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PFF tabs B1G’s ‘most underrated’ team entering the 2021 season
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Entering each season, it’s often easy to tell who the favorites are to win each conference title. In the B1G, that title is typically handed to Ohio State, especially after winning each of the last four conference titles.
One of the more fun questions presented in the offseason, though, is which team in the B1G could be the dark horse? Seth Galina of Pro Football Focus provided his answer as we head closer to the 2021 season.
Galina tabs Minnesota has the “most underrated” team in the B1G entering the year. After a 3-4 season in 2020, the Gophers are flying under the radar.
✍️ @pff_seth's most underrated power five teams
Who was left off the list? pic.twitter.com/7mVbrfrppN
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 8, 2021
Despite last year’s struggles, Minnesota will have a lot to work with, especially offensively. Daniel Faalele and Curtis Dunlap Jr. return up front after missing last season, Tanner Morgan is back under center and Mohamed Ibrahim is still in the backfield after being named the B1G Running Back of the Year a season ago. Chris Autman-Bell looks like the next big thing at wide receiver.
Minnesota’s offense is capable of being as strong as it was during the 2019 season, but there’s still some questions about how the Gophers will perform defensively. The return of defensive lineman Boye Mafe, linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin and defensive back Coney Durr provides P.J. Fleck’s team with an anchor on all three phases of the defense, but will it be enough?
That’s the biggest question heading into 2021.
Right now, the Gophers continue to fly under the radar and sit behind Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern in the B1G West race. But don’t be surprised if Fleck’s team is contention for a division title late in the year.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB