The Minnesota Gophers enter the 2024 college football season with intrigue surrounding the Big Ten. With the conference having welcomed a handful of new teams from the Pac 12, P.J. Fleck’s squad is up against a new test . Early bowl season predictions have then finishing the year in a similar place.
Why not rename it the Minnesota Gophers Bowl?
Expectations for the Minnesota Gophers in 2024 aren’t exactly high. If P.J. Fleck’s squad compiles a .500 record, that would be seen as an achievement. New quarterback Max Brosmer is likely to be without star wide receiver Daniel Jackson, and star running back Darius Taylor to open the season. Any bowl game to follow may not be exciting, but it could take place in Detroit.
The Athletic’s preseason bowl predictions, prognosticated in part by Stewart Mandel , have the Gophers returning to what was once the Quick Lane Bowl.
“ Once again, Academic Progress Rate (APR) data will determine which, if any, 5-7 teams will qualify for a bowl game. In our lineup, those consist of Minnesota and Stanford. “
The Athletic on the Minnesota Gophers bowl projection
The Quick Lane Bowl ended a decade-long title game sponsorship following the 2023 season. Currently named the “Detroit Bowl” there will be a new sponsor prior to kickoff. Minnesota has played in the Quick Lane Bowl in three of the ten seasons, and won each of their appearances. The Detroit Bowl is scheduled for December 26th.
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Fleck’s squad reaching bowl eligibility in the first year of the new Big Ten would be an accomplishment.
Can the Minnesota Gophers achieve more than an unnamed bowl?
Last season the Minnesota Gophers didn’t reach bowl eligibility, and even with their win over Bowling Green, finished under .500. A 6-6 record to end the regular season would be welcomed, but they will be up against it. USC and UCLA are somewhat of soft opponents from the joining Pac 12 teams, but good Big Ten foes litter the schedule.
If Fleck can have his program run the table during the non-conference slate, the Gophers will be in a good spot. How Brosmer fares at the FBS level remains to be seen, but his uncertainty makes it difficult to project what level the offense will work.
Related: CFB Insider Has His Eye on QB Max Brosmer, 2024 Gophers
This is the first season of the College Football Playoff expansion. The Gophers certainly won’t factor into the 12-team tournament. Any ability to make noise and improve upon the 3-6 conference record last season will be welcomed.
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