From a talent standpoint, the two teams were pretty evenly matched. But when it came to in-game coaching, Badgers' coach Paul Chryst (whom the Gophs seriously considered hiring in 2011 before choosing Jerry Kill) completely outclassed Gophers head man P.J. Fleck.
Well, it sure was nice having Paul Bunyan's Axe for one year.
After the game, coach Fleck spoke very passionately and eloquently about the program's future.
Coach Fleck with a POWERFUL closing statement.— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) December 1, 2019
A message to the true fans and the critics.
Even a @DisneyFrozen reference in there! #Gophers pic.twitter.com/MX3o3iqIPC
There's no question that Fleck has brought credibility to a program that has rarely had it in more than a half century. As such, I am optimistic he will be able to attract solid players to Minnesota which will give them a chance to compete for Big 10 West titles. But I am hesitant to get too excited due to Fleck's head-scratching decisions he makes in game, particularly in the two Gophers losses this season. Given he's been a head coach in Division I college football for seven years now, these types of blunders shouldn't be occurring with such regularity. It's nice that he takes the burden on his shoulders when they've lost, but after a while the words become hollow when you're kicking away winnable games.
But perhaps the worst part of this loss? Having to listen to certain self-loathing "fans" who lament having their hopes built up for a Rose Bowl berth only to have them shattered, then expressing regret in becoming too emotionally invested. I would be willing to bet that a good number of those thumb suckers hadn't even watched a Gophers game in full before this season. If that indeed is the case, then they have no concept how being hopeful yet disappointed is far superior to hopelessness. Get a grip, people.
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