Behind Enemy Lines: Minnesota
One of the more popular features at BeaverBlitz is our weekly question and answer session with an expert who covers the Beavers opponent for the week. This week we spoke with Matt Jessen-Howard of The Gopher Report to get the latest on Minnesota.
1. Minnesota has a new head coach. What changes have been made to the offense and defense? What has stayed the same?
Claeys brought in a new offensive coordinator, Jay Johnson from UL-Lafayette. The offense will remain pretty similar to last year. Johnson uses a mix of spread and pro styles with some pistol thrown in. He likes to spread the field out and get the ball in his playmakers' hands.
On defense, Minnesota will remain in a base 4-3 defense, but has also experimented some with a 3-4. To what extent and in what situations they'll use a 3-4, no one really knows. Moving to a 3-4 makes sense from a personnel standpoint, as the Gophers are deep at defensive tackle, but not defensive end, and very deep at linebacker.
2. Tell us about the Gopher offense. Who should Beaver fans keep an eye on?
All eyes are on Mitch Leidner this fall. He had his up-and-downs last year, but finished well. Todd McShay even had Leidner as a first round pick in one of his mock drafts, although much of that prediction is based on Leidner's potential rather than production to date. Leidner has a big but somewhat inconsistent arm. He's 6'4.5", 230 pounds and can move pretty well.
Star running back Shannon Brooks is injured but Rodney Brooks is nearly as talented and is certainly a weapon out of the backfield. Tight end Brandon Lingen, named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, will also likely miss the game. Leading the wide receiver group are Rashad Still and Drew Wolitarsky. Still is tall, thin sophomore who fans hope has a breakout year. Wolitarsky is a three and a half year starter that has proven to have fairly trusty hands but has yet to break out as a true playmaker.
3. How about the Gopher defense? Who are the playmakers there?
Minnesota is very deep at defensive tackle, but thin at defensive end. The pass rush struggled mightily last season, and it's often linebackers that are called upon to generate pressure on the quarterback. The linebackers are a deep group with two returning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recipients, Cody Poock and Jack Lynn. The secondary is led by safety Damarius Travis and cornerback Jalen Myrick, both of whom are expected to be drafted. Opposite of them will likely be KiAnte Hardin and Kunle Ayinde, who are a little bit more unproven, but the Gopher secondary should still be solid.
4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this team?
Last year, the biggest weaknesses were inconsistency in the passing game, mediocrity stopping the run, and trouble generating a pass rush. I expect all three to potentially be weaknesses against Oregon State.
5. How can Oregon State come away with a victory?
Oregon State returns offensive talent, and that could potentially win them the game. Like I said, the Gophers at times struggled stopping the run last year. With an inconsistent pass rush and unproven safety opposite of Damarius Travis, there's a chance they'll have some success through the air, too. There are some changes that might not be completely smooth in game one, either. Kicker Ryan Santoso moved to punter, which means the team now has both a new kicker and new punter. There's a new offensive coordinator, and a new wrinkle in the defense. Any number of those things could go awry in the opening game.
6. What is your prediction?
Minnesota 28, Oregon State 17