Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck reacts to Gophers' No. 8 CFP ranking | College Football on ESPN

Minnesota Golden Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck reacts to his team's No. 8 ranking in the second College Football Playoff Top 25 for 2019, in the wake of his team's big win vs. the Penn State Nittany Lions.
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[@jeremiahgiedrys6745]

I'm not even a Minnesota fan but I just love this coach

[@Isojoki]

He"ll make you run through a brick wall for him. He's incredible.

[@owomuwu]

So glad to see the public's perception of Fleck do a 180. The guy's as genuine as they come and he's a fantastic coach, he has the entire state of Minnesota excited for the future of our program. The win against Penn State is massive not just for this season, but for the recruiting and elite standards it sets going forward.

[@quietcorner293]

What ever this guy wants for his next contract, pay him!

[@cumeater87]

Quiet Corner they just have him a new extension before the penn state game. Only about a 1 million raise for fleck but his entire staff got raises as well.

[@sir5132]

I’m rooting for Minnesota to make the playoff, coming from a TX Longhorns fan

[@larrymosher5045]

Gophers haven't got this much attention since Caddy Shack.

[@quietcorner293]

"If I kill all the golfers, they'll lock me up and throw away the key."

[@tavianthomas4402]

PJ Fleck has always given me the vibe of being on the path to becoming one of CFB's best coaches. Not just for a season but in general.

[@DJK-cq2uy]

He's a cheating lil crybaby

[@nickchef5676]

DJK 2816 explain

[@gmoney8650]

This coach is legendary

[@atimtg]

Record 9-0 Chance to make cfp 4.1% Plays in Big Ten ...meanwhile in Alabama record 8-1 Chance to make cfp 49% Plays in SEC Nothing to see here folks, there is no bias here!

[@Yyyyyy5]

I hate Alabama but that's still about right. I got a feeling after this weekend none of that will matter anymore.

[@mattkreais8240]

@Don’t Tread On me Alabama wouldn't be much with out tua.. he carried that team to as well as they did vs lsu..

[@huskerdee1431]

The preseason rankings also make it easier for Bama

[@Easelgames]

alabama only has to win their remaining 2 cakewalk games, then they're done. minnesota has to go through IOWA, trash cans, WISCONSON, and OSU. Bama has such a high % because they have basically no games left. Min has a whole years worth to some teams... in 4 weeks time.

[@connorgoss7489]

Excellent head coach.

[@mckinseyand2022]

He is a great coach......I want to transfer to U of Minn...........

[@esmooth300]

Where do you go now ?

[@landonwilliams6051]

Awesome coach

[@Moonroofmusik]

What. a good coach

[@sadkfjasdkl4543]

I wish I could get my eligibility back to play for this man.

[@flranger7433]

IN FLECK WE TRUST

[@abdirahmanahmed3592]

Love you coach

[@noizman5562]

Great coach

[@GSMillion]

Love the coach

[@traehall9957]

It feels like he studied every word from Dabo Swinney. I love Clemson but I will keep my eyes on the guys rowing the boat.

[@JK-gu3tl]

Fleck is way more professional than Little Ole Dabo.

[@mikebuck2225]

as a the ohio state fan , i give all the credit they deserve. cant wait to play them in big champ row the boat. go minn.

[@chrisscully1817]

Beat Penn St n U. Michigan first numb nutz

[@Travis0829]

We gotta beat Iowa on the road

[@chrisscully1817]

Penn St fan here. Congrats! I hope we beat Ohio St and a rematch with Yinz in the B1G Championship game. If not. I will root for you like a true fan to beat those fvcking buckeyes

[@steveg2448]

You didnt

[@floridagator1765]

An instant classic.

[@joshkelly482]

Elite!

[@Gold-oj8do]

Would love to see Minnesota go the whole way. That would be so cool.

[@brandondorsey7204]

Row the boat! Let's go Gophers

[@marysmith6791]

Great job coach from the buckeye nation.

