Brian Bennett on 2016 Gophers: I could see the Gophers challenging for the West title

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per ESPN's Mailbag:

@jk12minnesota: @BennettESPN could next years MN team be like this years IOWA? Prbly not undefeated but schedule is easier and hopefully less distractions

Bennett: Minnesota is definitely not going 12-0 in 2016. But the Golden Gophers were close in a lot of contests this season despite playing a brutal schedule that included six ranked teams. If they could get some better fortune on the injury front, this could be one of the league's top turnaround teams.

You're right about the schedule. The nonconference slate looks like this: Oregon State, Indiana State and Colorado State, all at home. A 3-0 start is certainly achievable there. Michigan and Ohio State go off the schedule as crossovers, and with the new nine-game docket, Minnesota draws Penn State (road), Maryland (road) and Rutgers from the East. Not playing the Buckeyes, Wolverines or Michigan State is about as good a deal as a team can hope for.

So, yeah, I could see the Gophers challenging for the West title. If, that is, they make some major improvements on offense. Mitch Leidner will be back for his senior year, and the young tailback tandem of Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith is intriguing. Obviously, a huge key will be whomever Tracy Claeys hires as offensive coordinator, and I'll be watching that closely this winter.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...ig-ten-bowl-wins-minnesota-as-next-years-iowa

Go Gophers!!
 

Fingers crossed. Hoping for a rebound year in 2016.
 

Pretty fair answer although I don't think it all rests on the offense as the defense has some big shoes to fill in the secondary and needs to play better then it did down the stretch as well. Given our schedule (especially the crossover games) it would be disappointing if we are not at least in the mix for the West next season.

I enjoyed the line - "Not playing the Buckeyes, Wolverines or Michigan State is about as good a deal as a team can hope for."....I totally agree, and I think our neighbors to the East are in for a rough go of things next year finally, given that all three of those teams show up on their schedule.
 

With that gift of a schedule, they better challenge for it and if they don't win the west, they better be very close. Anything less than eight wins will be a failure. Nine or more wins will be a success.
 

I couldn't be much more excited about the prospects next year. Yes, the schedule is much more favorable but even more importantly, they return significant experience at almost every position. On PAPER, they lose a lot of starters, but that is incredibly misleading.

On O-line, they lose some folks that have started plenty of games; Jon C, Bjorklund, Bush, Bobek, Campion. But by the 12th game, the folks that were playing significant minutes and/or starting that are coming back: Tyler Moore, J. Pirsig, Lauer, C. Mayes. Top that off with a pair of potential impact JUCO's coming in, the O-Line should really be the strongest its been in recent years. If he DOES return (don't know why he wouldn't), do NOT discount the return of Plsek. They missed his play on offense this year significantly!!

Again, on paper, they lose starters from the defense but mostly ones that are replaceable. In my opinion, Cockran and Campbell were underachievers. Lots of game experience, but never achieved the level they were capable of. Murry and BBC and Antonio J will be tough losses, but losses from the unit that has the most depth on the roster arguably. LB and DB should be strong for the most part.

D-Line is a concern, but picking up M. Jackson is huge and getting Richardson and S. Ekpe back sure helps. Elmore and/or Stelter stepping up majorly next year would be a major boost.

DE could be the biggest area of concern for next year. Cockran may have underachieved but he played a lot and A. Keith was really underrated IMO. It'll be interesting to see who gets the majority of the minutes.

4 JUCO's coming in for Spring Ball. Tough to hit home runs on all of them, can't wait to see which ones will be immediate impact players.
 


Oh, boy - here we go again.

Please, let's hold down on the "The Gophers Should Win the West" talk, or "Anything less than 9 wins is a failure."

did anyone on this board predict that the Gophers would be plagued with injuries this year? did anyone predict that Iowa, of all teams, would flirt with a perfect season? (shoot, I think some people were predicting that Ferentz was on his way out....)

The point is that no can predict what will happen next year. Yes, the Gophers seem to have things lined up for a better season, and if they win 9 or 10 games, I will be thrilled. BUT, I am not predicting or expecting 9 or 10 wins. Whatever happens is whatever happens.

Let's save the hype until we have something concrete to hype.
 

8 wins would be a grand slam. 6-7 wins more likely be a long shot. We need more depth along the defensive line and no way we have it. The real hope of the team is offense and it being opened up to a few more calculated risks with throwing the ball. I don't think Leidner leads the team and gets us to the promised land. He does not have the "gift". Tough competitor. No gift. Somebody else will have to step up and get it done or we stay around .500 ball. I would certainly like to know who the quarterback coach will be and how that impacts the team. I certainly would hope to have some bodies fill in by the time we get to the bowl game.
 

The offensive and defensive lines need major improvements before we can even think about beating out teams like WIS, NE, IA, and NU
 

With a schedule like this we SHOULD challenge for the title but I'm not getting my hopes up. Pretty sure we heard that same prediction the last two seasons.
 



