P.J. Fleck has never been this outwardly optimistic about one of his Gophers football teams. The head coach went Big Ten media days in July and told the rest of the conference that Minnesota’s goal is to make the 12-team College Football Playoff.
While he often points a finger at “outside noise” coming from media and fans when it pertains to results, Fleck instead grabbed a bullhorn and addressed the subject directly.
Minnesota Gophers head coach PJ Fleck answers a question during a news conference at the team’s football media day at the Bierman Field Athletic Building in Minneapolis on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
“After nine years at a place, let’s talk about it more,” Fleck said in Las Vegas. “I’m not sitting there, promising we are going to get there. Everyone here wants to get there and if every coach were honest with you, they would tell you they want to get there and they will tell you they’ve talked about that (with their team). But to (get) there, you have to be process driven.”
Down the hallway from media days at the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center, Bet MGM did not share Fleck’s optimism on the CFP. The resort’s sports book pegged the Gophers at 6½ wins this season; that’s near last year’s mark, which the U bested with an 8-5 record.
When the first Associated Press Top 25 poll came out in early August, nearly 50 programs received at least one vote. Minnesota did not.
So, going into the season opener against Buffalo at 7 p.m. Thursday at Huntington Bank Stadium, here are five questions that need to be answered in the affirmative for the Gophers to come close to touching Fleck’s speak-it-into-existence goal:
Will they stay healthy enough to flirt with the CFP?
When the Gophers went 11-2 in 2019, they stayed remarkably free of any serious injuries. That will be vital again this season.
Minnesota has a handful of stars, a larger group of starting-quality players and some more apparent depth at other positions. But if one group suffers a rash of injuries — such as the running backs in 2021 or linebackers in 2023 — it can quickly sidetrack or diminish a season’s ceiling.
This year’s defensive line — already a question mark beyond a veteran trio — suffered a few injuries to backups in fall camp.
Who will be the top pass-catching playmakers?
Minnesota sits at 103rd in the nation with only 43% of its offensive production returning, according to ESPN. The biggest void comes with the exits of receivers Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer, who accounted for roughly 50 percent of the Gophers’ receptions, yards and touchdowns last season.
Tailback Darius Taylor and tight end Jameson Geers caught 54 and 28 passes, respectively, but who steps up at wideout is to be determined.
Transfers Javon Tracy (Miami of Ohio) and Logan Loya (UCLA) should be high-volume targets given their experience and production elsewhere. Redshirt freshman Jalen Smith is a young up-and-comer from Mankato, and Le’Meke Brockington has done it in the system before.
Minnesota Gophers wide receiver Javon Tracy (11) photographed during the Minnesota Gophers Football team media day held at the Gibson/Nagurski complex in Minneapolis on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Can new quarterback Drake Lindsey step up?
Fleck made his CFP comments despite having a starting quarterback without a collegiate start to his name. That’s bold. It’s also an indication of how high Fleck and offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh are on redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey.
Harbaugh said during preseason camp that he has put more on Lindsey’s plate than Max Brosmer’s at this time last year. Lindsey attempted only five passes in three games last season, so the proof will be in the playing time.
It’s worth remembering Brosmer had a slow start in the season opener against North Carolina a year ago before hitting a stride.
Will Fleck immediately go back to Lindsey when struggles?
Fleck’s conservative streak can surface on fourth-down conversion situations and on offensive possessions following giveaways. Instead of solely relying on the running game after, say, a Lindsey interception, the head coach will need to show confidence in his young QB and go back to the passing game early in the next drive.
Who will corner the cornerback competition?
The Gophers are 43rd in the country with 61% of its defensive production coming back this fall, per ESPN. The biggest source of loss is the exits at cornerback/nickel back with Justin Walley, Ethan Robinson and Jack Henderson now in the NFL.
Za’Quan Bryan appears to have one starting CB spot locked down, but the other is an open race, with Fleck saying multiple CBs will play against Buffalo.
Minnesota attempted to bring in transfers. Jaylen Bowden (North Carolina Central) came in for spring practices but didn’t make a huge mark. Then the U brought in John Nestor (Iowa) for the summer; he has put more of a toehold on the spot. Redshirt freshman Mike Gerald also will factor into the mix.
What will the Koi Perich ratio be?
After balling out as a true freshman, Perich has been named to preseason All-America teams and watch lists for national awards this season.
On top of his duties at safety and on kick/punt returns, the Esko, Minn., native will add a role on offense. That will likely be at receiver/running back, but Fleck didn’t rule out wildcat quarterback.
With two standout safeties in Kerry Brown and Aidan Gousby, Perich can take series off on defense to stay fresh for specialized packages on offense.
But figuring out the right share of duties will be a work in progress. Does he play 50 of 70 snaps on defense and 20 on offense in a given game? It will be fascinating to monitor, will likely fluctuate, and probably won’t be fully unveiled until Big Ten play kicks off in late September.
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