Football
Big Ten Countdown - No. 9 Minnesota
By Tony Gerdeman

9. (tie) 5-7 (2-6) (predicted finish)

Two Cent Overview

Senior quarterback Bryan Cupito returns after a nice season in 2005. However, only two starters return on an offensive line that last year had two 1,000-yard rushers. As if losing the line wasn’t enough, neither of those two runners are back this season. The receiving corps is back, and it’s a good one. Mason has hinted that the Gophers could be throwing more this season, but don’t hold your breath. The Gophers return all of their linebackers and a standout defensive end in Steve Davis. Most of the secondary returns, but the jobs aren’t safe. Minnesota will continue to have to outscore their opponents.

Schedule

Aug. 31 at Kent State (W)
Sept. 9 at California (L)
Sept. 16 Temple (W)
Sept. 23 at Purdue (L)
Sept. 30 Michigan (L)
Oct. 7 Penn State (L)
Oct. 14 at Wisconsin (W)
Oct. 21 North Dakota State (W)
Oct. 28 at Ohio State (L)
Nov. 4 Indiana (W)
Nov. 11 at Michigan State (L)
Nov. 18 Iowa (L)

Goal

A Bowl Game south or west of Tennessee. Given the losses in personnel that the Gophers have incurred, any bowl game would be an accomplishment this season. However, Minnesota fans have gotten a bit spoiled by the success that Glen Mason has brought their program and now they want more.

Five Questions Looking For Answers

1. Is there a 1,000-yard back on this team?

2. Are the Gophers really going to throw the ball as much as they run it?

3. Can running back Amir Pinnix carry the load and stay healthy?

4. Will Minnesota stop anybody?

5. Why in the world is Minnesota traveling to Kent State?

Something To Look For

Alex Daniels at running back. Daniels was recently moved from linebacker to running back as Glen Mason continues to look for running backs. Daniels (6’3” 255) played some running back in high school, but has never carried the ball in college. Mason has said that this experiment may be over before it even starts, but if he likes what he sees, Daniels will definitely be a guy to watch out for.

Returning Starters

Seven on offense, seven on defense, a kicker and a punter.

Best Player

Quarterback Bryan Cupito. Cupito may be the most underrated player in the Big Ten, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by Glen Mason, "I think it's tough to get the credit you deserve when you play for a run-oriented offense. Without the numbers, you may not get the attention. But without the ability to throw the ball, the running game isn't nearly as successful.” Last season, Cupito had a higher passer efficiency rating than guys like Brett Basanez, Chad Henne and Michael Robinson. This season, he will be counted on more than ever, and he’s not expected to disappoint.

Second Best Player

Defensive end Steve Davis. Davis is an undersized defensive end (6’2” 235), but he came in as a freshman last season and started from game one, only leaving the starting lineup due to injury. He finished the season starting ten of the eleven games he played in, leading the team in TFLs (9) and sacks (6). He is bigger, stronger and faster than he was last season and he is being counted on to continue his backfield disruption this season.

Best Chance For a Big Loss

At Ohio State. The Buckeyes and Gophers don’t play until the last weekend in October, meaning the Buckeye offense and defense will be running at full speed. And if that wasn’t enough, the Gopher defense will still be the Gopher defense.

Most Important Game

Michigan. While the Ohio State game may always be the most important game to Glen Mason, the Michigan game is the most important game for the team. While not a status win for most teams any longer, a win over Michigan is still an important achievement for Minnesota. And given where the team is expected to finish this season, a win over Michigan could serve as a buffer.

Best Road Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To

At California. There are several reasons that this is the ideal game to travel to. First off, it’ll get the family off your back about you never taking them anywhere. Secondly, it’s California. Thirdly, it’ll be an opportunity to take your kids around campus and scare them straight by showing them the hippies protesting inane things like non-organic strawberries in the frozen yogurt over at Maggie Moo’s.

Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated

Glen Mason will get caught looking ahead to North Dakota State.

Best Reason They Will Be Undefeated

Bryan Cupito. He’s a senior and looks to be in total control of this offense. (Hey, I didn’t say it’d be a good reason.)

Game They Shouldn't Lose But Could

Indiana. The Gophers could come into this game at 3-6 and just want the season to be over. Indiana, meanwhile, could come into this game 5-4 and looking to extend theirs.

Player People Are Expecting Too Much From

Running back Amir Pinnix. Everybody expects the Gophers to just plug another running back in the mix and have him go off for 1,400 yards. Glen Mason displayed cautious optimism when talking about the guy most expect to be that plug, “He (Pinnix) has been waiting in the wings for a few years now. Not this last spring, but the two previous springs he had been named Outstanding Player of the Spring Game.” He then quickly tempered that with, “We're not going to have the type of talent and depth we've had at running back in the past."

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By

Strong safety Dominic Jones. Jones was a true freshman last season and initially saw playing time at cornerback and in the return game. However, after the fifth game of the season, he was switched to strong safety and thrown into the starting lineup. He adjusted fairly quickly and closed the season very strong, averaging nine tackles per game in his final three games. Jones is short (5’8”), but he’s always around the ball and is reminiscent of former Gopher great Tyrone Carter.

Game On The Schedule That Glen Mason Is Jealous That He Didn't Schedule

I think this is like that scene in Timecop when Ron Silver’s present self comes into contact with his past self and they both start to congeal together leading to a dramatic implosion.

Something They Do Well

Run the ball. Yeah, big surprise. Yes, they are replacing most of their line and both of their tailbacks, but Glen Mason knows how to get a team to run the ball. Some may see the Alex Daniels situation as a panic move, but to me it’s just Mason looking for more ammunition.

Something They Don't Do So Well

Lose low-scoring games. In their five losses last season, the Gophers gave up an average of 43 points per game. Pac 10 teams look at that and shake their heads. WAC teams look at that and wonder how things could’ve gotten so bad.

What's Improved?

The passing game. Mason chastised himself for not throwing more last season, so he has said he’ll make an earnest effort to throw the ball more this season. Given the unknown effectiveness of the running game this season, the passing game will have to be a little more innovative. Cupito isn’t just going to be able to throw jump balls into one on one coverage. The defenses are going to force the Gopher passing game to do more. Mason and his staff know this and have confidence in Cupito and company to execute anything they implement.

What's Gotten Worse?

The running game. Regardless of how good Mason is at building a running game, you don’t lose 2,594 yards and 28 touchdowns from two running backs and not skip a beat. Pinnix is fast, but his durability is in question. Brylee Callender is a junior college transfer, so he’s an unknown commodity. Fullback Justin Valentine may get a look at tailback. And of course, we’ve already talked about the Alex Daniels move. So while there is talent on the roster, it’s still not Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell.

Three Things Gleaned From The Media Guide

1. The Gophers’ longest kickoff return in 1985 was 27 yards by Mel Anderson.

2. The Gophers have never lost to a high school team, going 14-0-3 from 1887 to 1905. The battles against high schools ended, however, after two humbling destructions of mighty Twin Cities Central High, 107-0 in 1904 and 74-0 in 1905.

3. The origin of the Little Brown Jug.

Targets for Ridicule in Upcoming Tip Sheets

Coach Mason; trophy games; Gopher “defense”.

80's TV Show That This Team Reminds Me Of

Coach. How obvious, right? A television show about a college football coach in Minnesota striving to succeed as a coach, a father, and a husband—how perfect! Not to mention having an assistant coach dragging a dog around in a wagon. The parallels are amazing.

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