2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Preview

2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Minnesota Golden Gophers football preview as well as the 2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Schedule. Dont miss Maddux's free college football picks on the weekly college football odds from the #1 sports handicapping team.

Coach: Tim Brewster (2nd year at Minnesota)
Team Name: Golden Gophers
2007 Overall Record: 1-11
Returning Starters: 15

In 2007, the Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-11 overall, 0-8 Big Ten) finished at the bottom of the heap in the Big Ten. They earned their 1-11 record under first-year, rookie coach Tim Brewster who implemented a new spread offense.

Sophomore QB Adam Weber returns as the team’s leading passer and rusher. Weber, a fine athlete, passed for 2,895 yards and 24 touchdowns, while throwing 19 interceptions. He also gained a total of 617 yards, crossing the goal line five times. Junior wide receiver Eric Decker (67 REC, 909 YDS, 9 TDs) looks to be one of the most productive pass catchers in the Big Ten. The running back situation is problematic, while the line returns a few starters.

In 2007, Minnesota was ranked 119th in total defense, which is last, giving up a total of 518.7 yards per contest. Ted Roof, the team’s sixth defensive coordinator in eight years, has taken on a tough job. Defense was a recruiting priority this year, which means a lot of new guys will probably see a load of action. Junior college transfer Tramaine Brock is a superb athlete who should raise the bar at safety. The frontline and linebacking unit have both been upgraded. Other transfers that can make a difference include Tim McGee at DT and Cedric McKinley at DE. William VanDeSteeg, who was injured last season, looks ready to rock and roll once again. Now a senior, he’s healthy and ready to resume his sack attack, improving upon the 10 sacks he recorded as a sophomore.

Two wins seem as close to definite as they can be, while three tossups can provide the club with something about which they might feel good. On September 6 the Golden Gophers visit Bowling Green for their first swing game. Home contests on September 20 versus Florida Atlantic and October 4 against Indiana can also go either way.

Five wins are certainly possible and if QB Weber can use last year’s rookie season to improve his game then an upset or two may be possible. But the defense is still a work-in-progress and must get much better in order for the Golden Gophers to beat a club like Purdue or Wisconsin.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Northern Illinois	Home
Sep 6	Bowling Green	Away
Sep 13	Montana State	Home
Sep 20	Florida Atlantic	Home
Sep 27	Ohio State	Away
Oct 4	Indiana	Home
Oct 11	Illinois	Away
Oct 25	Purdue	Away
Nov 1	Northwestern	Home
Nov 8	Michigan	Home
Nov 15	Wisconsin	Away
Nov 22	Iowa	Home

 

For more info on the 2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football program, view their official website or read up on the rest of the Big Ten foes below.