[@quintonchapman1776]

No one knew about Minnesota four weeks ago now their coach is getting interviewed 😂😂😂

[@Ghostkilla773]

Deservedly so.

[@quintonchapman1776]

Dan Grider Still ranked In the top 5 😂Roll Tide 🐘🏈🏆17X

[@Luke-sx8ur]

Quinton chapman 46-41

[@hippityhoppity3800]

@@quintonchapman1776 did you know Minnesota was one of the first colleges to give black people opportunities to play college football, let alone scholarships? Roll Tide? Those f'n racists in the south weren't doing that for 30 years.......

[@jacksonkeller2522]

Hippity Hoppity say it louder for the people in the back!

[@laemert09]

Row the boat!

[@Ghostkilla773]

If Minnesota only loses to Ohio state. They should get consideration for the final playoff spot. But I know who they will pick

[@WoodburyWrestling]

Obviously Rutgers will get the top spot, powerhouse of the Big 10

[@pupeEETR]

They need to win B1G to get in. I think they can even lose this week and win B1G and get in

[@andrewwatson8591]

Uh no, they shouldn’t lol. They beat South Dakota State by seven, Fresno State by three in double overtime, and Georgia State by three. Stop. They will get absolutely blown off the field by take your pick of Clemson LSU Alabama Ohio State

[@hippityhoppity3800]

@@andrewwatson8591 what are those teams current records pray tell?

[@stonecold7919]

@Alfred Pasly If Minnesota goes 13-0, they're in, but if they lose a game, they have no shot at the playoff, because the CFP Committee wants to put two SEC teams in, and that'll happen if non-SEC teams lose.

[@TrumpSigmaGrindset]

PJ Fleck is a very intelligent guy and great coach who loves and supports his players. Hope he goes to FSU

[@josephbrookshire2972]

He just signed a contract with Minnesota till 2026. SMH

[@aaronb8739]

Carson Ward his ceiling at fsu is just as high as it is at minnesota, if he didn’t think it was he wouldn’t have signed an extension

[@TrumpSigmaGrindset]

There’s always buyout money in the booster club apparently

[@pdl46lundy55]

Most of these consistent top 10 CFB programs are just like The Yankees......🤣 If we can't be smart enough to find the next "game changer" coach, then we will just buy one from someone else. Which is why those schools are laughed at by people who truly enjoy football 🤷‍♂️

[@johnnychaos152]

Change your name from Minnesota to Notre Dame and I bet you'll get in! 🙄

[@seanlavelle1060]

Johnny Chaos Don’t you mean bama...the CFP is after all the Alabama invitational

[@johnnychaos152]

@@seanlavelle1060 This playoff system is a trainwreck across the board. If a team with the name recognition of Notre Dame was undefeated with Minnesota's schedule and just beat Penn State they'd be in the top four no questions asked. If the Gophers were undefeated in the SEC and then got beat by LSU there would be absolutely no chance of them finding another way into the playoffs. If Minnesota played the EXACT same schedule as Clemson they would get rejected due to weak opponents and nearly getting beat by North Carolina. This isn't a playoff at all. FCS has a legitimate playoff. What FBS has is an Invitational tournament based on the name of the school, conference bias, and money. I have no doubt that even if Minnesota runs the table and beats Ohio State they will still get left out. Quite frankly I'm sick of seeing the same 4 or 5 teams ever getting the opportunity to play for the title.

[@Easelgames]

@@johnnychaos152 they wouldn't be left out.. clemson will be 12-0, LSU will make it regardless if they win their regular season games, georgia/alabama get the third spot depending on how things fall, and then you have OSU/MIN. Of which, the winner is in loser is out. Who else would you put in over Min? a two loss georgia? an OSU who you just beat? alabama can't make it in over MIN because MIN slot is the 4 slot, and like I said, either georgia/alabama are competing for the third slot. 1 and 2 are already locked in. (LSU/CLEM)

[@seanlavelle1060]

GGMANIAC Not sure how you give Clemson the two seed this year? A team that has not played a single ranked game this year and has struggled even with the shitty schedule they have, plus they won’t even have a real game for the ACC championship (since they will play Wake Forest). Johnny Chaos is 100% right if Minnesota had a name that brought in more revenue they would be in the top four, Minnesota is undefeated, has a top three strength of schedule thus far, and they have absolutely proven themselves more than Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia.

