We Are Maroon and Gold Episode 092

The 76 albums Chandler listened to in 2019.

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We Are Maroon and Gold Episode 091

A smattering of sports topics.

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We Are Maroon and Gold Episode 090

The Josh Donaldson signing, football, and the death of Neil Peart.

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We Are Maroon and Gold Episode 089

The Bonnaroo lineup, the Gophers and Vikings' unexpected wins and their futures, and a tribute.

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In Review: Auburn 24-31 Minnesota

1. For the first time since the forward pass was legal, Minnesota won 11 games in a season.

P.J. Fleck's third season in charge of the Gophers was the program's best since at least 1967, when they last made the Rose Bowl. Though they fell short of Pasadena in 2019, an 11-2 finish with marquee wins over two brand-name programs shows how far Fleck has already taken Minnesota, as well as where he can take it from this point.

Conference politics are annoying, and the public's heavy reliance on bowl games to inform their opinions is not always logical, but the bottom line is that in college football, perception shapes reality. Programs need narratives on their side to continue to recruit well and to gain and maintain the faith of fans and boosters. Beating an opponent of Auburn's caliber, especially one that comes specifically from the SEC, carries tremendous weight. This win gives Minnesota a major boost of credibility.

This was a joyous season for Minnesota fans, and they should forever cherish its signature moments. But what determines the legacy of the 2019 Gophers — as a brilliant but brief moment, or as the start of something greater — is what comes next. Winning this game increases the chances that what comes next is just as good, if not better.