Gopher Fan Monthly: Recent Episodes

gopherfanmonthly

Minnesota Golden Gopher Football Fan Podcast

Recorded on April 18, 2021

In this episode of the podcast:

We open the show interviewing Adam Munsterteiger (@adamcm777 on Twitter) from BuffStampede (BuffStampede.com), the Colorado 247Sports affiliate, to discuss what the Gophers can look forward to when they travel to Boulder to take on Colorado (skip to 2:30 mark of the podcast for the interview).

2. We then interview Tim Chapman, (@Champion_Lit on Twitter) from cfpcollegefootball.com to help us discuss the Gophers final non-conference game, Bowling Green and what the Gophers should expect out of Bowling Green in 2021. (Jump to the 35:40 mark of the podcast).

3. In the final segment of the podcast we break down the the NFL Draft outlook for WR Rashod Bateman and CB Benjamin St. Juste, the two major Gopher players expected to hear their names called in the 2021 Draft. We also talk about the Gophers selling out the full 10,000 tickets for the upcoming May 1st Gopher Spring Game. Lastly, we talk about the NCAA lifting the recruiting ban that has been in place for around 15 months now.

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

Recorded on March 21, 2021

In this episode of the podcast:

We open the show discussing the NCAA March Madness Mens Basketball tournament and the Richard Pitino firing as Gophers Men's Basketball Coach. At the time of recording, the Gophers had not hired the new coach.

2. (Jump to the 5:10 mark of the podcast) Next we talk about the Gopher football team's first opponent of the season, Ohio State, with Steve Helwagen (@SteveHelwagen on Twitter) from Bucknuts, the Ohio State 247Sports affiliate.

3. (Jump to the 45:10 mark of the podcast) Lastly, we dive into the Gophers next opponent on the schedule, the Miami-OH Redhawks with Steve Helwick (@s_helwick on Twitter) from Hustle Belt and Underdog Dynasty, a couple sites associated with SBNation.

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

Recorded on Feb 21, 2021

In this episode of the podcast:

We discuss the NCAA pushing back recruiting dead period through May 31st (15 straight months) and the impacts that has had, and continues to have, on the Gophers, including pushing out Gopher spring practice with a possible May spring game (this is a good thing!).

2. We discuss the Big Ten announcing a revised 2021 conference schedule and what has changed for the Gophers (not too much) and how it impacts the Gophers (verdict is still out on that for the time being).

3. We interview Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB on Twitter) from SaturdayTradition.com (@Tradition on Twitter) as we cover all things Big Ten football. Topics include: the key takeaways from the 2020 season, how the Big Ten handled the lead-up to the season, his biggest surprise and disappointment from 2020, who he thinks might be on the hotseat heading into 2021 and what he's paying attention to the most as we start the ramp-up to the 2021 season. Interview starts at the 22:30 mark of the podcast.

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

Podcast recorded on December 13th, prior to National Signing Day

In this episode of the podcast:

We break down the Gophers 24-17 win over Nebraska
We preview Minnesota's 9th game "crossover" with Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan's Axe

3. We interview Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN on Twitter) from GopherIllustrated (https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/) to review the 2021 Minnesota recruiting class that signed on Wednesday. Go to the 7:52 mark of the podcast for this interview

4. We discuss the Big Ten Championship and whether the Big Ten got it right

We discuss the Gophers bowl chances win or lose vs Wisconsin and whether or not the Gophers will even play in a bowl game
Finally we want to wish all our listeners a very happy, and enjoyable holiday season and we look forward to continuing the podcast in 2021.

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

Recorded on Jan 31, 2021

In this episode of the podcast:

We recap the College Football Playoff

2. We discuss what we will remember most about the 2020 Minnesota Gopher season and we give position grades to the team.

3. We discuss the P.J. Fleck/Tennessee rumors

We discuss Avante Dickerson decommitment and the Transfer Portal news

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

NOTE: We recorded the podcast the weekend before Thanksgiving week, before the news of the Gophers games against Wisconsin and Northwestern were postponed due to COVID-19.

