2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Preview

2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Minnesota Golden Gophers football preview as well as the 2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Schedule. Dont miss our football picks for college games against the spread and bookmark our college football point spread page offering up to the minute odds & lines.

Coach: Tim Brewster (1st year at Minnesota)
Team Name: Golden Gophers
2006 Overall Record: 6-7
Returning Starters: 15

Last year, the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6- 7 overall, 3- 5 Big Ten) went to the Insight Bowl where they lost to Texas Tech 44- 41 after leading by 31 points. Tim Brewster replaces former head coach Glen Mason. Brewster is charged with making sure the Gophers get to the next level. Also in their first-year with Minnesota is offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar and defensive coordinator Everett Withers.

Three-year QB Brian Capito is gone and that leaves the job open for either junior Tony Mortensen or freshman Adam Weber. Although the club will feature a spread offensive, the goal will be a balanced attack. Senior WR Ernie Wheelwright (26 REC, 437 YDs, 5 TDs) looks to be a primary target, while senior RB Amir Pinnix (252 CAR, 1,272 YDs, 10 TDs) will be the legs of the team. Problems with a lack of depth at receiver and on the line are of primary concern.

While the Golden Gopher offense was scoring an average of 28.9 PPG, the defense was holding opponents to 26.0 PPG. Last season the front line was pushed around a lot, but there's hope that junior DE Willie VanDeSteeg, who had 10 sacks in 2006, will be ready to find his full-throttle. The linebackers have been upgraded and will be speedier and more athletic. Minnesota was 117th in the nation against the pass and the secondary is still questionable.

This club can certainly make it to another bowl game; they haven't missed a bid since 2001. And the new coaching staff should make a difference, but don't expect to see immediate results. Swing games include at home versus Illinois and away at Northwestern. From September 22 through October 6, the Gophers have a string of very tough games against Purdue, Ohio State and Indiana. Winning one of these would be a positive sign.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Sep 1	Bowling Green	Home
Sep 8	Miami Ohio	Home
Sep 15	Fla Atlantic	Away
Sep 22	Purdue	Home
Sep 29	Ohio St	Home
Oct 6	Indiana	Away
Oct 13	Northwestern	Away
Oct 22	North Dakota St	Home
Oct 27	Michigan	Away
Nov 3	Illinois	Home
Nov 10	Iowa	Away
Nov 17	Wisconsin	Home

 

For more info on the 2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers football program, view their official website or read up on the rest of the Big Ten foes below.