Minnesota:Buy or Sell?

[MennoSota]

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Minnesota came from seemingly out of nowhere in coach PJ Fleck’s third year at the helm. A wealth of returning production and a manageable schedule made the Gophers darlings of the offseason, but it was what became legitimately one of the best offenses in the conference that propelled Minnesota to an 11-2 record. The Gophers started 9-0, beat Penn State in a nationally televised showdown, and enjoyed their best season since the 1940s. But with offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca off to Penn State and production departing from the defense, Fleck and Minnesota will be fighting to prove they have staying power. Buying or selling Minnesota in 2020?

 

[Cedar Rapids Gopher]

Brandon is a dink Derek is not.

 

[BTChamp]

Surprising not a bad "mail it in" article like many do. They seemed to put a little time and effort into it.
But yes, Brandon is a dink.
I like Derek's reference of Chris Autman Bell can become Robin to Bateman (Batman).

 

[PoockItInfor6]

Even the sell side really was quite optimistic about our future...

 

[WhoFellDownTheGopherHole?]

I dunno if we're too biased towards Mo or if he's just nationally underrated, but i know what *I think and can't wait to watch it happen. Much love for Brooks and Smith but that carousel of constant injuries had to wreak a bit of havoc on the RB room week to week.

 

[MplsGopher]

I dunno if we're too biased towards Mo or if he's just nationally underrated, but i know what *I think and can't wait to watch it happen. Much love for Brooks and Smith but that carousel of constant injuries had to wreak a bit of havoc on the RB room week to week.

His game against Ohio St two years ago tells you how special he can be, if he can stay healthy.

 

[HoustonTXGopher]

My biggest concern for 2020 is the loss of Winfield in the secondary. I truly believe he drove most everything on the defense last year. I think we lose to Fresno and PSU for certain without him in the lineup. The loss of KC as the O coordinator doesn't concern me a bit, especially after the creativity we saw in the Auburn game. I am still buying the Gophers for 2020, but the loss of Winfield is certainly the biggest blow to the team. Mo is unbelievable, immediately makes are running game better than 2019!

 

[WhoFellDownTheGopherHole?]

Losing Winfield hurts, for sure, but having St. Juste around keeps me pretty optimistic about the overall state of things in our secondary. Also, I don't remember the exact stat, but wasn't Condey Durr the top rated DB least talked about in all of college football last year? My recall may be exaggerating but don't sleep on him.

 

[Some guy]

My biggest concern for 2020 is the loss of Winfield in the secondary. I truly believe he drove most everything on the defense last year. I think we lose to Fresno and PSU for certain without him in the lineup. The loss of KC as the O coordinator doesn't concern me a bit, especially after the creativity we saw in the Auburn game. I am still buying the Gophers for 2020, but the loss of Winfield is certainly the biggest blow to the team. Mo is unbelievable, immediately makes are running game better than 2019!

Agreed. And if you think back to two years ago that defense was good early in the year. Winfield got hurt and it got so bad in the middle of the year that the DC got fired.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

the way you make up for the loss of Winfield is by finding a way to improve at the other positions.

DE's need to put more pressure on QB's and get the ball out of their hands sooner. DT's need to hold the middle of the line. LB's need to be solid - limit mistakes and big plays. CB's need to provide solid coverage. and the S's should just be themselves and play up to their abilities - don't try to be Winfield, just be you.

if all of that happens, the defense does not 'have' to take a big step backwards. I think the DE's may be the key.

 

[Some guy]

the way you make up for the loss of Winfield is by finding a way to improve at the other positions.

DE's need to put more pressure on QB's and get the ball out of their hands sooner. DT's need to hold the middle of the line. LB's need to be solid - limit mistakes and big plays. CB's need to provide solid coverage. and the S's should just be themselves and play up to their abilities - don't try to be Winfield, just be you.

if all of that happens, the defense does not 'have' to take a big step backwards. I think the DE's may be the key.

I’m less worried about it now as we have much more depth than we had in the middle of the 2018 season.
But the difference between 11-2 and #10 and 8-5 and unranked is a few plays here and there.
Winfield makes those plays.

do we have a guy with the it factor. You can do it by committee but id be more confident if we had a DUDE

Winfield is the best gopher defensive player of my lifetime in terms of it factor

 

[Word]

I’m less worried about it now as we have much more depth than we had in the middle of the 2018 season.
But the difference between 11-2 and #10 and 8-5 and unranked is a few plays here and there.
Winfield makes those plays.

do we have a guy with the it factor. You can do it by committee but id be more confident if we had a DUDE

Winfield is the best gopher defensive player of my lifetime in terms of it factor

More than Tyrone Carter? I'd probably put TC ahead of Winfield for "it" factor. Carter also played 46 games in college vs Winfield's 30.

 

[PMWinSTP]

I dunno if we're too biased towards Mo or if he's just nationally underrated, but i know what *I think and can't wait to watch it happen. Much love for Brooks and Smith but that carousel of constant injuries had to wreak a bit of havoc on the RB room week to week.

Mo is poised for a big season. The guy never goes down on first contact. Wiley looks like the real deal as well. I think Gophs will be just fine at RB.

 

[builtbadgers]

Buy ! We have coach who built a foundation and instilled a culture.

 

[Some guy]

More than Tyrone Carter?

Tyrone carter made maybe more plays and is the all time leading tackler for a reason...but other than the Syracuse game I can’t remember him taking over a game

 

[GopherGuy8]

Mo is poised for a big season. The guy never goes down on first contact. Wiley looks like the real deal as well. I think Gophs will be just finecatcRB.

I'd also love to see Potts play out of the slot some this year and be a change of speed back.

 

[Plato]

Usually in addition to buy or sell there is hold.
That would be my choice-if there is a season.

 

[gophernut1]

I think we will be a better overall team and still lose 3 or 4 games because we don't have the stars on defense to make.a game-changing play.

I believe defense will have better team speed overall and have moments of dominance. Yet, not sure with lack of experience and no Winfield if they will be as consistent and hold together in big games. Still I believe if they click our ceiling this year is higher than last years.

 

[MplsGopher]

I think we will be a better overall team and still lose 3 or 4 games because we don't have the stars on defense to make.a game-changing play.

I believe defense will have better team speed overall and have moments of dominance. Yet, not sure with lack of experience and no Winfield if they will be as consistent and hold together in big games. Still I believe if they click our ceiling this year is higher than last years.

How many games do you feel that the game was (significantly?) more won by offense, as oppose to won by defense?

It's a tough (impossible?) question to answer, because they're obviously so coupled.


But take the Purdue game for example, which I know also was earlier in the season. But to me, that is a pretty good example of a game that was mainly won by offense. In fact, our defense damn near let Purdue get right back into the game. At various points, we were up 14-3, 28-10, and 38-17. And the final score was 38-31. Their last two drives they went 99 yards in 15 plays, and then 53 yards in 8 plays. Kicked it off to us with about 4mins left, but could not get the ball back.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Tyrone carter made maybe more plays and is the all time leading tackler for a reason...but other than the Syracuse game I can’t remember him taking over a game

Ron Dayne said TC was the toughest player went up against. That is saying something. It doesnt disprove anything you stated but that one game in Madison TC stood Dayne up over and over.

 

[Otis]

I think the offense will keep the defense off the field more this year. The line should dominate. Feed Mo, and give the D a break. However, our big play ability gives the other team the ball back pretty quick, but also makes them one-dimensional.

The offense should make the defense better.