2008 OUTLOOK: The Gophers will continue to rank at the bottom of the Big Ten until they fix their myriad defensive problems. The Gophers welcome another new coordinator in former Duke head coach Ted Roof, who hopes to improve a unit that finished last nationally in total defense in 2007. The defense will have seven or eight new starters, almost all of them freshmen or junior college transfers who were part of a Top 20 recruiting class. Sophomore quarterback Adam Weber and the offense should move the ball and put up points, but the Gophers are dangerously thin at running back and inexperienced at wide receiver. Minnesota won only one game in Tim Brewster's debut season as coach so it's hard to imagine 2008 being that bad again. But a bowl game trip might also be out of reach, too.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Sophomore quarterback Adam Weber again will carry a heavy burden in offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar's spread attack. Weber set a host of school passing records last season and also led the Gophers in rushing. His primary focus this season is to eliminate mental mistakes, which contributed to his 19 interceptions. Junior Eric Decker is one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten, but he needs help. The offensive line could feature three new starters so that group needs to develop some chemistry. Depth at running back is a major concern. Sophomore Duane Bennett and junior Jay Thomas, who is returning from his second ACL surgery, are the only returning tailbacks with any experience.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Things can't get any worse than they were last season, right? Minnesota finished last nationally in total defense and had one of the worst defenses statistically in recent NCAA history. The defense has a new coordinator in Ted Roof (former Duke head coach) and could feature as many as eight new starters, including a brand new secondary. Seniors Deon Hightower and Steve Davis return at linebacker, but coach Tim Brewster said they will have to compete for their jobs with several newcomers. Junior college transfers Tim McGee and Cedric McKinley should bring size and speed to the line, which failed to get any pass rush last season and was overpowered against the run.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
The Gophers expect to be solid in the kicking game with punter Justin Kucek and place-kicker Joel Monroe. Kucek should be an All-America and Ray Guy Award candidate after averaging 42.7 yards per punt with 21 punts pinned inside the 20-yard line last season. Monroe made 7 of 9 field goals and was solid on kickoffs after taking over early in the season. Junior college transfer David Pittman will likely return punts. Sophomore Harold Howell received a lot of hype from Brewster coming out of high school but was too inconsistent last season. The coaching staff still believes he can be a dangerous kickoff returner.

ROSTER REPORT

--Junior running back Jay Thomas had ACL surgery on his right knee last winter and is expected to be ready by fall camp. Thomas has ACL surgery on his left knee as a freshman. Thomas did some individual work during spring practice and said his rehab is ahead of schedule.

--Backup wide receiver Marcus Sherels moved to cornerback with two weeks left in spring workouts and could provide depth at that position, according to Brewster. Sherels caught only three passes as a sophomore but averaged 21.4 yards on kickoff returns.

--Tight end Jack Simmons (foot) and linebacker Deon Hightower (shoulder) had their workload scaled back this spring while recovering from offseason surgeries, but both are expected to be ready for fall camp.

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