With quarterback Tanner Morgan and wide receiver Rashod Bateman back, there was plenty of excitement about Minnesota heading into 2020.

However, any energy has basically evaporated as the Gophers are off to an 0-2 start. Following losses to Michigan and Maryland, ESPN’s FPI updated its predictions on the rest of the Minnesota season. Let’s just say it’s not pretty.

On paper, the Wisconsin game automatically appeared like a loss for the Gophers. But with their defense currently giving up 47 points per game, it gets even worse for Minnesota. Here’s how the FPI sees the rest of the season going for P.J. Fleck’s squad.

  • at Illinois – 53.1%
  • vs. Iowa – 31.3%
  • vs. Purdue – 39.5%
  • at Wisconsin – 4.3%
  • vs. Northwestern – 23.3%
  • at Nebraska – 33.4%

While these numbers may seem harsh to Minnesota fans, the results from the first two weeks are brutal and make it tough to believe the Gophers are going anywhere.

If this holds true and they go 1-7, this is a complete disaster for a program looking to build off a historic 2019 campaign. If this boat is going to be turned around at all, the Gophers need to start by getting win No. 1 in Champaign. Then, getting at least one of the next two games will also be critical.