The Gophers have been practicing for only one week and the first game isn’t until September 3, but speculation among informed followers of the team about the 2011 record has been going on almost since the arrival of new coach Jerry Kill and his staff last December.

The predictions I have heard range from 3-9 to 7-5.  The 3-9 would match last season’s record.  The 7-5 would give the program its third season in the last seven with seven wins?

The opinion here is the Gophers will win four or five games.  Minnesota is likely to earn three or four victories during a nonconference schedule that has the Gophers at USC on September 3, followed by home games against New Mexico State, Miami of Ohio and North Dakota State.

The Gophers are likely to win two or three games during the nonconference schedule.  Minnesota is almost certain to defeat lowly New Mexico State and likely to lose to USC.  Miami and North Dakota State aren’t Big Ten level programs, but either could defeat the Gophers.

Minnesota has the challenge of playing its first two conference games on the road, at Michigan and Purdue.  Playing the Wolverines and new coach Brady Hoke in the Big Ten opener is nothing to thank the schedulers for, but don’t be surprised if Kill earns his first conference win at Purdue.

Minnesota’s best chance of winning another Big Ten game could certainly come at season’s end when Illinois visits Minneapolis on November 26.  Between Purdue and Illinois, the Gophers have Nebraska, Iowa and Wisconsin at home, while playing at Michigan State and Northwestern.

Most of the teams on the 12 game schedule ─ including perhaps each of the Big Ten opponents ─ have more talent than Minnesota.  To best highlight the Gophers’ challenge look at the team’s offensive and defensive lines.  Winning programs excel with line play and the Gophers’ program won’t change for the better until the big boys up front on offense and defense can push opponents around Saturday after Saturday.

The other major problem is quarterback.  First, redshirt junior MarQueis Gray has never been the starting quarterback.  Despite dazzling athleticism, Gray must prove he can play the position.  Second, suppose Gray either can’t fill the role, or is injured and sidelined?  The Gophers’ reserve quarterbacks have no game experience, and true freshman Max Shortell may already be proving he’s the best of the backups.

The more optimistic program followers base much of their five, six and seven win projections on confidence about Kill and his staff.  The coaches have a national reputation for teaching excellence, and improved fundamentals by the players and overall better program administration including training and conditioning will make a difference this fall.

So, too, will effort by the players.  Expect the Gophers to play hard and be a united group.  The mental approach could produce a surprise win or two.

But Kill has delivered the message that it won’t be a “quick fix” turning this program around.  That can be interpreted as code for saying better players must be recruited and put into his system.  That takes time.

Go ahead and document a Sports Headliners prediction of a 4-8 season.  For his part, Kill isn’t about to go on the public record with specific numbers.

Asked recently how he will define a successful season, he answered: “Get better everyday. We’re starting from the ground up. …”

Kill said before August training camp opened that months of hard work, including spring practice, produced encouraging results.  “I would tell you right now, we’re better than what we were when we came in, and that’s a credit to the kids, not me, and the other people around the program,” he said.

Former Gopher Mike Sherels said if the Vikings retain six or seven cornerbacks on their roster his brother and former U teammate Marcus will for sure make the team.   Marcus is also trying to win the punt returner job.

Gophers radio broadcasts on KFAN will include two voices heard when WCCO was broadcasting the games.  Mike Grimm, who last year was a studio host, will do the play-by-play.  Analyst Darrell Thompson, who used to work with Dave Lee and Dave Mona, will assist Grimm.  Justin Gaard will be the sideline reporter, Kevin Falness will host the pre-game show, and Corbu Stathes will host halftime and post-game shows and provide scoreboard updates.

Ex-major league catcher Chris Coste, a Fargo native, is playing for the Moorhead Brewers and hitting .283, according to the team website.

Former Gophers hockey coach Doug Woog is the 2011 recipient of the Minnesota Minute Men’s Courage Award. The award will be presented to Woog during a luncheon at Mancini’s Char House on September 9. The Courage Award has been presented by the Minute Men since 1979 to individuals for their outstanding service to the community.  Woog has more wins than any coach in Gophers history, with a 389-187-40 record.  He now trains athletes and is a Fox Sports North hockey analyst.

Phil Esten, head coach of men’s cross country at UW-La Crosse from 1970-1998, will be inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in San Antonio on December 14.  His son Phil is a former Gophers associate athletics director and now heads the University of Minnesota’s Alumni Association.  The older Esten was named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1996 when he led UW-La Crosse to the NCAA Division III cross country national title.  His teams also finished second at the national meet eight times during his career.

Prep basketball authority Ken Lien emailed to report that Marcus Marshall (St. Paul Johnson) has officially committed to Missouri State.

Wonder if Dennis Rodman (inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame last week) is the first player ever enshrined who once wore a wedding dress?