The Gophers are rolling into Washington this week as hefty 9.5- to 10-point betting underdogs for their Big Ten opener. If they pull off the win, it’d instantly rank as one of head coach P.J. Fleck’s biggest upset victories. For our Dawgs, this isn’t just another game, is it? History shows Fleck’s Gophers thrive when the odds are seriously stacked against them, so let’s not sleep on this one, Emerald City. This is a real test for Washington in the Big Ten.
Fleck’s Biggest Shocker: The 2018 Wisconsin Beatdown
Remember 2018? The Gophers had a brutal 14-game losing streak against rival Wisconsin. The Badgers were 7-4, and nobody gave Minnesota much of a prayer. Wisconsin closed as high as 12-point favorites, a huge spread. But Fleck’s squad didn’t just win, they absolutely crushed it, beating the Badgers by 22 points, 37-15, right there in Camp Randall. That stunning victory marked one of the most significant wins in Fleck’s tenure and still stands as his biggest upset win by point spread. Talk about an unexpected gut punch when everyone writes your team off!
More Than Just One-Hit Wonders: The 2019 and 2020 Upsets
Fleck proved that 2018 wasn’t just a fluke. In 2019, his team snagged another massive win against No. 4 Penn State, taking them down 31-26. While the Nittany Lions were “only” 6.5-point favorites at home, that advantage plays a massive role, making it Fleck’s most significant win. That same “magical 2019 season” also saw the Gophers snatch an Outback Bowl victory against No. 12 Auburn, winning 31-24 as 7-point underdogs. Oddsmakers weren’t showering them with respect after Minnesota lost two of their final three regular-season games, but Fleck’s squad still won in Tampa, Florida. And even in the wild, shortened 2020 college football season, Fleck’s crew pulled off a 24-17 road win at Nebraska as 8.5-point underdogs against an unranked, 2-4 Cornhuskers team. It just shows you never know.
So, as our Huskies get ready to kick off their Big Ten schedule at home against a Gophers squad that’s a serious underdog, remember Fleck’s history. He’s proven time and again he can turn huge spreads into huge, memorable wins. This isn’t just about the Gophers; it’s about what our Dawgs are up against in this Big Ten opener. Will Washington hold serve and start strong, or will Fleck add another shocking win to his resume? You absolutely gotta tune in this week to see this one play out!
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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