In this episode of the podcast:

We break down the Gophers 2-3 start to the season.

2. We discuss the positives and negatives of the team at the halfway point.

3. We take a look at the rest of the Big Ten landscape and the surprises (good and bad).

We look ahead to the rest of the season.
We interview Tim Chapman (@Champion_Lit on Twitter) from WildcatReport (https://northwestern.rivals.com/) to discuss Northwestern

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

In this episode of the podcast:

We discuss NCAA news, including Big Ten players opting in, bowl cancellations, player injuries

2. We cover the Michigan game at a high level. Deep dive analysis can be found in our episode 17 Michigan breakdown.

3. We break down who we think will win the Big Ten conferences and overall Minnesota win/loss prediction

Be sure to find us by searching for Gopher Fan Monthly on most major podcasting platforms (Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartMedia Podcasts, Podbean), on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly), and if you have questions or inquiries please email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

In this episode of the podcast:

We discuss the Big Ten's announcement that they will resume playing with an 8 game, conference-only, schedule starting October 24th

2. Starting at ~ the 12:50 mark of the podcast, we interview former Gopher DB/LB from 1992-1995 Justin Conzemius (@JustinConzemius on Twitter), to discuss his Gopher career and his thoughts on the current Gopher program.

Be sure to find us on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly) and email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

In this episode of the podcast:

We discuss the Big Ten's announcement earlier this month that they are postponing the fall sports season and will attempt to play college football in the spring and the impact on the Gopher football program and the Big Ten as a whole.

2. Starting at ~ the 17:00 mark of the podcast, we interview Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN on Twitter), the lead publisher for GopherIllustrated (https://247sports.com/college/minnesota/) to discuss the recent news as it pertains to the Gopher football program. Topics include:

Thoughts on Big Ten decision to postpone the fall season
The mood inside the Gopher program in light of the Big Ten announcement
His win-loss prediction for the Gophers with the old schedule and the revised conference-only schedule
Current state of recruiting...including thoughts on the negative recruiting Minnesota received in the wake of the civil unrest in the spring, where things stand currently with recruiting, how many openings remain and potential transfers.

Be sure to find us on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly) and email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

In this episode of the podcast:

We discuss the Big Ten's announcement earlier this month that they were going to a conference-only schedule and omitting non-conference games and the implications of this on the Gophers in 2020 and the college football landscape as a whole in 2020

2. Starting at ~ the 27:30 mark of the podcast, we interview Stephen Brooks (@StephenM_Brooks on Twitter) a beat writer for Spartan Tailgate (https://247sports.com/college/michigan-state/) to discuss Michigan State football in 2020 including:

Mark Dantonio's departure and Mel Tucker's arrival
Who the likely QB will be?
How good can Elijah Collins can be at RB?
Who will make up the receiving weapons?
Can the OL can rebound from an injury-plagued season?
Can the Spartan defense keep up its level of play despite several departures at DL, LB and DB?
What to expect of the Spartan win/loss record?
Lastly, Mike Carmin (@carmin_jc on Twitter) the Purdue beat writer for the Lafayette Journal & Courier (https://www.jconline.com/sports/) joins us again this year to break down all things Purdue football in 2020 topics include:
Who is expected to win the QB battle?
How good King Deroue can be at RB?
How awesome Rondale Moore and David Bell will be as a WR combo in 2020?
What to expect as an encore out of George Karlaftis?
What else to expect out of the Purdue defense?
What are expectations for Purdue this year

Be sure to find us on Twitter (@go4fanmonthly) and email (gopherfanmonthly@gmail.com)

For the June 2020 edition of the Gopher Fan Monthly Podcast, we interview Austin Fox, @AustinFox42 on Twitter, from TheWolverine.com (https://michigan.rivals.com) on what to look for from Michigan in the 2020 season. Topics include:

State of the QB position post-Shea Patterson
What Zach Charbonnet, Hassan Haskins and Chris Evans do for an encore
How loaded are the Michigan receivers
How Michigan's makeshift OL will look like in 2020
How loaded Michigan's defense will be in 2020
What are the fan expectations for Michigan's record in 2020?

