Minnesota went 5-7 in last year's regular season, generously landed a bowl bid, and closed with a 30-24 Quick Lane Bowl win over Bowling Green. Disappointing after back-to-back nine-win seasons. But P.J. Fleck is still a Gopher (instead of leaving for UCLA) and the coach feels this might be his most complete team.
3. How much will Joe Rossi be missed?
Rossi is an underrated defensive coordinator, so good on Jonathan Smith for luring him to Michigan State. Corey Hetherman has an experienced D but big shoes to fill in his first year as a Gopher.
2. Is this Fleck's deepest backfield?
Minnesota's backs might be the next best thing to Ohio State in the Big Ten. Darius Taylor is an emerging star and Marcus Major (Oklahoma) and Sieh Bangura (Ohio) were cagey portal pickups.
1. What's Max Brosmer's ceiling?
In dire need of improved QB play, Fleck landed New Hampshire QB Max Brosmer, a Payton Award finalist. Fleck loves Brosmer's smarts, accuracy, and leadership, so the passing game should be dramatically better than 2023.