[@StefDjordjevic33]

The NFL will be calling this guy after the season is over.

[@carrion_man3700]

SKI-U-MAH!

[@marysmith6791]

Remember coach you were a buckeye first before a groundhog

[@robstone7325]

ya

[@michaelhammond7115]

Sunday: welp....that was fun for a week

[@hamburgerdan101]

They’re not gonna lose to Iowa

[@michaelhammond7115]

@@hamburgerdan101 I told you it would be tuff, they got their work cut out now.... we'll see

[@ronnienichols7645]

Minnesota had like 9 fans 6 weeks ago... Now the whole state is buying gopher gear... bandwagon fans.

[@tkdraketeamkaliber3955]

Ronnie Nichols yeah but I’ve been a Minnesota fan in every sport for the 15 years I’ve been alive and I’ve never witnessed a undefeated gopher team ever it’s almost like a dream

[@liljmarian7327]

hey fuq u Mang we got season tickets before they started we true fans

[@ethanleicester1199]

Not true lol

[@jasonm8459]

Nope

[@Yyyyyy5]

Now there are 23 fans.

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Wonder how long he’ll be there for??

[@floridawill]

Brandon he just signed a new contract last week

[@generalgrievous9947]

I can understand why they put em number 8, they beat a great team in penn state they just gotta beat one more greater team in ohio state and they will no question be in the playoff, they gave them the big jump in the ranking right now instead of making a mistake of having them really low and jump from 10+ to top four in a single week. They also play 23 iowa and 15 Wisconsin so those wins will probably take em up to 5 or 6 when they play Ohio state

[@standarsh2186]

Yeah. Even if they don’t make the playoffs if they can beat Ohio State it will be like a miniature championship

[@imamasome]

I still think they should be near or ahead of Alabama....

[@foggyfarm926]

"Horseshoe, Bronco foot"

[@therealzacklaw]

Notre Dame head coach in 2 seasons when the buyout drops from 10 million to 4.5 million

[@brianroiger3665]

Being ranked #8 means nothing because Gophers won't be there for long if they lose to Iowa on Saturday. They are 3 point dogs in that game. Row, row, row.

[@yasin2136]

Brian Roiger more fuel

[@liljmarian7327]

stfu

[@dylankastanis1975]

Stfu dude, u probably said the same thing before the Penn State game and look where we are now

[@Yyyyyy5]

I've been wrong before but Iowa could roll you up and smoke you this Saturday.

[@fixit3120]

I'd love it if they can beat Iowa and Wisconsin, and if they did and they lost a good game to Ohio State I'd still think they deserve it over teams like Georgia, Oregon, and Alabama.

[@larrymosher5045]

Coach Fleck good luck in Iowa, don't forget the kinnnick wave to the kids watching from overlooking children's hospital, after first quarter.

[@ragecave518]

Larry Mosher last time the Gophers were there, Fleck’s first year, he brought the team halfway onto the field to wave at the kids.

[@editnosmirc4489]

Florida State or Auburn should try to snag this dude

[@geaux.saints2973]

Pisce X he’s not going anywhere now after this year

[@twangdu]

signed a 6 yr extension a week ago. They might have to wait a while.

[@DedHedJosh]

Anyone can be bought out.

[@romanfields7900]

The buyouts would be just too huge.

