2009 Minnesota Football Predictions

Written June 19, 2009 by InfoPlays

2009-Minnesota-Football-Predictions The bowl appearance last season might have been fool’s gold for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The offense needs to become more balanced to compete in the Big Ten, especially with the Gophers opening a new open-air facility after playing in the Metrodome for years. If ball control becomes more of a staple in Minnesota, the Gophers will challenge for a repeat bowl bid in 2009. As of right now, the college football lines show Minnesota listed at +2500 to win the Big Ten Title.

Offense: Coach Tim Brewster emphasized the need for a running game in the spring to compliment a passing game that thrives on the Adam Weber/Eric Decker connection. New coordinator Jedd Fisch has made physicality the theme in the offseason. Brewster handed the ball to DeLeon Eskridge more than any other back last season. The freshman compiled 678 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, but Minnesota finished 104th in the nation in rushing. Other than Eskridge and Weber, no other back had 50 carries. Redshirt freshman Kevin Whaley should be in the mix this season.

Brewster expects the offensive line to mature. All five starters return, but there won’t be time for an in-season adjustment with a non-conference schedule that has a little bite, including a home showdown with Cal. Weber was in the top 50 in the nation in total offense and Decker caught 84 balls for 1,074 yards and seven scores. Now he has to find another dependable target for when Decker gets double-covered. Freshman QB MarQueis Gray gave the Gophers a lot of excitement with a big spring game, completing 8 of 10 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be in for a lot of gadget plays this fall, playing some at receiver. Ben Kuznia caught 31 passes last season and he’s the team’s second-leading receiver. The biggest playmaker in the spring was Troy Stoudermire, who scored on an end-around in the spring game and is the team’s primary return man.

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Defense: Brewster’s two recruiting classes have added depth and speed. Four of the team’s six captains are on the defensive side of the ball. Senior tackles Eric Small and Garrett Brown, along with the team’s top playmakers in linebackers Simoni Lawrence and Lee Campbell. Lawrence will play snaps at rush end in obvious passing downs to get after opposing quarterbacks.

The secondary had only one vacancy to fill in spring practice which was strong safety. Free safety Kyle Theret and cornerbacks Traye Simmons and Marcus Sherels are returning starters. Theret had 78 tackles and three interceptions last season, and Simmons led all defenders with four picks. The Gophers got off to a better start than expected last season due to their propensity for making plays and getting bounces. They forced 31 turnovers in 2008.

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