The Michigan coverage starts at the 10:53 mark of the podcast.

We wrap up this episode talking about Illinois in 2020 with Bob Asmussen (@BobAsmussen on twitter), University of Illinois sports beat writer for the Champaign News-Gazette and IlliniHQ, (https://www.news-gazette.com/sports/illini-sports) on what to expect out of Illinois in 2020. Topics include:

Recapping last year, including the improbable comeback wins over Wisconsin and Michigan State
What Illinois can expect out of Brandon Peters at QB in year #2
Who will take over at RB to replace Reggie Corbin and Dre Brown?
How good Josh Imatorbhebhe, Ricky Smalling and the rest of the Illini receivers can be and what to expect out of TE Luke Ford now that he is finally eligible?
How good can the Illini OL be this year with 4 returning starters?
Where will the Illini find a pass rush after the loss of Betiku?
How good the back seven of the defense will be with everybody returning other than LB Dele Harding and Safety Stanley Green?
What are the expectations for Illinois's win/loss record in 2020?

Start the podcast at the 57:48 mark for the Illinois portion of the podcast.

For the May 2020 edition of the Gopher Fan Monthly Podcast, we interview Thomas Kendziora, @TKendziora37 on Twitter, from PressBoxOnline (https://pressboxonline.com) on what to look for from Maryland in the 2020 season. Topics include:

State of the QB position with the recent transfer of Taulia Tagovailoa and Josh Jackson and Lance LeGendre
How Maryland replaces Javon Leake and Anthony McFarland at RB
Behind Dontay Demus at WR, who will Maryland rely on? Incoming 5* Rakim Jarrett?
What should people expect out of the Maryland defense?
What are the fan expectations for Iowa's record in 2020?

We wrap up this episode talking Wisconsin 2020 with Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKoco on twitter), Publisher/Beat Writer for AllBadgers, the new Wisconsin Badger-related SportsIllustrated channel - (https://www.si.com/college/wisconsin/) on what to expect out of Wisconsin in 2020 following their Big Ten West title in 2019. Topics include:

Is the QB job Jack Coan's to lose or can Graham Mertz make up ground?
What will Wisconsin do at RB to replace the irreplaceable Jonathan Taylor?
Wisconsin loses its top option at WR in Quintez Cephus, what does Wisconsin do there and can TE Jake Ferguson be the answer?
Wisconsin loses 3 starters at OL, can Wisconsin's OL assembly line continue?
Wisconsin's stellar defense returns almost everybody from last year other than the departures of LB Zach Baun and Chris Orr, so what does Wisconsin's defense have in store in 2020?
What are the expectations for Wisconsin's win/loss record in 2020?

For the April 2020 edition of the Gopher Fan Monthly Podcast, we interview Sean Bock, @SeanBock247 on Twitter, from Hawkeye Insider (the Iowa 247Sports site, https://247sports.com/college/iowa/) on what to look for from Iowa in the 2020 season. Topics include:

What is next for Iowa at QB with the loss of 3 year starter Nate Stanley
Is Tyler Goodson the next star Iowa RB?
Is this the best collective group of receivers at Iowa?
With Tristan Wirfs off to the NFL how does Iowa reload the OL?
Iowa's plans to replace three star DL, including superstar A.J. Epenesa
Kristian Welch, Geno Stone and Michael Ojemudia are all gone in back half of the defense, what does Iowa do to fill these shoes?
What are the fan expectations for Iowa's record in 2020?

We then talk about Minnesota's final non-conference opponent BYU with Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper on twitter), one of the main contributors to Cougar Sports Insider - the BYU 247Sports site (https://247sports.com/college/byu/) on BYU's outlook for 2020. Topics include:

A breakdown of the BYU's LDS (Latter Day Saints) mission process and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the existing missions and the implications on BYU's roster management for the 2020 season.
Does BYU have any position battles of note in 2020?
How will the WR, OL, LB positions shake out as there are a lot of potential options for BYU to work with?
What BYU's tough schedule means for BYU in 2020?

