The Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3) lost, 14-6, to the Illinois Fighting Illini (4-6), so we’ll of course be bypassing “The Elite” and “The Meh” and diving right into “The Ugly”
The Ugly
The Gophers picked the most opportune time to embarrass themselves. This week, Minnesota stood alone atop the Big Ten West standings for the first time this season, checked in at No. 20 in the College Football Playoff committee’s first Top 25, and even signed head coach P.J. Fleck to a new seven-year contract. It all culminated in a face plant. They still control their own destiny in the Big Ten West, but good luck finding anyone who believes this team can win out.