Minnesota: 2016 Big Ten Champions?
Minnesota Golden Gopher fans have longed for a Rose Bowl berth for too long. Heck, they have been waiting for quality football to come back to campus. Something always seems to go wrong, though, as the football gods seem to hate the maroon and gold. New coaches usually get a pass the first year because they need time to get "their guys" recruited and on the team. Tracy Claeys does not get that luxury as Minnesota needs to win now. He has made some encouraging changes on his staff and has done a great job recruiting as well. These changes should help the product on the field. With the personnel returning and an easier than normal schedule, there is no reason why the Gophers can't get to 10 wins this year.
Now while many of you may think 10 wins or a Big Ten championship is out of reach, hear me out. The national perception of Minnesota is they will not perform well. With the spotlight focused elsewhere, the Gophers can gain momentum without the pressure of the national media. Even if the Gophers were to start 9-0 going into the road trip to Nebraska, they would still be viewed as a non-contender. Adding pressure to 18-22 year olds without preparation can lead to disaster. Giving them confidence and momentum before adding pressure can lead to success. Claeys and his team can prepare for the pressure of contending in the West by winning early.
THE SCHEDULE
If you haven't heard by now, the Gophers schedule is pretty soft. By avoiding Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State, the Gophers are set up for a successful season. Here is a quick breakdown of each team on their schedule.
9/1 Oregon State: Gophers are 17-4 in home openers. The Beavers are coming off of a 2-10 season. Enough said.
9/10 Indiana State: This isn't 2011 against NDSU (too soon?), and the Sycamores finished 5-6 in the FCS last year.
9/24 Colorado State: Tougher than expected. Rams took the U to overtime last year.
10/1 at Penn State: Game will show us a lot about how good the Gophers can be. Happy Valley is tough.
10/8 Iowa: Hawkeye HC Kirk Ferentz said his team got outplayed in every area last year. Shannon Brooks threw as many touchdowns as Mitch Leidner did. Claeys was named permanent head coach last year before this game.
10/15 at Maryland: Terps are still a long way from becoming good again. Maryland is 1-6 in Big Ten home games.
10/22 Rutgers: Trying to decide if playing the Scarlet Knights will be more difficult than the Sycamore in week 2.
10/29 at Illinois: Last time here, the Gophers shot themselves in the foot. Illini bring in a whole new coaching staff, but Lovie Smith doesn't have Devin Hester to save him. He also has the lesser of two Nickerson's playing linebacker (Hardy Jr. will line up at backer while his dad, NFL Bucs great Hardy, will be the D coordinator).
11/5 Purdue: If Gophers lose to Purdue, terminate the program.
11/12 Nebraska: Should the Gophers make it to 9-0, this will be a brawl. Last time in Lincoln, Gophers stunned the Huskers.
11/19 Northwestern: Game plan should include stopping Justin Jackson and forcing the Wildcats to throw. Gophers have lost last four home finales.
11/26 Wisconsin: Last time Minnesota won the Axe, Glen Mason was still coaching, Bush was president, 50 Cent was killing the rap game, and Lance Armstrong was still clean. Time for the Axe to come home.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Every team needs a steady hand to keep their team on course for the year. These players will keep the Gophers going in 2016.
Running Back: By no means is this Running Back U, but this position should be solid this year. Shannon Brooks will begin the year rehabbing a foot injury, but Rodney Smith has proven he is a capable starter. Jonathan Femi-Cole and James Johannesson both looked solid in the spring game, but Kobe McCrary figures to be the next in line with Carlton Djam behind him.
Brandon Lingen: Lingen made some acrobatic plays last season (see Michigan game) while hauling in 33 catches for 428 yards. Until someone at wide receiver emerges, Lingen may be Leidner's safety net.
Scott Richardson/Cody Poock/Jalen Myrick: All three will contribute to a solid defense. Myrick has benefited from the leadership of now-D coordinator Jay Sawvel, and Poock and Richardson should improve as well. Poock has a knack for making big plays and Richardson can plug up the middle.
X-FACTORS
Minnesota has some questions coming into this year, but all those questions can produce positive answers.
Tracy Claeys: Besides last year, no head coaching experience. He helped the Gophers defense become competitive in the Big Ten and made coaching changes in the off season. Needs to win now, and has shown he is ready for the expectations.
Mitch Leidner/Offensive Line: No surprise here. These two will be coupled together all year. If the line can improve from last year (they have three returners and add two great JUCO transfers), it should open up the field for Mitch. Leidner has to continue to improve and utilize his running ability to open up passing lanes. Teams will load the box until he proves that he can beat them with his arm. What is exciting about Mitch is that his passing yards have increased each year so far (619 splitting time freshman year, 1798 as a soph, and 2701 last year).
Scheduling: The football gods have finally given Minnesota a break. Not that this schedule is a cakewalk by any means, but it is significantly easier. The Gophers have shown they can compete with anyone in the conference, and they will take another step by competing for the Big Ten West.
EXPECTATIONS
Now let's have some #realtalk about this season. Anything less than 8-4 will be disappointing. I'm not going to say it will be a failure, but we have to at least win eight. Claeys doesn't get a grace period because it's his first year. If he can't win eight games with the returning cast and this schedule, well, see ya later. There needs to be a higher standard set for this team, not complacency. We can't just be happy with winning seasons anymore. We have a quarterback who has a plethora of experience, two young running backs that could bring us back to the Marion Barber III/Laurence Mauroney days, and a defense that shouldn't skip a beat with the coaching changes.
Winning needs to become an expectation, not an aspiration. We need to start expecting the Gophers will win games, not anticipate a loss. We also need to stop making excuses for why we will be bad. Just because it seems outrageous for Minnesota to be successful, doesn't mean it's impossible. Jerry Kill showed that kids will play anywhere as long as they trust the coach, and Claeys can continue that. Competing in the Big Ten should be the expectation every year.
Brick by brick. We will compete. Ski U Mah.
