet schools of the Big Ten conference (plus Wisconsin – 13) have more – Michigan (14), Ohio State (18), Oregon (17), Penn State (13). Does that mean a Big Ten Championship birth is afoot? Of course not, but it’s unlikely a team with that much veteran talent ends up at the bottom of the Big Ten, like the Gophers are projected to.

The Max Brosmer Effect

At the end of the day, it all (including PJ Fleck’s confidence) comes down to new quarterback Max Brosmer. Since he arrived on campus, Gopher coaches and teammates have been absolutely blown away by everything he has brought.

Related: How Good is New Gophers QB Max Brosmer?

Not only is he FBS caliber, on the field, but he brings a different level of commitment and organization to the program on a day-in, day-out basis. It’s Max’s presence, I believe, that has Fleck feeling so good about where the 2024 Minnesota Gophers are going. And we will get our first chance to see No. 16 in action one week from tonight.

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