PJ Fleck legit?
- Thread starter iowastatefan1929
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I'd say he's legit and arguing otherwise at this point is a pretty hard case to make. I don't think Minnesota is really a top 25 team but they're close and they haven't had a remotely close game recently even though they've played bad teams. They've done what they're supposed to do to them. It's weird they struggled with their non-con schedule which wasn't hard but it wasn't made of incredibly bad teams. They haven't truly had a close game in conference as they were up 21 going into the 4th against Purdue so they've essentially dominated everyone for all but a quarter. He's not even close to Matt Campbell IMO, but he's doing well.
Thought you were a hawk?
I don't understand all this hatred for Minnesota on here. If they're a fraud they'll be exposed in the coming weeks. If not, at least there's someone new on the college landscape to enjoy success, that isn't full of obnoxious fans. Fleck is a monster douche though.
This is fair. But it's also fair to say they're undefeated so in that sense you could say Fleck is legit. If they've beaten everyone they're supposed to have beaten and everyone in front of them; to me that's legit.
Will it last? No. But they're probably not going to have losses to teams "they should have beaten".
Not sure how you could possibly use Minnesota's schedule to measure whether or not a coach is legit. They need to beat a team with a pulse first.
Everyone they have played?
I get that you can't control your schedule and they have been winning big, but it's pretty strange that they were very fortunate to beat South Dakota State, Fresno State and Georgia Southern, and are now steamrolling through the conference season. It's almost like they had to get to the Big 10 schedule for a breather.
As a reference, Neb. is their top opponent played to date at #60, one spot better than West Virginia. For reference, Okie St. is #22 and TCU #29
As a reference, Neb. is their top opponent played to date at #60, one spot better than West Virginia. For reference, Okie St. is #22 and TCU #29
If we're going to be fair and we think Matt Campbell is a great coach (which he is) then if you compare the two's results, they aren't that far apart. Campbell is essentially beating everyone he should, which is somewhat arguable as I'm not convinced anyone we've lost to is actually better than us. We would also have to consider that Minnesota isn't some super talented football team either. UM and ISU are going to heavily lean on identification, development and coaching. Fleck seems to be getting it done, likely with less talent.
This is all fair but I think sometimes teams who are still building take a while to figure it out and UM isn't just getting by. They're nuking people. We'll see just how good they are this weekend. If they can compete with PSU, I'll be impressed. I think they lose by 20. I just think they're one of those teams who roll against bad teams but when they face that kind of talent, they will struggle. That speaks to coaching.
PJ Fleck will keep rowing, sawwing wood and will not quit.
I always thought Lynnette Woodard in this cameo was Robin Roberts. LOL.
I always thought Lynnette Woodard in this cameo was Robin Roberts. LOL.
Patrick Reusse, Star Tribune, had a fun column today on the "prove it" stuff surrounding the Gophers. Pretty funny but lots of truth sprinkled in. Guy still pens some good stuff and this on is bit of a gem for Twin cities folks complete with Twins, Vikings, Wolves, radioactive baseballs, state politics and a Sid Hartman reference thrown in for spice.
Did find this interesting with respect to "improved":
Did find this interesting with respect to "improved":
A year ago, the Gophers lost 42-13 to Maryland, and were outrushed 315-94 and outgained 432-263. This season, the Gophers defeated Maryland 52-10, outrushed the Terps 321-79 and outgained them 498-210.
A year ago, the Gophers lost 53-28 to Nebraska, and were outrushed 383-125 and outgained 659-474. This season, the Gophers defeated Nebraska 34-7, outrushed the Huskers 322-151 and outgained them 450-299.
A year ago, the Gophers lost to Illinois 55-31, and were outrushed 430-178 and outgained 646-438. This season, the Gophers defeated Illinois 40-17, outrushed them 332-91 and outgained them in 487-248.
http://www.startribune.com/gophers-...he-prove-it-sect-of-minnesota-fans/564577882/A year ago, the Gophers lost 53-28 to Nebraska, and were outrushed 383-125 and outgained 659-474. This season, the Gophers defeated Nebraska 34-7, outrushed the Huskers 322-151 and outgained them 450-299.
A year ago, the Gophers lost to Illinois 55-31, and were outrushed 430-178 and outgained 646-438. This season, the Gophers defeated Illinois 40-17, outrushed them 332-91 and outgained them in 487-248.
Personality wise it's not even close. Campbell is a way better dude. Coaching wise he is even or better than Campbell at this point. I would say they are even. I think the future will show who ends up the better coach.
The next 3 weeks is big for them. If they compete in every game, but come up short, you can say they are taking a similar path that ISU took. If they get blown out, then I would be more inclined to say their 8-0 record was just a product of playing absolutely terrible teams.
Pretty bold statement based on beating up on a schedule where your best win is #60 Nebraska. Both teams started almost the same this year with a fortunate FCS win then the difference is ISU went on to play a bunch if teams ranked 15-40 in Sagarin while Minn went on to play a bunch of teams 60-100. Let me know when Fleck beats a ranked team because he is 0-fed in his career.
It's not really a bold statement. They also both have histories before Iowa State and they were pretty even coming into a power 5 school. I said they are even. The difference is Campbell is our guy and we like him more. Honestly there is not much to argue on the difference between the two coaches at this point.
Yes, to me saying Campbell and Fleck are even or Fleck is better is pretty bold to this point. It could be proven to be true, but Fleck hasn't beat a ranked team at Minnesota, Campbell has beaten 5, including #3,4, and 6.
As for this year take ISUs schedule and replace Iowa, Baylor, Okie St. and TTU and replace with teams all worse than West Virginia. That would be matching Minnesota's schedule per Sagarin. Nebraska is their best win. Nebraska and WVU were 1 spot different on Sagarin last I checked.
What do you suspect ISU's record would be if WVU was their toughest game to date?
Fleck can coach. Minnesota is pretty good and they are winning big. But they don't have a win that's any more impressive than ISU over WVU, both in dominance or level of competition.
This is not a marginal difference in team strength. Minnesota's best win is 30 spots worse than TCU and nearly 40 spots worse than OSU.
They have a chance to prove it this weekend. If they win, then there is a great argument. If they get blown out, then Fleck can go back and try again vs. Wisconsin and Iowa. But to this point Minnesota's success is purely a function of a ridiculously weak schedule. That does not mean they are not legit, but there are LOTS of teams, ISU included that would likely be undefeated playing only teams #60 and worse in Sagarin.
In all fairness we have not beat anyone this year and we have lost to teams we should have clearly beat. Iowa for one. I love Campbell but he also has the same advantage that Fleck has in facilities. Campbell is loved, however our facilities have always sucked and so did Minnesota. So while both teams have improved, a lot of it has to do with Facilities. I always Wondered how good Danny Mac would have been at Iowa State had our facilities been even close to what we have now. The older I get the more I realize how great of a coach that guy actually was.