[@shane87smith]

Pisce X Auburn fan here. I would like him. He is proving a winner wherever he goes

[@daviddrewmills]

UCF should learn from this coach's mindset

[@brian2440]

daviddrewmills This team hasn’t been grossly insulted by the CFP. UCF went 13-0 with 2 Top 25 wins, and didn’t even make the Top 10 in 2017. Then to start in 2018, after going 22-0 they STILL DIDNT MAKE THE TOP 10. Then they finish back to back undefeated seasons with conference championships and Top 25 wins, and they don’t even make the Top 5. What’s even worse is that this isn’t the first time UCF had been hot. 2010-2013 UCF saw multiple 10 wins seasons, including 2013 where they had 2 Top 20 wins, a road win at Penn State, and 3 point loss to #4 South Carolina. They didn’t even make the Top 15 that year.... So what you have is a team that has had consistent and multiple seasons of zero respect for ironically the largest university in the country.

[@brian2440]

What was the last team to go undefeated in back to back seasons? 2009-2010 TCU? Now granted that team was considerably better than UCF, but they weren’t actually in the power 5 and because of that didn’t ever make a championship (despite 6 Top 25 wins and back to back #1 defenses in the country). So when was the last time a Power 5 team went undefeated back to back years? I think it’s back in the 1990s Nebraska days.

[@daviddrewmills]

@@brian2440 I mean i hear you. I just like how Minnesota's coach handled himself. As opposed to UCF hanging their own "national champions" banner. I do however think that those whow are saying "seeeeeeeee" in regards to UCFs season this year are hating. UCF played a great game against LSU but was hurt on some dumb penalties and they were without their phenom QB. UCF could have definitely competed with anyone in the country. Unfortunately their program is no where near the caliber of some power 5 teams

[@brian2440]

daviddrewmills So you want them to just take bs from the league? Boise State has done that for 20 years and look where it’s got them... Boise State is the 4th best team in college football by career record, and have not had a losing season since 1997. They have tried to get into the Pac12 6 f@cking times! Denied every time. When you keep getting screwed by the league based on complete bs, yeah believe it or not Teams get pretty pissed off. I’m just waiting for a team to make a Utah response, and hopefully it happens pretty soon.

[@brian2440]

daviddrewmills People forget that perhaps the single most important incident that led to the creation of the playoff is from the Group of 5. In 2008 Utah from MWC went 12-0 with 3 Top 25 wins, and win on the road against Michigan. Instead choosing undefeated teams the BCS selected two one-loss teams from the Power 5. Utah was selected to play against #3 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and came in as 12 point underdogs. By the end of the first quarter it was 21-0 Utah. They won 31-17, and finished as the ONLY undefeated team that year. They too were told don’t declare yourself national champions, even though multiple metrics and voters supported them as the #1 team. In response Utah sent a declaration for an 8 team playoff to the NCAA, to which they revived no response. They were pissed off and felt disrespected. So what did they do? They responded in kind by petitioning the state government and senators of Utah. In 2010 Utah Senator Orrin Hatch launch a FEDERAL INVESTIGATION into the NCAA for Anti-Trust violations and Fraud...citing the decision to not include Utah solely because they were from the MWC... During the US Senate hearings for the investigation it was brought up multiple times with concern that the NCAA did not have a playoff. It’s amazing how people forget this and act like the Group of 5 did nothing to push for a playoff... I’d say having the US government indict the entire league association is quite a escalation...

[@paulallen3834]

Fleck looks like he needs some good sleep.

[@juice8549]

Georgia lost to South Carolina and South Carolina lost to Appalachian State but Georgia is #4 ?! Georgia is OVERRATED!!!

[@bobbyski4483]

App state is 8-1 so I’m not sure how that’s relevant. Georgia has also beaten ND and Florida. They deserve to be #4

[@tigerfan65656]

Georgias best win is against Notre Dame who got blown out vs Michigan. Sec bias

[@bobbyski4483]

tigerfan65656 Georgia’s best win is definitely against #11 Florida. ND and Michigan are also both good teams

[@jlking8724]

Transitive property doesn't always work

[@harrycojones4273]

JL King ... buy low, sell high

[@Jacob-bo6dk]

I’m sorry minn but Iowa needs to stay ranked so littyville can get another quality win

[@rayj7124]

FSU next coach?

