The Monday Perspective wonders where this season has gone for the Gophers.

It really feels like the season just started a few weeks ago. Turns out that was almost 3 months ago and Saturday is Senior Day for Gopher Football. The seniors get to close out their final home game with a chance to pull off a special win over #4 Penn State.

With only 2 weeks left in the season before the team learns their bowl game destination, the fan base engagement will depend entirely on where they go. Another trip to Detroit and I suspect significant apathy. Get a big win (or two) to end the season and earn a trip to Nashville or Charlotte, and there could be some intrigue in more than just the transfer window come December.

16 seniors on this year’s roster are playing in their final home game as a Gopher. There will be several who will also be playing their last home game as a Gopher. The reality of college football today is that you never just lose your seniors, another offseason of worrying about who will hit the transfer portal is more important than who the incoming freshmen are.

Some of these seniors have had great Gopher careers.

• Daniel Jackson is one of the program’s all-time leading receivers. He is currently 5th all-time in yards, will likely pass Tutu Atwell for 4th and an outside shot at catching Ron Johnson for 3rd.
• Justin Walley has been a fixture at corner for years, and along with Jackson, he may hear his name called in this spring’s NFL Draft.
• Mark Crawford and Dragan Kesich have had outstanding punting and kicking careers for Minnesota. Despite some ugly special teams seasons, the two have been great.
• Max Brosmer, Jack Henderson, Ethan Robinson and Elijah Spencer were incoming transfers who made a big impact in their time here.
• Tyler Cooper and Quinn Carroll have combined for over 50 starts along the offensive line, and their experience will also be missed.
• Danny Striggow has had a really nice senior season, while Darnell Jefferies and Logan Richter have been key players in the rotation for a couple of seasons.

Aireontae Ersery is not a senior but is definitely leaving early for the NFL Draft, leaving a big hole at left tackle for the Gopher offense.

But the real question is…who else will leave? We will obviously bring in transfers to help supplement the roster, but who will leave is a big question mark.

Will Darius Taylor leave for a bigger program? This year’s offensive line struggled to open holes for him, and next year’s line is not expected to be a strength. Will some of the guys along the defensive line get offers they can’t refuse for their final season or two? Koi Perich will almost certainly get calls and outstanding offers from schools in the mix for the college football playoff. Should we be worried about him?

I don’t lie awake worrying about these things, and neither should anyone outside the football offices. Ultimately, I am thankful for the football season, for what the seniors brought to this program and the opportunities that are still out there for this team.

Can the Gophers take their seniors out on a high note while ruining Penn State’s season?

Can this team go to Madison, win the Ax and ruin Wisconsin’s season?

Can they come to a fun bowl game?

It’s still all out there for this team. Thank you for this season and these seniors. Excited to see this season play out.