FOUR THINGS TO WATCH
RUN TO DAYLIGHT:
When P.J. Fleck led Western Michigan against UW in the 2017 Cotton Bowl, his No. 1 concern was that the Broncos wouldn’t be able to handle UW’s offensive line. That unit is stronger this season so it is safe to assume Fleck, in his first season at Minnesota, has the same concerns heading into the regular-season finale. In Big Ten games Minnesota is 12th in the league against the run, allowing an average of 200.3 yards per game. The Gophers have allowed 17 rushing touchdowns in eight league games. Only Nebraska (23), Maryland (20), and Illinois (18) have allowed more. UW is No. 2 in rushing in Big Ten games at 225.8. Jonathan Taylor averaged 6.9 per carry (132 yards on 19 carries) against Michigan’s stout defense.
FOLLOW FUMAGALLI:
Fleck thought tight end Troy Fumagalli was UW’s offensive MVP in the Cotton Bowl. Fumagalli caught six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown in the 24-16 victory. Five of those receptions resulted in first downs, with four coming on third down. Fumagalli beat zone coverage, man-to-man coverage and double coverage. “If you go back and watch the game, we’re actually in really good position,” Fleck said. “He is just a giant and he is incredibly athletic. …So it wasn’t necessarily a bad scheme. It was just their player was better than our players were on that particular day.
GOPHERS STICK TO THE GROUND:
Redshirt sophomore Demry Croft has started the last five games at quarterback for Minnesota. The 6foot-5, 205-pounder is a dangerous runner but a substandard passer. In his five starts, Minnesota has completed 30 of 83 attempts (36.1%) for 408 yards with six interceptions and one touchdown. UW enters the game No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing defense in league games (75.1 yards per game). If the Badgers slow Minnesota’s ground game and make Croft throw, the Gophers have no chance to pull off the upset.
MATCH GOPHERS’ INTENSITY:
Minnesota has scored first in each of the teams’ last three meetings and held a double-digit lead in the first half in 2014 and last season. Considering they have lost the last 13 meetings, need to win to secure a bowl berth and want to ruin UW’s perfect season, look for the Gophers to be flying early. UW needs to take control from the start.