The story of the 2023 Gophers is going to be how will the replace their veteran players. Quarterback Tanner Morgan has finally entered the NFL after what felt like 10 years at Minnesota. Mohamed Ibrahim had been one of the best running backs in not only the big ten but in the entire country. John Michael Schmitz was the general of that offensive line and he’s gone too. Defense is no different. They were one of the best in the country but that may not be true now after experienced guys in the secondary. What will the Minnesota look like in 2023?

Fans did get a teaser of what the future hold with Athan Kaliakmanis getting plenty of reps last season due to Tanner Morgan’s injury. For being essentially thrown to the wolves at a young age the guy did about as ok as you can do? I know 3 TDS 4 INTS. Not great. But believe me, it could have been MUCH WORSE. As he got more and more reps you could see the comfort building. Something is there.

After his fourth career start, Athan Kaliakmanis has been awarded Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after leading the #Gophers to an Axe Game Victory in enemy territory in Madison, Wisc. last weekend, including throwing a game-winning touchdown with under 4 min remaining. pic.twitter.com/dwRsYtkSVG

— Matt Kennedy (@TheMattKennedy) November 28, 2022

What a throw by Athan Kaliakmanis pic.twitter.com/luN1bdg7IM

— Joe Broback (@joebroback) October 23, 2022

I’m about as optimistic as you can get about Kaliakmanis, but he still will likely need another year to become one of the top guys in the Big Ten.

Sean Tyler is another new face who transferred to Minnesota this off season and he has me convinced. I always become a fan of anyone who goes off in the MAC and Sean Tyler was consistently putting up highlights. Sean Tyler is a guy who no matter where he is playing or how well he is playing your gonna put your faith in this guy because you saw him break off touchdowns on a Wednesday one time and you haven’t forgotten. I feel this way already about him heading to Minnesota.

https://twitter.com/MrMatthewCFB/status/1593050077194752001?s=20

Despite my optimism about MAC stars and the Greek Rifle, I think this year will be more of the usual for Minnesota. Other schools in the west like Wisconsin and Iowa seem to have reloaded a little better this off season.

I think Minnesota will sit around 7-5 8-4 this season. Their schedule is fairly difficult with games @ North Carolina and @ Ohio State and vs Michigan. ULL is on the out of conference schedule and if probably scheduled as a win but they can certainly cause some trouble for the Gophers as well. Fleck has a formula to get there, but I’m not confident this is the year he breaks that ceiling. Minnesota is still good enough to ruin someones season if they get the chance.