The Gophers are staring down their final nonconference game against Akron this Saturday, but after last week’s disappointing loss to Mississippi State, things are looking shaky. They couldn’t even force a single punt in the first half against Mississippi State, and get this: they didn’t score an offensive touchdown *the entire game*. Talk about a gut punch. Now, they’re “more than three-touchdown betting favorites” against Akron, but honestly, that feels a bit optimistic given what we just saw.
Darius Taylor’s Status Is The Real Problem Right Now
One of the biggest storylines heading into this weekend’s matchup is the uncertainty surrounding veteran running back Darius Taylor. We saw him limited to just 14 offensive snaps against Mississippi State, and the guy clearly looked banged up. Head Coach P.J. Fleck has been predictably tight-lipped, only calling Taylor “day-to-day,” but you gotta wonder if they’ll play it safe here. Given his injury history and the fact they’re significant favorites, it makes total sense to rest him before that crucial Big Ten opener against Washington next week. If Taylor can’t go, look for TJ Thomas and A.J. Turner to see expanded roles. Fleck didn’t point fingers after the Mississippi State debacle, stating, “I loved our game plan. You look at our offense. We moved the ball efficiently. Then again, we get a penalty… We get a sack. Next thing you know, it takes you off of that piece. But I thought the game plan was really good. We just didn’t execute it the full length to a touchdown or scoring points.” That’s a tough pill to swallow.
MACtion Can Be Tricky, And History Has Shown It
Coach Fleck knows the Mid-American Conference inside and out from his playing days at Northern Illinois and coaching Western Michigan. Since taking over in Minnesota in 2017, he boasts a 6-1 record against MAC teams, with an average margin of +10.3 points. They’ve had some blowouts, like beating Miami (OH) by 23 in 2018, Eastern Michigan by 19 in 2023, and Buffalo by 13. But here’s the kicker: the other four matchups were all decided by 10 points or less. The Gophers have an impressive 35-5-1 all-time record against the conference, but they’ve stumbled before, losing to Bowling Green in 2021, Northern Illinois in 2010, Toledo in 2001, and Ohio in 2000. This Saturday is shockingly their first-ever meeting with Akron, who only joined the MAC in 1992 and has been a “punching bag” since moving to the FBS level in 1975. Akron is 1-1 this season and looks “frisky,” so don’t sleep on them just because of the historical stats.
This game against Akron isn’t just a tune-up; it’s a critical chance for the Gophers offense to find its rhythm and for the team to build some momentum before that tough Big Ten schedule starts. With Darius Taylor’s status up in the air, the pressure is on the other guys to step up and make sure they finally get those offensive touchdowns on the board. We’ll be watching to see if they can finally execute when it counts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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