Big Ten power rankings Week 3: How shakeup at the top impacts Penn State Football
852. . 1-1 (0-1). Previous: 9th. Golden Gophers . 12. team
Minnesota was given the benefit of the doubt last week because they lost to Ohio State and could’ve made it a closer game had their star running back Mohamed Ibrahim not getting hurt.
Fast forward a week later and Ohio State has a home loss on their record and the Gophers beat Miami (OH) by five at home.
Trey Potts filled the void left by Ibrahim just fine, rushing for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Quarterback Tanner Morgan was 8-17 with 112 yards and two passing touchdowns.
The Gophers offense may be good enough, but it’s not going to run anyone out of the building. Combine that with a defense that is clearly struggling to find itself, giving up 71 points in two games, and this is an average team at best.
Their game this week at Colorado is actually a big game for the Gophers. A win will get them close to bowl eligibility, considering they still play Bowling Green, Nebraska and Illinois, but a loss could spiral this season in the wrong direction for P.J. Fleck’s squad.