2021 Minnesota Football Recap<\/h2>\n
I hate playing overs in the season win total market. My portfolio is about 80% under plays, and nine of my top ten are usually under plays (50 or so plays per season). My over plays are usually reserved for teams other than in the Power Five conferences. I went over for Minnesota last year.<\/p>\n
They delivered, despite losing their great RB in the first game of the season, and their backup soon thereafter. The challenge for 2022 is to get more consistent QB play out of Tanner Morgan. Notice a trend with the Big Ten West? I do.<\/p>\n
Offseason Moves<\/h3>\n
Last year I noted that I was not a big Mike Sanford fan. Kirk Ciarrocca left for another job after 2019 but returns now as offensive coordinator. This is a good move.<\/p>\n
Two of four running backs left the program. The two that return are the ones off injury. I strongly recommend charting their progress to see if they are fully healed. I firmly expect QB Morgan play to improve. Like Wisconsin and Iowa, the TD-int ratio was 10-9. Morgan in 2019 had a 30-7 ratio with this returning offensive coordinator!<\/p>\n
I like WR Bell. The TE play is subpar. There is one problem, however. The OL was gutted this offseason. That could stunt progress and is a must watch area.<\/p>\n
The defense looks a bit weaker. Two were drafted from the defensive line. My rushing defense projection is 4.4 per carry, up from the 3.95 they achieved in 2021. The secondary should stay decent. Can kicking improve? PK Trickett has range, but was just 17-of-25 a year ago.<\/p>\n
2022 Minnesota Football Schedule<\/h3>\n
Minnesota has a very soft non-conference schedule, so I will learn almost nothing in the first three games of the season, other than special teams efficiency and RB health\/usage. The following four games are interesting.<\/p>\n
They travel to Michigan Stare, host Purdue (close games, good host history), travel to Illinois (Minnesota good off rest) and stay on the road to face Penn State (the place where the Minnesota coordinator first went to). This has the look of a 2-2 ceiling, mainly because I don\u2019t know if the running backs are healthy, and I do know that the offensive line is raw.<\/p>\n
I expect a close win vs. Rutgers, but once again, the last four games are tricky. They go to Nebraska (is Neb improved?), host Northwestern (Wildcats have had an edge here), host Iowa (Iowa revenge, heavy ‘dog series) and end at Wisconsin (clear Badger revenge).
\n[coupon id=”7753″]<\/p>\n
Minnesota Football Handicapping Tip<\/h3>\n
My personal record with Minnesota has been well below 50-percent, so I was pleased to go 3-1 a year ago. Fleck is now 31-16 against the spread in road games. Is that sustainable with a younger squad? I\u2019ll sit back and learn in September, but my game plan pending a review of my key watch areas is to lean towards Minnesota’s opponents during tough stretches of the season<\/p>\n
2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers Season Prediction<\/h2>\n
I\u2019m a P.J. Fleck fan, but this looks like a tough year. I\u2019m willing to say 7-5 out of respect for his accomplishments and with some expectation that QB play will improve, but the offensive line worries me, and I don\u2019t think the defense can replicate 2021 numbers. I expect ebbs and flows with this tricky schedule.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers Finish Regular Season 7-5<\/strong><\/p>\n Interested in placing a bet on the 2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 risk-free bet<\/a> for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Caesars](\"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/download2-1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\ud83d\udcfa](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/xkVfsbZ2_V0\/maxresdefault.jpg\")