P.J. Fleck has a lot of faith in his team bouncing back in 2021.

Minnesota finished the 2020 season with a 3-4 record, a disappointing result after an incredible 11-2 season just one year prior. Many believed the Golden Gophers would compete in the B1G West, but struggled in Fleck’s fourth year with the program.

But the head coach understands how unique the season was. He believes that, while the record may not have been exactly what anyone had hoped for, his team grew stronger. That has created a “dangerous team” entering the 2021 campaign.

“What they went though together (in 2020), what they’ve overcome together, how they’ve failed together, how they’ve succeeded together,” Fleck said, per the Pioneer Press. “They’ve gone through it together and we have a lot of guys that have done it. And to me, that is a dangerous football team.”

Minnesota was blown out in two games last season, losing the opener to Michigan 49-24 and falling to Iowa 35-7. In the other two losses, they fell to Maryland 45-44 in overtime and lost to Wisconsin 20-17 in overtime.

The Gophers were just a few breaks from finishing 5-2.

Defensively, Minnesota must get better in 2021 if it wants to re-emerge as a contender in the B1G West. There are still some question marks offensively, but with Tanner Morgan back under center and Mohamed Ibrahim returning to the backfield, the Gophers should be able to score points.

Fleck will have to have his team ready to go right out of the gate, as Minnesota opens the year with Ohio State.