The OL has and has had the talent to dominate. They have not. The right OL coach is all we need there. Does anyone think Leidner improved ass the season progressed with Weber coaching? I think QB performance has been another coaching issue.
 

short ornery norwegian said:
Oh, boy - here we go again.

Please, let's hold down on the "The Gophers Should Win the West" talk, or "Anything less than 9 wins is a failure."

did anyone on this board predict that the Gophers would be plagued with injuries this year? did anyone predict that Iowa, of all teams, would flirt with a perfect season? (shoot, I think some people were predicting that Ferentz was on his way out....)

The point is that no can predict what will happen next year. Yes, the Gophers seem to have things lined up for a better season, and if they win 9 or 10 games, I will be thrilled. BUT, I am not predicting or expecting 9 or 10 wins. Whatever happens is whatever happens.

Let's save the hype until we have something concrete to hype.
Click to expand...

I feel like this may be directed at me? :rolleyes: I'll remain optimistic until next season arrives. This I know for a fact: 8-4 (5-4) will NOT challenge for the west.
 

Ogee Oglethorpe said:
I couldn't be much more excited about the prospects next year. Yes, the schedule is much more favorable but even more importantly, they return significant experience at almost every position. On PAPER, they lose a lot of starters, but that is incredibly misleading.

On O-line, they lose some folks that have started plenty of games; Jon C, Bjorklund, Bush, Bobek, Campion. But by the 12th game, the folks that were playing significant minutes and/or starting that are coming back: Tyler Moore, J. Pirsig, Lauer, C. Mayes. Top that off with a pair of potential impact JUCO's coming in, the O-Line should really be the strongest its been in recent years. If he DOES return (don't know why he wouldn't), do NOT discount the return of Plsek. They missed his play on offense this year significantly!!

Again, on paper, they lose starters from the defense but mostly ones that are replaceable. In my opinion, Cockran and Campbell were underachievers. Lots of game experience, but never achieved the level they were capable of. Murry and BBC and Antonio J will be tough losses, but losses from the unit that has the most depth on the roster arguably. LB and DB should be strong for the most part.

D-Line is a concern, but picking up M. Jackson is huge and getting Richardson and S. Ekpe back sure helps. Elmore and/or Stelter stepping up majorly next year would be a major boost.

DE could be the biggest area of concern for next year. Cockran may have underachieved but he played a lot and A. Keith was really underrated IMO. It'll be interesting to see who gets the majority of the minutes.

4 JUCO's coming in for Spring Ball. Tough to hit home runs on all of them, can't wait to see which ones will be immediate impact players.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Lauer won't be back. Your points still stand though.
 

Will need to go 7-2 to challenge for the west. Between us, Wisco, Iowa, NW and probably an improved Nebraska team, factor in Wisco's crossover games and I can't see anyone having less than two losses. Can't have any hick ups vs Purdue and Illinois, need to win the crossover games. My gut's telling 6-3 next year which is a good year, but it won't win the division Having Iowa and northwestern at home helps, the Penn State game will be very telling next year. Year three for Franklin, but I am not really sure what he's trying to do on offense. As good as Hackenberg is perceived to be, doesn't seem like a fit for them. Guessing they want more of a duel threat guy
 



love the excitement and forecast! i'm all in on a 2016 west run!
 


This team needs to go 9-3 (6-3) to move the bar on the program.

However will 9-3 and losses to WI, IA, NE move the bar?
 

bemidjigopher said:
Will need to go 7-2 to challenge for the west. Between us, Wisco, Iowa, NW and probably an improved Nebraska team, factor in Wisco's crossover games and I can't see anyone having less than two losses. Can't have any hick ups vs Purdue and Illinois, need to win the crossover games. My gut's telling 6-3 next year which is a good year, but it won't win the division Having Iowa and northwestern at home helps, the Penn State game will be very telling next year. Year three for Franklin, but I am not really sure what he's trying to do on offense. As good as Hackenberg is perceived to be, doesn't seem like a fit for them. Guessing they want more of a duel threat guy
Click to expand...

2016 schedules

Iowa
East: at Rutgers, at Penn State, Michigan
West: Home vs. Northwestern, Wisconsin, Nebraska & at Minnesota
Bye: Oct. 29 before visiting Penn State

Minnesota
East: at Penn State, at Maryland, Rutgers
West: Home vs. Iowa and Northwestern & at Nebraska and Wisconsin
Bye: Sep. 17 during non-conference

Nebraska
East: Home vs. Maryland & at Indiana and Ohio State
West: Home vs. Minnesota & at Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa
Bye: Oct. 8 before visiting Indiana

Northwestern
East: Home vs. Indiana & at Ohio State and Michigan State
West: Home vs. Nebraska and Wisconsin & at Iowa and Minnesota
Bye: Oct. 8 before visit to Michigan State

