Athlon: Big Ten West Division Pre-Spring Power Ranking: (5. Minnesota)

[BleedGopher]

per Athlon:

Minnesota

2015 Record: 6-7, 2-6 Big Ten
Returning Starters: Offense: 7, Defense: 7
Big Ten West Division Pre-Spring Power Ranking: 5
Top Priority in Spring Practice: Adjusting to the New Offense

Minnesota’s revamped secondary deserves a mention here, but the biggest spring storyline in Minneapolis is the offense. The Golden Gophers have finished 11th or worse in the Big Ten in scoring offense in two out of the last three years. New coordinator Jay Johnson has to get more out of this group, but there are pieces to build around in 2016. Quarterback Mitch Leidner returns after throwing for 2,701 yards and 14 scores last season, and running back Shannon Brooks is back after a promising freshman campaign. Leidner will be limited this spring due to surgery. Receiver is an area of focus for Johnson after KJ Maye expired his eligibility (73 catches in 2015). Drew Wolitarsky and tight end Brandon Lingen are back, but the Golden Gophers will be looking for more out of Eric Carter and Rashad Still. The offensive line also features some uncertainty, and the coaching staff will be keeping a close eye on the progress of junior college recruits Vincent Calhoun and Garrison Wright this spring.

http://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-2016-spring-football-preview-and-power-rankings

Go Gophers!!

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Huskers are pretty much in the same boat as MN filling holes on OL and DL with a tougher schedule (@OSU, WI, NW, IA). Yet they will somehow be the third best team in the West? There's a head scratcher.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Huskers are pretty much in the same boat as MN filling holes on OL and DL with a tougher schedule (@OSU, WI, NW, IA). Yet they will somehow be the third best team in the West? There's a head scratcher.

The national publications all follow the same script. Nebraska is a "helmet" school. They've been good in the past, so they "should" be good again in the future.

the Gophers haven't been good in the past, so they won't be any better in the future.

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