if you think you guys are gonna be good next year think again espn just predicted the big ten standings for 08 and they have you guys in dead last. i know it doesnt mean thats how the big ten is gonna finish, who knows you guys could get maybe 3 wins this year and finsih 9th in the big ten, but your not going to a bowl. looks like it still sucks to be a goopher fan.
Everyone has their opinion. My guess is the writer hasn't examined the recruiting classes + who has departed + coaching changes at all 11 Big Ten schools, analyzing the real strengths and weaknesses of each team.
The Gophers lost or had a chance to tie/win several games in the last minute of those games. We were a handful of plays (plus a little luck, admittedly) from being a 6-6 team. We have a Top-20 recruiting class that includes several JC transfers, so it's not just a bunch of freshmen. Weber has a year experience under his belt, which should make a huge difference. If they can find a new DC that can put ANY kind of defense on the field, it's a team that could certainly go 7-5. (4-0 non-conference, 3-5 conference).
If sportswriters were always right in the preseason, we wouldn't have polls that change each week, and the #1 team would go 12-0 every year. That's why they play the game.
JC transfers do a couple things for you. First, they allow you to bring the freshmen along more slowly -- they don't HAVE to play right out of the gate. Second, all the JC players have already played 2 years of college ball -- and had to have been successful to be 3- or 4-star recruits -- which means you've got experience on the field. Honestly, I think getting the JC transfers was brilliant -- particularly on defense. Just a mediocre defense would be an important upgrade for the Gophers, because you figure that offense will continue to put points on the board. It puts a lot of pressure on your offense if they KNOW they must score because the defense can't hold anyone. I really think the Gophers will surprise people this year.
Who knows how it'll shake up next year, but just because somebody at ESPN wrote an article on the Big Ten doesn't mean squat. Nobody in their right mind (even Badger fans) would've bet that the Gophers would've only had 1 win and finished dead last....nor would people have slated Illinois for the Rose Bowl after their last year....
My "bold" prediction....the Gophers will win more games than last year....their recruiting class alone could win more games than last year.
Spring practice doesn't start until the END of March. No one has seen any of the recruits in uniform...why the heck does ESPN even bother with predictions?
To illustrate how much credence you should place in pre-season predictions here is one from ESPN posted on August 31, 2007.
5. Minnesota will be better than Michigan State
Minnesota coach Tim Brewster inherited a better team than new Spartans coach Mark Dantonio. The Gophers will go bowling in 2007; both teams will play in the postseason in 2008.
Didn't quite happen like they thought it would in 2007, did it?
So take it easy Cheesy...just by reading the opinion of one blow hard writer who gets paid to speculate don't get all hot n' bothered thinking about how bad the Gophers are going to be.
I didn't like how pro Ohio State the article was...
They way it was written made it seem like every other team in the Big Ten besides Ohio State sucks, and the only reason they play is to amuse Ohio State...
Its pretty easy to see the Badgers will finish ahead of the gophers again. I think the gophers will get last again but i don't see the badgers finishing second. Its too hard to replace a quarterback thats had the job for a few years. As of now to beat the badgers all you have to do is shut down the running game and the badgers won't be able to score. Stop the run and score a few points equals a win for u when you play the badgers.
I don't think we'll get to a bowl, but who knows with 50 bowls ya never know. As for ESPN picking us last what do they really know. Anything can happen anything. I think Coach B is going to be a god one. And with a 1 win season he gets a top 25 class. Th guy is great at recruiting kids.
Are you in for shock! The "Golden Gophers" will shock you and the nation with a 9-3 record and at least break even in the Big Ten conference. They have a schedule advantage this year and have a ton of excellent new talent coming in that Brewster knows matches his offense and meets immediate defensive needs big time. The Big Ten will be down and this is the year the UofM (The U) is resurrected!
My worries are all on defense, this offense is going to put up points, but the defense is the x factor. Last year they could not stop anybody. BTW, I am getting my schedules screwed up, TCF opens this next season, right?
The Gophers will be better this year then last, but it is in 09 where they will make the biggest gain.
Of the things I like about Brewster, besides his incredible recruiting skill is that he hired quality coaches to surround himself with. The coaches just did not have anything to work with last year and it will take another year for them to get the players all working together, especially on Defense!
The offense will be better this year and the Defense will start to gel around the fourth game. They will probably have BT wins this year and play tough in most if not all the games. There may be one blowout, but I don't think there will be more then that.
Since I believe 09 is the year they will make a significant improvement, If they get 6 wins this year, I think it will be a good year!