In this special NFL Draft episode, we interview football expert Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan on Twitter), founder of Football Gameplan, http://footballgameplan.com/ about this thoughts on the 2020 NFL Draft.

Who Emory would take at #1 if the Bengals asked him?
His thoughts on the other QB's...Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa
His most underrated and overrated players in the draft
His thoughts on the NFL draft prospects from 2019 FCS opponent South Dakota State
His thoughts on any future NFL talent on 2020 FCS opponent Tennessee Tech
How the current COVID-19 pandemic could impact next year's draft

Plus, since this is a Gopher-related podcast, his thoughts on the current crop of draft-eligible Gophers as well as potential future NFL prospects for Tanner Morgan and Rashod Bateman.

Plus so much more on this special edition!!!

In this episode, we discuss the coronavirus/covid-19 pandemic and the impacts it has had on not only Gopher football, specifically the cancellation of spring practices across all of college football.

We then dive into Minnesota's first opponent in the 2020 season, Florida Atlantic, hot off an 11 win season, a Conference-USA championship and an impressive bowl win over SMU. We interview Khobi Price from the South Florida Sun-Suntinel newspaper (https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fau-owls/) to dive deeper into the program and the expectations for the 2020 season. This starts at around the 16:30 mark of the podcast

Lastly, we chat with Ben Craven from the Cookesville Herald-Citizen newspaper (http://herald-citizen.com/category/sports/browse.html) to learn more about Minnesota's second opponent of the season Tennessee Tech from the FCS. Tech enters 2020 with its first 6 win season since 2011 and is looking to establish itself as a factor in the Ohio Valley Conference. You can scroll to the 1 hour 08 minute mark of the podcast for our interview with Ben.

In the 12th episode of #gfmpod, Nick and Mike interview Dustin Schutte from https://saturdaytradition.com/ to discuss current affairs in the Big Ten and, specifically the Gophers. Also, with spring practice starting for the Gophers, we discuss our big spring practice storylines that we are paying attention to. Next, we take a high level look at the Gopher 2020 schedule and our early impressions of what it means for the Gophers in 2020. Lastly, in the Hotseat Question segment, we answer fan questions and afterwards Nick grills Mike on why the Gophers have struggled against Iowa and Wisconsin for the last 40 years and what his favorite college football video game of all time is.

In Episode #11, Nick and Mike:

Full recap of the 2019 season
Review the Gophers Outback Bowl win over Auburn
Give out our position grades for the Gophers
Review coaching moves and player departures
Lastly, Mike asks Nick the hotseat questions, and we answer our first audience question

In Episode #10, Nick and Mike:

Talk with Kyle Goblirsch from Gopher Illustrated on the 2019 Gopher recruiting class and the early signing period
Review the Wisconsin loss and College Gameday
Briefly review the 2019 season for Minnesota
Preview the Outback Bowl matchup versus the Auburn Tigers
Lastly, Nick asks Mike the hotseat questions

In Episode #9, Nick and Mike:

Recap the Penn State, Iowa and Northwestern games
Talk about general feelings of being 10-1 and all the records Minnesota has either broken this year or is on the cusp of breaking
Break down everything regarding the Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe against Wisconsin on Saturday the 30th
Talk bowl possibilities with a win or a loss to Wisconsin (spoiler: Minnesota's set up to play in arguably their best bowl game in 50+ years regardless of what happens this Saturday)
Lastly, Mike asks Nick the hotseat questions this episode

In Episode #8,

Nick and Mike recap the first 8 games of the season, specifically the conference games and our feelings on the undefeated 8-0 ranked Gophers and all the positive vibes going on in the program right now. We contrast what has happened with how we expected things to go in the game previews for the games from previous episodes
Nick and Mike preview the final 4 games of the season, with specific emphasis on Penn State and Iowa
Lastly, Nick asks Mike the hotseat questions this episode

In Episode #7,

Nick and Mike break down what has happened the first 3 games of the Gopher football season. Things we've liked and disliked. Compare our notes from the Previews we did on South Dakota State, Fresno State and Georgia Southern from Episode #1 and Episode #2
We peer into our crystal balls and forecast where the Gophers will be a month from now at the halfway mark
We discuss the things in college football that have been our biggest surprises (good and bad)
Mike puts Nick on the hotseat with the hotseat questions this month