Wisconsin
East: Home vs. Ohio State & at Michigan and Michigan State (consecutive games with a bye)
West: Home vs. Nebraska and Minnesota & at Iowa and Northwestern
Bye: Oct. 8 before hosting Ohio State
 

Jike Spingleton said:
2016 schedules

Iowa
East: at Rutgers, at Penn State, Michigan
West: Home vs. Northwestern, Wisconsin, Nebraska & at Minnesota
Bye: Oct. 29 before visiting Penn State

Minnesota
East: at Penn State, at Maryland, Rutgers
West: Home vs. Iowa and Northwestern & at Nebraska and Wisconsin
Bye: Sep. 17 during non-conference

Nebraska
East: Home vs. Maryland & at Indiana and Ohio State
West: Home vs. Minnesota & at Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa
Bye: Oct. 8 before visiting Indiana

Northwestern
East: Home vs. Indiana & at Ohio State and Michigan State
West: Home vs. Nebraska and Wisconsin & at Iowa and Minnesota
Bye: Oct. 8 before visit to Michigan State

Wisconsin
East: Home vs. Ohio State & at Michigan and Michigan State (consecutive games with a bye)
West: Home vs. Nebraska and Minnesota & at Iowa and Northwestern
Bye: Oct. 8 before hosting Ohio State
Click to expand...

Wow. Sconnie's schedule is a murderer's row. Is their non conference all cream puffs?
 


I'm always overly optimistic. But, despite our easier schedule, we still have to play four division rivals who beat us this year, with three of those losses decisive. A lot will have to go right.
 

Ogee Oglethorpe said:
I couldn't be much more excited about the prospects next year. Yes, the schedule is much more favorable but even more importantly, they return significant experience at almost every position. On PAPER, they lose a lot of starters, but that is incredibly misleading.

On O-line, they lose some folks that have started plenty of games; Jon C, Bjorklund, Bush, Bobek, Campion. But by the 12th game, the folks that were playing significant minutes and/or starting that are coming back: Tyler Moore, J. Pirsig, Lauer, C. Mayes. Top that off with a pair of potential impact JUCO's coming in, the O-Line should really be the strongest its been in recent years.
Click to expand...
Lauer is not returning
 

Dean S said:
8 wins would be a grand slam. 6-7 wins more likely be a long shot. We need more depth along the defensive line and no way we have it. The real hope of the team is offense and it being opened up to a few more calculated risks with throwing the ball. I don't think Leidner leads the team and gets us to the promised land. He does not have the "gift". Tough competitor. No gift. Somebody else will have to step up and get it done or we stay around .500 ball. I would certainly like to know who the quarterback coach will be and how that impacts the team. I certainly would hope to have some bodies fill in by the time we get to the bowl game.
Click to expand...

I agree we don't have much depth at DE but DT is going to be very deep next year. We'll have two seniors, three juniors, a sophomore, and redshirt freshman.
 


Minnesota was still 2-4 in the division. This was suppose to be a team that could contend in 2015. They need to prove that they can be the other contenders with some consistency without losing to teams like Illinois (2014). It also looks like the division is getting stronger with he resurgence of Iowa and Northwestern playing better. Wisconsin still has Minnesota's number (11 now?). I wouldn't count on Nebraska to be a 5 win team next year. To say right now that Minnesota could be a contender next year is just silly.

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
 

Factchecker said:
Minnesota was still 2-4 in the division. This was suppose to be a team that could contend in 2015. They need to prove that they can be the other contenders with some consistency without losing to teams like Illinois (2014). It also looks like the division is getting stronger with he resurgence of Iowa and Northwestern playing better. Wisconsin still has Minnesota's number (11 now?). I wouldn't count on Nebraska to be a 5 win team next year. To say right now that Minnesota could be a contender next year is just silly.

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

How so? Favorable schedule and a revamped offense. Northwestern has up and down years, this being an up year and we get them at home along with Iowa who I don't see having the same magical year. Not to mention are favorable cross over schedule. I don't get how you think we can't challenge for the west in the next coming years.
 

Gopher04 said:
How so? Favorable schedule and a revamped offense. Northwestern has up and down years, this being an up year and we get them at home along with Iowa who I don't see having the same magical year. Not to mention are favorable cross over schedule. I don't get how you think we can't challenge for the west in the next coming years.
Click to expand...
Revamped offense? Who is going to be calling the plays?

So you whole premise is based on hoping Northwestern is as good next year and that a 12 win Iowa falls so hard back to Minnesota's level.

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Factchecker said:
Revamped offense? Who is going to be calling the plays?

So you whole premise is based on hoping Northwestern is as good next year and that a 12 win Iowa falls so hard back to Minnesota's level.

Sent from my SM-G920R4 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yup
 


Just because Bennett said "I could see..." doesn't mean he is predicting just that.

Settle down boys.
 


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