[@owomuwu]

He just signed an extension last week and has constantly stated how he doesn't want to go to a blue blood school and be remembered as just another coach in the long line of past ones. In an interview he expressed his desire to stay in Minnesota and return the program to its glory days of winning 7 national championships between 1904 and 1960 (5 of them came during their dynasty: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, and 1941) He wants to stay in Minnesota, fortunate for us and unfortunate for every blue blood looking for a new coach.

[@timallen609]

Bring Floyd home PJ please

[@TrumpSigmaGrindset]

Those of you saying Alabama won’t get in, your wrong. I’m not saying this because I want it to happen but because when Georgia, a two loss team at that point, will have lost to SOUTH CAROLINA and LSU then the committee will put them in because ESPN runs the CFP and they always favor the SEC let’s be honest

[@aceking_offsuit]

It's all going to depend on what else happens. LSU and Clemson and Ohio State are locks if they run the table. What happens if Baylor runs the table as well? Do they really keep out an undefeated Big 12 champ in favor of an Alabama team with maybe 2 good wins (Auburn and TAMU)?

[@TrumpSigmaGrindset]

I think they do with the disrespect that they gave Baylor in the last rankings and one of the key factors is that Alabama’s margin of victory is larger in a tougher conference

[@aceking_offsuit]

@@TrumpSigmaGrindset Baylor is ranked low for the same reason Minnesota was ranked low in the first rankings: strong performances but no "great" wins. If they take care of Oklahoma and Texas in their next 2 games they'll shoot right up the rankings.

[@LuckyDuckie115]

If they win out, gophers are in

[@im_him6018]

B10 COY!

[@steveg2448]

Most coaches hate this guy

[@tonymanero8540]

Look I am a College Football fan. And when I hear the ESPN supposed expert explaining why Alabama should be ranked over Georgia I laugh. His explanation big win and bad loses. So he states sure Alabama has no big wins but they have a good loss and Georgia has two good wins but a bad loss. So if I was questioning him , Why not Minnesota at 4. They have a top 4 win and they don't have no losses. And please don't tell me Alabama has a rougher schedule than Minnesota. South Carolina just lost to Appalachian St. at home.

[@BloodFeitan]

College football runs off of Legacy too much

[@tobydanigg9201]

... wgaf ? Dilligaf? RMFT .

[@Benjamin-lq1sf]

r/ihadastroke

[@tobydanigg9201]

@@Benjamin-lq1sf lol 🤣😂

[@chrisboss6123]

Go Gators

[@emcllns]

Next Auburn coach

[@MrTank0809]

Pistachio war eagle

[@andrewunderwood7071]

Pistachio I hunk he just signed this super long contract with Minn. but maybe in 2029 he’ll be the Auburn coach.

[@emcllns]

@@andrewunderwood7071 If we can get Arkansas to buy Gus out, Fleck would come if offered, and we'd come out even.

[@Nastyfinger1444]

Minnesota should be much higher. I am not a Big 10 guy by the way.

[@standarsh2186]

If they keep winning they will go higher.

[@salvatorezagra864]

Too bad they will lose in Kinnick stadium and then to Wisconsin, they'll finish ranked #15-#17, which is good for minny...I like Fleck though

[@wickis]

I can see the wisco loss but they wont lose to Iowa unless they really choke. iowa sucks on offense and cant seem to finish big games

[@salvatorezagra864]

@@wickis Kinnick stadium is tough, and Iowa almost beat Wisconsin, I'm telling you minny played absolutely out of their minds against PSU, the best they have played in 20+ years, they AREN'T GOOD, stuff the run, don't leave their WR wide open and don't beat yourself with turnovers...

[@soag87]

@@salvatorezagra864 Congratulations on this winning formula. Who knew that stopping the other team on offense and then not turning the ball over would be the secret sauce?

[@salvatorezagra864]

@@soag87 the point is all you gotta do is the bare minimum in order to beat minny because they aren't a good team, they only win if you beat yourself with mistakes because THEY CAN NOT BEAT YOU

[@soag87]

@@salvatorezagra864 Interesting theory. Problem is at 37.6 ppg scoring average, I'm having a hard time grasping how the bare minimum is going to cut it.

