I don’t think we will be ranked in the Top 5 even with a win over PSU, but clearly they are one of the best wins on anyone’s schedule. It’s a huge feather in the Gophers caps. Plus, our record is unblemished. Sure we had close calls in non conference, but we didn’t lose, and have proven to get better each week rather than get worse
Name brand is everything, so I don’t expect to be #4, but there is no reason we shouldn’t be 4 or 5 other than being “Minnesota”.
1. LSU - 3 great wins plus decent win @ Texas in non-conference
2. tOSU - Some good wins with total schedule domination.
3. Clemson - Undefeated. Decent wins with mostly total domination
4. Minnesota - Undefeated with one of the best wins in the nation over PSU. Underwhelming non-conference hurts, but didn’t lose like Georgia. Net +1
5. Georgia - Very good wins over Florida and Notre Dame with 1 bad loss to South Carolina = Net +1 Biggest opportunity to drop if big wins start to get worse records.
6. Penn St. - Great win over Michigan with loss to undefeated Minnesota. +1
7. Alabama - Mostly dominant of schedule with a close loss to obvious #1. No great wins. Non-conference schedule hurts, along with SEC schedule not being impressive either.
8. Auburn - 2 losses hurt but great win over Oregon propels them here. Close loss at clear #1 LSU.
9. Oregon - Pac 12 torch bearer. Loss to Auburn stunts ranking with no great wins.
10. Baylor - Horrific non-conference schedule, plus 2 wins in multiple overtime’s versus mediocre competition. Being undefeated keeps them here.
11. Florida - Great win over Auburn. No other good wins and 2 losses.
12. Oklahoma - No great or good wins. Loss to KSU with Wildcats controlling game. Near loss to ISU at home.
13. Utah - No good or great wins. Loss at mediocre USC places them here.
14. Michigan - No shame losing at PSU, but blowout loss at Wisconsin hurts, plus OT vs. Army. Blowout win over Notre Dame helps them in this spot.
15. Cincinnati - Only loss in non conference to Ohio State (blowout).
16. Notre Dame - Good, but not great schedule. Losses to best teams on it, including blowout to Michigan.
17-25. Doesn’t matter too many warts
My actual prediction is that we will be #9 behind Oregon, but ahead of Baylor. But, we SHOULD be higher.
Name brand is everything, so I don’t expect to be #4, but there is no reason we shouldn’t be 4 or 5 other than being “Minnesota”.
1. LSU - 3 great wins plus decent win @ Texas in non-conference
2. tOSU - Some good wins with total schedule domination.
3. Clemson - Undefeated. Decent wins with mostly total domination
4. Minnesota - Undefeated with one of the best wins in the nation over PSU. Underwhelming non-conference hurts, but didn’t lose like Georgia. Net +1
5. Georgia - Very good wins over Florida and Notre Dame with 1 bad loss to South Carolina = Net +1 Biggest opportunity to drop if big wins start to get worse records.
6. Penn St. - Great win over Michigan with loss to undefeated Minnesota. +1
7. Alabama - Mostly dominant of schedule with a close loss to obvious #1. No great wins. Non-conference schedule hurts, along with SEC schedule not being impressive either.
8. Auburn - 2 losses hurt but great win over Oregon propels them here. Close loss at clear #1 LSU.
9. Oregon - Pac 12 torch bearer. Loss to Auburn stunts ranking with no great wins.
10. Baylor - Horrific non-conference schedule, plus 2 wins in multiple overtime’s versus mediocre competition. Being undefeated keeps them here.
11. Florida - Great win over Auburn. No other good wins and 2 losses.
12. Oklahoma - No great or good wins. Loss to KSU with Wildcats controlling game. Near loss to ISU at home.
13. Utah - No good or great wins. Loss at mediocre USC places them here.
14. Michigan - No shame losing at PSU, but blowout loss at Wisconsin hurts, plus OT vs. Army. Blowout win over Notre Dame helps them in this spot.
15. Cincinnati - Only loss in non conference to Ohio State (blowout).
16. Notre Dame - Good, but not great schedule. Losses to best teams on it, including blowout to Michigan.
17-25. Doesn’t matter too many warts
My actual prediction is that we will be #9 behind Oregon, but ahead of Baylor. But, we SHOULD be higher.
