How much does P.J. Fleck like mayonnaise? Riding a three-game winning streak, the Gophers can believe a bowl berth is not only possible but likely this season, with only one more win needed in the final four games to become eligible for the postseason. If Minnesota (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) reaches that mark or beyond, a spot in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina might be the team’s destination. Recent bowl projections have been mentioning it for the U. That bowl’s viral moment usually comes with the winning coach having more than four gallons of mayonnaise oozed onto his head in a postgame celebration. For being subjected to the condiment, a $10,000 donation is made to the charity of his choice. The Gophers’ first three-game Big Ten winning streak since 2022 was made possible Saturday, in part, by the improved play of the offensive line in the 48-23 win over Maryland. The O-line didn’t allow quarterback Max Brosmer to be sacked for the first time in eight games this season. With time to operate and work through his progressions, Brosmer was able to pick apart the Terrapins, with nearly 80% completions to seven pass catchers for 320 yards and four touchdowns. “When you talk about Max’s performance, he didn’t get sacked,” Fleck said postgame. “You keep him back there clean, he can do what he just did.” For instance, Brosmer had all day to wait for Elijah Spencer to get open on a deep over route in the second quarter. The 28-yard completion led to another touchdown and a rollicking 31-3 lead before halftime. Brosmer’s first comment about what clicked Saturday was illustrative: “I thought, No. 1, our offensive line protected their butts off.” The Gophers’ execution from the line to the quarterback, running backs and receivers allowed them to go 9 for 13 on third-down conversions. Besides no sacks, Maryland managed only had six pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. While Brosmer was kept upright, running back Darius Taylor had a tougher time. He had only 28 yards on 12 carries (2.3 yards per rush) until his 51-yard touchdown run to start the fourth quarter. On that explosive play, center Greg Johnson got to the second level to seal off a linebacker, while Aireontae Ersery, Ashton Beers and Tony Nelson also won up front. On Saturday, Nelson saw his first extensive playing time (23 offensive snaps) at left guard this season. Minnesota Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) is congratulated on his touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins in the first quarter of an NCAA football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press) “Good offensive staffs adapt to the personnel that they have,” Fleck said. “We can say, ‘Why aren’t we running the ball?’ We just scored 41 points on offense. You have to have balance.” Fleck knows they will have to run the ball with more consistency in November. At some point, they might have to rely on it. “If running is what we have to do, we have to be able to do that,” Fleck said. “If throwing is what we have to do to win the game, we have to do that. You would love to be 200/200 (yards rushing/yards passing).” On Saturday, it was 320 through the air and 123 on the ground. As the Gophers look to eclipse the Las Vegas over/under win total of 5.5, there are favorable matchups for the U offensive line in the final month. The 24th-ranked Illinois Illini (6-2, 3-2) are not as formidable up front this season without mammoth anchor Jer’Zhan Newton — the defensive tackle was a second-round NFL pick by Washington in April. This season, Illinois is allowing 4.5 yards per carry (92nd in nation) and have accumulated only 112 pressures (10th in Big Ten) this season, according to PFF. The Gophers opened as a slight favorite, minus-1.5 points, over the Illini for the 11 a.m. kickoff in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday. Minnesota — which has three of its remaining four on the road — will then travel to New Jersey on Nov. 9 to play Rutgers (4-4, 1-4), which is allowing 4.4 yards per carry (86th in nation) and have totaled only 104 pressures (15th in Big Ten). After the second bye week, No. 3 Penn State (7-0, 4-0) comes to Huntington Bank Stadium and their defense is the best remaining unit Minnesota will face. They are allowing 3.2 yards per rush (13th in country) and have 124 pressures (sixth-best in the conference). Minnesota will then close out the regular season at Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2) on the day after Thanksgiving. The Badgers defense is carrying its offense but is still not great against the run, giving up 4.4 per carry (86th in nation) and also has created only 104 pressures (15th in the conference). If the Gophers offensive line can build on one of its best games of the year against Maryland, Fleck might not have to worry about the stickiness or the smelliness of gallons of mayo dumped on him as the U perhaps heads to an better bowl. Tale of the tape The Gophers’ four remaining opponents based on ESPN’s Football Power Index. Team — overall rank (offense/defense) Illinois — 42 (50/60) Rutgers — 81 (54/104) Penn State — 14 (12/10) Wisconsin — 39 (76/28) Context: Minnesota — 40 (60/18) Related Articles College Sports | Gophers pass defense mostly grounds Maryland in blowout win College Sports | Max Brosmer’s career day leads Gophers to 48-23 win over Maryland College Sports | Gophers linebacker Maverick Baranowski to return vs. Maryland College Sports | Gophers football vs. Maryland: Keys to game, how to watch, who has the edge College Sports | Three reasons why a local financial firm plans to give $1 million to Gophers’ NIL collective