[@wisconsinbadger5948]

tell Floyd Mayweather he cant be elite in only one area

[@icegamer7486]

well I'm pissed about the rankings because Oregon Utah Minnesota and Penn State our infront of Oklahoma

[@icegamer7486]

im not saying this because ima Oklahoma fan but I can see Oklahoma whooping these teams

[@eatonville0565]

Ethan Cervantes, just like they did Kansas State, right...

[@eodyn7]

They should be.

[@icegamer7486]

Kansas state could potently beat Oregon and Clemson that's how overrated I think Oregon and Clemson are but Oklahoma are always undefeated when they were prepared but against k-state

[@whywelovefilm7079]

No offense to Minnesota, I think they’re having a historical season and I wish them the best. But c’mon, they’re now the #8 team in the country? Ahead of Oklahoma???? They have played nobody this year and they’re 1 big win was against a team that a lot of people weren’t sold on, a team that shocked everyone when they were put in the Top 4 of the CFP Rankings, and was easily the weakest team out of the 4 teams. It’s a big win for them but I don’t see how you go from #17-#8 with that schedule and only one quality win. How are they ahead of Oklahoma? OU was one of the most dominant teams in CFB. They have one loss and that was to a Top 25 K-State team. They would destroy Minnesota. Just saying... 🤷‍♂️

[@ed7800]

Shut up.Minnesota has no bad losses

[@atimtg]

It's simple, unless your ALABAMA - you're not allowed to lose and expect to get into playoff. You must win them all and so far they have. If they win the rest, most certainly will have better resume than Okie.

[@RonMexico7]

Why We Love Film they’ve played no one. Lol. Oklahoma lost to Kansas state. That’s why. Good teams don’t lose to bad teams. Minnesota hasn’t lost.

[@eodyn7]

"They have played nobody" except for the #4 team in the nation.

[@whywelovefilm7079]

Eodyn besides the last 2-3 games, they haven’t won by more then a TD and they needed OT just to be Fresno State. And that win against “the #4 team in the nation” was against a Penn State team that nobody was sold on and who shouldn’t have even been in the Top 5. Even if you want to give them that, that doesn’t not equate a jump from 17 to 8

[@bigdofba]

Minnesota Came from behind to beat South Dakota St. in the final minute. They beat Fresno St in overtime. Then they beat Ga. Southern by 3 points. The only good team they have beaten is Penn State. This team would get drilled by the elite teams in College football. Well at least find out if they get Ohio State.

[@timallen609]

Funny dumbfuck . Now how you start the seasson . Its how you finish and the Gophers have been beating people up . But you want to talk about their first 3 games huh dumbfuck ? So our QB who went 18-20 339 yards against number 5 Penn state doesnt show you he might be pretty good dumbfuck? Hilarious Minnesota had the offensive and defensive Big Ten player of the week and have had said such awards 8 times this year so Munnesota can ball ok dumbfuck?

[@btipton6899]

I love this story and PJ is a great coach, but you guys are going to get EVISCERATED by Ohio State in Indy. Stick to hockey and wrestling ❤❤❤

[@harrycojones4273]

Minnesota is soft

[@das8771]

Sounds like a Used Car Salesman.

[@chehati123]

and he looks like 18mil

[@missourimanful]

@DA S - Totally disagree. You don’t get to where Minnesota is right now by being a “used car salesman”. I am not a Gopher fan but I really respect their coach and their players. I am rooting for them to win the Big 10 now.

[@atimtg]

Actually sounds like a social studies teacher.

[@darronnelson953]

Fleck sounds like a 9-0 coach to me. Going back to last year, 11-0 which is third longest winning streak in the country.

[@Yyyyyy5]

@@darronnelson953 that will all take care of itself this Saturday. Headache and late night infomercials in the dark for you my friend. Waking up Sunday wishing it was just a bad dream.

[@SAY-fg5qd]

Penn State is overrated!