ESPN's Ivan Maisel - Gophers poised to take big step forward

[GoAUpher]

Ivan Maisel listed the 5 teams he thinks are poised to take a big step forward this season. The Gophers check in at #3 (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/notebook?page=iform090311).

3. Minnesota -- The Gophers have 19 returning starters, including wide receiver Eric Decker, who may be the best receiver north of Julio Jones. A healthy Decker helped Minnesota begin 7-1. An injured Decker left the Gophers' offense shorthanded as Minnesota lost its last four regular-season games. Like Miami, the biggest changes for Minnesota are among the guys wearing whistles. Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, 32, who comes from the NFL, has never been a coordinator. Offensive line coach Tim Davis is a steal. Defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove is a veteran who knows the Big Ten well. His defenses played well at Wisconsin under Barry Alvarez. At Nebraska under Bill Callahan, they didn't.

Another round of nice press for the Gophers!