10 things college football fans can be thankful for

STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 19: Joe Burrow #9 and Ja"u2019Marr Chase #1 of the LSU Tigers high five each other during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 36-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 23: Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers with his players during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 23, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /

7. The Boat is Rowing in Minnesota

Anyone familiar with P.J. Fleck from his time at Western Michigan had to believe that he was going to bring good things to the Minnesota Golden Gophers whenever he was hired. His ability to coach up players to play above their talent level or to simply put his guys in the best positions to succeed as player and, thus, as a team is maybe second to none in the country. However, it was hard to see what Minnesota has done in 2019 coming.

After going 5-7 in his first year with the Golden Gophers and then 7-6 last year, the hope was that Fleck’s team would take another step forward. Instead, Fleck had Minnesota in serious contention to make the College Football Playoff up until their loss to Iowa last week. And even after that loss, the Golden Gophers are 10-1 on the season with the opportunity to beat Wisconsin in their final regular-season tilt and make the Big Ten Championship Game.

On top of that, there is still a very slim chance that Minnesota could make it to the CFP. In a chaotic world where Alabama loses to Auburn, Georgia loses in the SEC Championship Game, Utah loses in the Pac-12 title game and Oklahoma loses again while the Golden Gophers beat the Badgers and then the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship, Fleck’s team could still make the final four in theory.

Even if that chaos doesn’t ensue, it’s been a banner year for the Minnesota football program. And frankly, it’s always fun to see a team with an impressive and entertaining coach like Fleck elevate themselves to these kinds of heights and put their unlikely name in the mix with some of the most prestigious programs in the country.

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