In 2021 the upstart Minnesota Golden Gophers won nine games. Consider that nine is a win total seen in program history only four previous times. Additionally, Minnesota beat archrival Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. So Golden Gopher fans gained bragging rights to one of the best rivalries in college football. Minnesota suffocated West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. Despite that college football odds success, head coach PJ Fleck thought the 2021 campaign should have been better.
2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers Future Odds at SBG
| Prop | Odds |
|---|---|
| To win the National Championship | +21000 |
| To win the Big Ten Conference | +1800 |
| Over/Under Win Total | 7.5 |
2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers – SBG Odds Analysis
At the onset of camp, PJ Fleck said that the 2021 landmark season was not a success. And a deeper dive shows where Fleck is coming from. Consider that Minnesota had ugly and unnecessary losses to MAC Bowling Green and perennial loser Illinois. Both defeats took place at home, adding to the frustration of Golden Gopher fans and gamblers.
Minnesota’s offense was a leading culprit in the failure to gain more from the 2021 campaign. Fleck became frustrated with a lackluster passing game. And because of that frustration, Fleck made a major move. Following the 2021 season, Fleck fired offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. and rehired former OC Kirk Ciarrocca. Ciarrocca led Minnesota’s best offshore betting offensive outburst under Fleck in 2019.
Overall, The Gophers had one of the worst passing attacks in the country last year. Minnesota ranked 118th in passing yards per game. They were ahead of only the service academies in attempts.
Additionally, Minnesota must replace five starters on offense. Including most of the offensive line. One positive is that All-Big Ten center John Michael Schmitz is back to anchor the line. Schmitz is part of the “Encore Four.” The Encore Four is the affectionate name of respect and gratitude for the group returning for their sixth season.
2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers Conclusion
Ibrahim is a potential All-American running back that suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the 2021 season opener. As a result, he was lost for the 2021 campaign before it even started. So too did Autman-Bell had injuries nag him a year ago. Especially at the start of the campaign. Autman-Bell’s six touchdowns were far and away the best on the Golden Gophers.
Most important of all is the return of the veteran quarterback Morgan. Morgan suffered through an inconsistent 10-touchdown, nine-interception performance in 2021. Morgan and Ciarrocca believe they can put the band back together to ignite their 2019 production.
Meanwhile, the defense showed phenomenal College football betting odds improvement in 2021. At the onset of last season, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi was ripped for how his unit failed in the 2020 season. Now, Rossi is being asked if Minnesota can remain one of the top defensive units in the Big Ten Conference.
Last year Minnesota was in the nation’s top 10 in scoring and total defense but must replace four starters. Those losses are most significant on the defensive line. In the 2021 campaign, kicker Matthew Trickett made only 68 percent of his field goals and will need to be more consistent in his senior year
Minnesota lost to Iowa for a fifth straight time in 2021. Indeed, the Hawkeyes remain the biggest hurdle before Minnesota can contend for the Big Ten West championship.