2019 wrap-up
This game was a much-needed perfect ending to the 2019 season. The Golden Gophers had found their way into the Top 10 after a 9-0 start, including a win over Penn State. Still, that Penn State win was the only impressive victory out of the whole season by then. With the 1-2 finish after that, including the embarrassing margin against Wisconsin, meant that this bowl game was going to determine the meaning of the entire season. Was this Minnesota team a top team deserving of its double-digit wins and Top 15ish ranking? Or was it a gaudy record built on a weak schedule?
There was no middle ground for Minnesota in this game. A win meant a Top 10 season and validation. A loss–likely even a close one–meant a good team with an easy schedule. The Golden Gophers got the win and their first Top 10 season since 1961. That’s huge.
2020 Impact
This game impacts 2020 more than any other Big Ten game. The validation will bring pre-season hype to Minnesota. The Gophers are as high as No. 11 in the “Way Too Early Top 25″s posted by CBSSports’ Dennis Dodd and Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde.
This is unprecedented hype. Minnesota hasn’t been expected to be this good in half a century. That matters, a lot, and will help the Gophers get through a potentially weak nonconference schedule. (Minnesota faces both FAU and BYU, who are potentially decent opponents, but most likely will be viewed as cupcakes.) Still, Minnesota’s status as a 2020 contender will be determined in the first six weeks of the season. The Gophers host Iowa in Week 3, then face Wisconsin (on the road) and Michigan (at home) in Weeks 5 and 6. Start 5-1 (or better), and Minnesota will be in the Playoff conversation all year long. 4-2 will be enough to repeat as a Top 10 team.
It’s only been three years, but P.J. Fleck has already shown that he’s able to make Minnesota a power. Now the challenge is sustaining it–or maybe even building on it.