The Minnesota Gophers football team is heading into a critical game against Wisconsin this Saturday, which could determine their bowl game fate and create an uncomfortable scenario for head coach P.J. Fleck.
According to projections by The Athletic, a loss to Wisconsin may lead to a bowl match against Fleck“s former team, Western Michigan, at the GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit on December 26. This situation draws parallels to a past incident involving Richard Pitino, who faced awkward questions during the NCAA tournament due to his father”s ties to a controversial program.
In contrast, P.J. Fleck left Western Michigan on good terms, having transformed the Broncos from a dismal 1-11 record in his first season to an impressive 13-1 finish and a Cotton Bowl appearance in 2016. However, facing his former team would come with its own set of pressures.
Fleck has publicly stated his aspirations for the Gophers to compete for a College Football Playoff spot this season, making a bowl matchup against a Mid-American Conference team less than ideal. It would mark the fourth time Minnesota has played in this Detroit bowl since 2015, and the third during Fleck”s tenure.
Additionally, the stakes would be high for Fleck; a loss to a team he once coached could be difficult to justify, especially given that Western Michigan boasts a 7-4 record, with losses to Illinois, Michigan State, and North Texas.
Currently, the Gophers sit at 6-5 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten play, following a tough 38-35 defeat against Northwestern. They are also being considered for other bowl destinations, such as the Rate Bowl in Phoenix or the Pinstripe Bowl in New York.
For the Gophers to land in Detroit, they likely need to lose to Wisconsin, who are 2.5-point favorites going into the game. With Paul Bunyan”s Axe on the line, Saturday”s matchup holds significant implications for Fleck and his team”s future.
