Ohio State football: 2 threats that could end Buckeyes’ reign
Minnesota
A 31-24 win over Auburn in the Outback Bowl capped off an 11-2 season for the Golden Gophers in P.J. Fleck’s third season.
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The schedule certainly aided Minnesota’s success, but there is little doubt that Fleck has this program ready to build on last season.
Offensively, this team is loaded.
Tanner Morgan threw for 3253 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2019, Mo Ibrahim ran for 603 yards and seven touchdowns and Rashod Bateman had 1219 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.
The concern will be on defense where most of the key players are gone, most notably Antoine, Winfield, Jr. Fleck will be breaking in many new faces on the defensive side. Will he have the depth to navigate the conference slate?
The schedule is also more difficult. Minnesota plays at Wisconsin, has Michigan and Michigan State as cross-over games and gets BYU in non-divisional play.
Next. 3 Buckeyes will surprise, have great NFL careers. dark
Despite the challenges, the Golden Gophers have the firepower to make it to the Big Ten Championship. That would give them a chance at unseating the Buckeyes.