2008 Minnesota Gophers
July 16, 2008
Coach Tim Brewster and the Minnesota Golden Gophers can only get better following a 1-11 season in 2007. Brewster’s only taste of victory in his first year as head coach came with a 41-35 overtime victory at home over Miami (Oh.). But the Golden Gophers did lose six games last season by a touchdown or less, proving they can be competitive. Let’s see if they can turn a few more of those close losses into victories this season with Info Plays 2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football predictions.
Offense:
Adam Weber set plenty of school records as a red shirt freshman quarterback in 2007, but his 19 interceptions is the stat that stands out the most. This opened the door for plenty of competition for the starting job in the spring, a question Weber emphatically answered. Weber has strong spring practice and improved his accuracy in the short passing game. He’s also a good athlete, leading the Gophers in rushing yards last season with 617 yards and five touchdowns. Weber is the perfect fit in offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar’s spread offense.
The biggest question will be with the guys surround Weber on offense. Junior Eric Decker set a school record with 67 catches last season, but he’s the only proven returning starter at receiver. The line could also feature three new starters, depending on the competition in the fall. The Gophers have only two proven running backs in sophomore Duane Bennett and junior Jay Thomas, who will be coming off his second ACL surgery.
Defense:
The Gophers ranked last nationally in total defense and put together one of the worst defenses statistically in NCAA history. Ted Roof comes over from Duke to be the defensive coordinator and to try and add some consistency and toughness to this unit. Roof will be the team’s sixth defensive coordinator since 2000. The coaching staff has made defense the priority in recruiting, landing 20 players who could see some action on this side. It won’t be a shock to see seven new starters on defense, including an entirely new secondary, all coming from this recruiting class.
Junior college safety Tramaine Brock enrolled in the winter and participated in spring practice. Coaches love his up side as he brings more speed and playmaking ability to the back end of the Gopher defense. The Gophers will have depth and size along the line and at linebacker. Junior college transfers Tim McGee and Cedrick McKinley along with true freshman Jewhan Edwards and expected to make an immediate impact on the defensive line. Senior defensive end William VanDeSteeg is back after a broken wrist ruined his 2007 campaign. He had 10 sacks as a sophomore and should give the Gophers a strong pass rush off the edge. Senior linebacker Deon Hightower returns from shoulder surgery. Hightower was second on the team with 70 tackles, including a team-high 9.5 for a loss.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Predictions at Info Plays: 10th in the Big Ten
As we said, the Golden Gophers won only one game in Brewster’s first season, so it’s hard to imagine how it could possibly get any worse. But a plethora of new faces on defense will have the Gophers with little expectations for 2008. A great recruiting class points towards better days ahead. Don’t expect the Gophers to pull off more than three wins this season in Brewster’s second year at the helm.