After two consecutive eight-win seasons, this was not the year that members of Minnesota's football program envisioned for themselves. Then again, little about the 2015 campaign went according to plan. The fact Minnesota is still standing as a five-win bowl team, even on a technicality, should be cause for at least a small measure of celebration.
Head coach Jerry Kill made positive gains with the Gophers in each of his first four seasons and nearly led the team to a Big Ten title game a year ago. For that reason, Minnesota was considered a favorite to win the Big Ten West this season.