In Episode #6, we conclude the review of Minnesota's 2019 opponents, this week previewing Northwestern and Wisconsin, followed up by more Hot Seat Questions from Nick to Mike. Previewing Northwestern, we interview Joe Weinberg a football writer for the Northwestern SBNation site, InsideNU (https://www.insidenu.com/), about what to expect from Northwestern in the 2019 football season. In previewing Wisconsin, we interview Jake Kocorowski, a football writer for Badger Blitz, the Wisconsin Rivals site (https://wisconsin.rivals.com), about what Wisconsin is expected to do in 2019. In the Hotseat Question segment, Nick puts Mike on the hotseat with questions about which P5 schools from the other conferences Mike would like Minnesota to schedule, which schools Mike would have the Big 10 add if there was additional expansion as well as his most overrated and underrated schools in 2019 as we close in on the season. Lastly, Mike and Nick break down what they expect out of Minnesota in 2019.

In Episode #5, we continue reviewing Minnesota's 2019 opponents, this week previewing Penn State and Iowa, followed up by more Hot Seat Questions from Mike to Nick. Previewing Penn State, we interview Tim Aydin a football writer for the Penn State SBNation site, Black Shoe Diaries (https://www.blackshoediaries.com/), about what to expect from Penn State in the 2019 football season. In previewing Iowa, we interview Mark Emmert (no not that Mark Emmert, a football writer for the Des Moines Register newspaper (https://www.desmoinesregister.com/), about what Iowa has cooking in 2019. Lastly, as already mentioned, Mike puts Nick on the hot seat by asking him the tough questions this month.

In Episode #4, we continue reviewing Minnesota's 2019 opponents, this week previewing Rutgers and Maryland. Previewing Rutgers, we interview David Anderson the lead football writer for the Rutgers SBNation site, On The Banks (https://www.onthebanks.com/), about what to expect from Rutgers in the 2019 football season. In previewing Maryland, we interview Thomas Kendziora, the lead football writer for Maryland's SBNation site, Testudo Times (https://www.testudotimes.com/), about new Maryland head coach Mike Locksley and what to expect out of Maryland in 2019. Lastly, Nick puts Mike on the hot seat by asking him the tough questions this month.

In this episode, Nick and Mike talk:

NFL Draft recap, specifically related to Minnesota draft-eligible players, but also Big Ten and the draft as a whole. You can find this starting at the 3:14 mark of the podcast
Interview Bob Asmussen, the Illinois beat writer from the Champaign News Gazette newspaper, on what to expect from Illinois football in 2019. You can find this starting at the 11:14 mark of the podcast
Interview Brian Christopherson, a senior staff writer from Husker247, on what to expect from the Nebraska Cornhusker football team in 2019. You can find this at the 54:23 mark of the podcast
Mike puts Nick on the Gopher Hot Seat with 3 tough questions. You can find this at the 1 hour 45 minute mark of the podcast

In this episode Nick and Mike have the following guests:

Mike Carmin who covers Purdue football for the Lafayette Journal & Courier newspaper, joins to discuss Purdue Boilermaker Football
Emory Hunt, owner of Football Gameplan (footballgameplan.com), joins to discuss NFL Draft topics, including Gopher players, LB Blake Cashman and OL Donell Greene and their draft prospects
Kyle Goblirsch from GopherIllustrated joined to discuss the state of the Minnesota Gopher program following the conclusion of spring practice

In this episode we interview:

Matt Zimmer from the Sioux Falls Argus Leader newspaper on Minnesota's first opponent for 2019, South Dakota State Jackrabbits
Anthony De Leon from the Fresno State Collegian newspaper to discuss Minnesota's second opponent for 2019, the Fresno State Bulldogs
Eric Vegoe from The Athletic joins to discuss Gopher men's hockey
Kyle Goblirsch from GopherIllustrated joined to discuss Gopher football recruiting topics