Mention the Gophers and their potential record in 2014 and be prepared to first hear the word schedule.
There is optimism about this year’s team being head coach Jerry Kill’s best in four seasons but the schedule is likely more difficult than in 2013. The Gophers were 8-5 last season, the program’s highest win total since the 10-3 in 2003.
“I would be happy if they won more than seven games,” said Darrell Thompson, the ex-Gopher who is the program’s all-time leading rusher and now analyzes the team on radio. “I think it’s going to be hard to win seven. If they won eight games this year I think it would be phenomenal. …”
Last year the Gophers had a pillow soft four-game nonconference schedule. There are three almost for sure nonleague wins this year but trouble could wait in Fort Worth on September 13 when the Gophers play TCU in what looks to be by far their most difficult game before the Big Ten season starts. Although the Horned Frogs were 4-8 last season, there are national forecasters who believe that the Big 12 team is slightly better than the Gophers.
In 2013 the Gophers played four top 25 teams, losing to Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin, but did defeat Nebraska. Minnesota also lost to much improved Iowa, and defeated Northwestern, a team that was highly regarded in the preseason. So the 2013 schedule, which included the Texas Bowl loss to Syracuse, was hardly a yawner for the Gophers and it remains to be seen if the 2014 lineup of opponents is better.
The addition of TCU to the schedule helps make the argument Minnesota will face a more difficult schedule in 2014. Then, too, the Gophers will play five top 30 programs based on preseason forecasts—Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Only the Iowa and Ohio State games are at home. The end of the schedule requires a deep breath because in its last four games of the season Minnesota hosts the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes, then plays at Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Kill and the Gophers have ambitions that include competing for the Big Ten championship. Whether they are ready to do that in 2014 will be determined by several factors including if opponents with lofty expectations are for real. Even if they are, can they avoid key injuries? If the Gophers have better fortune in keeping high impact starters on the field than some opponents, that alone could help with an upset or two against favored Big Ten rivals.
Thompson said the Gophers need to consistently take advantage of opportunities in their big games such as turnovers and field position. “You capitalize, you win,” he said. “Otherwise it’s going to be a long year.”
What’s also paramount for success is making plays offensively. Winning teams are offensively efficient and also able to create explosive plays. Thompson believes the Gophers have sufficient talent to make that all a can-do. “We’ve got enough playmakers,” Thompson said.
In Big Ten games last season Minnesota’s defense ranked No. 5 giving up 23.5 points per game and there is optimism the unit will be better this fall. Offensively, though, Minnesota was eighth in rushing among 12 conference teams, No. 11 in total offense and last in passing, but Thompson and others expect improvement in 2014.
“I like the offensive line a lot,” Thompson said. “I think the running back corps is as strong as it’s been since the (Laurence) Maroney, (Marion) Barber era (early to mid-2000s). Maybe not quite the high end we had with those guys, but damn good backs. I like the quarterback and I like some of the backups.”
Redshirt tight end Maxx Williams might be the Big Ten’s best pass receiver at his position and Gophers fans could start worrying now whether he will eventually leave school early for the NFL Draft. Starting quarterback Mitch Leidner will also have a group of promising young wide receivers led by sophomores Donovhan Jones and Drew Wolitarsky and freshman Melvin Holland.
Senior running back David Cobb, who rushed for 1,202 yards last season, is backed up by experienced runners Donnell Kirkwood (senior) and Rodrick Williams (junior), and perhaps the team’s most explosive player, redshirt freshman Berkley Edwards who may see even more playing time at wide receiver.
In early practices this month the offense has struggled to score points including near the goal line. In the days ahead and leading up to the season opener at home August 28 against Eastern Illinois the Gophers will need to improve. “Our defense plays their tails off for us,” Cobb said. “When we get down in the red zone, we have to make those opportunities count.”
There is that word again—opportunities. Keep it in mind when thinking about that other word–schedule.
Worth Noting
Playing a major role, too, in the Gophers success will be the team’s punting, kickoffs and placekicking. During the early days of practice Kill was satisfied.
“That part is the least of our problems right now,” Kill said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “Sometimes it’s been a problem. I just hope that we do it on game day because…the talent’s there.”
Kill and staff will be thinking during the next three to four weeks about freshmen to be redshirted. Because of injuries, though, the complete list won’t be determined until the third or fourth game.
Among the freshmen likely to play the most minutes is defensive tackle Steven Richardson from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago. Richardson, generously listed at 6 feet, might have been too short for many major college recruiters but Kill trusts Mount Carmel coach and long-time contact Frank Lenti.
“Frank Lenti tells you someone can play, then he can play,” Kill said. “If he tells you I don’t know, you gotta wait, then you wait. …He’s never steered me wrong.”
Jordan lynch became a Heisman Trophy candidate playing for Northern Illinois after his career at Mount Carmel. Kill brought Lynch to Northern but had concerns about the quarterback’s potential. Lenti didn’t. “He chewed my tail end out and I believe he’s right on that one too,” Kill said.
The August 11 issue of Sports Illustrated is a celebration of the magazine’s 60th anniversary. Among the features is “The Best Years Ever” featuring five 12-month periods the magazine praised as “the most thrilling.” Among the choices is 1991, partially because S.I. said “the Twins won the greatest World Series ever.”
Aaron Hicks played in 48 games while batting .198 for the Twins this season before being demoted to AA New Britain. The center fielder hit .297 at New Britain in 43 games and was promoted recently to AAA Rochester where he is batting .235 in five games. With rookie Danny Santana’s future at shortstop and not center field for the Twins, there is still a window for the 24-year-old Hicks but it might be closing fast.
No doubt the Twins and all of major league baseball are watching the experiment of the independent Atlantic League that recently implemented rules changes to speed up games. Key changes include limiting the number of warmup pitches and issuing automatic intentional walks. Baseball could benefit too from having umpires enforce any existing rule that impacts the pace and length of games.
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