Gophers reach Top 25 without playing a game
Even though this weekend was a bye week for the football Gophers, Minnesota debuted in the BCS Top 25 poll for the first time this season, and the first time since 2005. While the Tim Brewster-coached Gophers are ranked near the bottom of that poll, at number 24, it is still a huge achievement for a team that no one - including MinnsotaSportsScene.com - expected much out of this year.
Color us humbled. Still, despite the team’s current 6-1 record (2-1 in the Big 10), there’s still a long and difficult schedule ahead for the maroon and gold, and to achieve a top bowl bid, they can’t drop more than one game the rest of the way. If they do, I wouldn’t bet my MBT shoes on a January bowl appearance.
The remaining schedule for the Gophers is somewhat favorable. There are only two road games left, including Purdue and Wisconsin. The team also faces home games against Northwestern, Michigan and Iowa.
The team ought to be able to win three of the last five, given their performances so far this season. That would put Minnesota at 9-3, which would ensure a good bowl, but probably not a January bowl. If the Gophers can manage four wins, a January bowl would not be out of the question, but that would mean beating either Wisconsin on the road, or Michigan at home - tall order.
Tags: MBT shoes, Minnesota Gophers, Tim Brewster, Top 25
