Minnesota's PJ Fleck on Michigan: 'I Think They're The Best Football Team I've Seen'
No. 2 Michigan clashed with Minnesota on Saturday night, and It was a completely dominant performance from start to finish for the Wolverines.
Michigan outgained the Golden Gophers 432-169 in total yards, 241-52 in passing yards, and 191-177 in rushing yards. The Wolverine defense also forced two massive turnovers, both of which were a pick six. Junior quarterback JJ McCarthy led the way offensively with another efficient performance, finishing the evening going 14-of-20 for 219 yards and one touchdown through the air, as well as another two rushing touchdowns - the first time in his Michigan career rushing for two touchdowns in a single game.
By the time the clock hit zero, Michigan had defeated Minnesota by a score of 52-10, and Gophers head coach PJ Fleck was left to reflect on what he just experienced in facing the Wolverines.
"They're as good as advertised," Fleck said. "I said this on the radio a second ago, I think they're the best team I've seen in 11 years being a head coach. I never seen a football team like that, that deep. I'm not sure if this is true, but I was just told this walking off the field - I think they travelled 75 people and maybe played like 74 of them. I don't know. I mean, they're one of the deepest teams, one of the best teams, one of the biggest teams, fastest teams, strongest teams...and they do not make mistakes. They are truly like a boa constrictor, and they do not beat themselves. They're very good at each position, they're very aligned with everything that they do, and they know who they are."
Fleck's reference of Michigan being a boa constrictor comes courtesy of FOX analyst Joel Klatt, who described the Wolverines the same way just days earlier.
"Michigan is a boa constrictor," said Klatt. "This is a team that moves slowly, they move methodically, it's not explosive, it's not flashy...it's death eventually and inevitably. That's what it is. It's like being in a small cage with a boa constrictor, you will eventually die."
Based on what it looked like Saturday night in Minneapolis, Klatt's description of the No. 2 Wolverines certainly looks accurate.
