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| Sunday, August 12 Updated: August 13, 10:38 PM ET Minnesota eyes third straight bowl game By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com |
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Minnesota Golden Gophers 2000 record: 6-6 (4-4). Coach: Glen Mason (5th year, 22-25). Starters returning: (9 offense, 2 defense, 2 kickers. Outlook: Let's be blunt. If the Gophers don't score a ton of points this season, they're probably not going to win many games. A defense that fell apart down the stretch last season, allowing 39 points a game over the final five games, must be rebuilt from the ground up. That includes the coaching staff, since Mason has four new defensive assistants. Fortunately for Mason the offense should be able to move the ball consistently and strike quickly if necessary. Junior tailback Tellis Redmon blossomed last season (1,368 yards) and is one of the better tailbacks in the Big Ten. Mason has two choices at quarterback -- senior Travis Cole and sophomore Asad Abdul-Khaliq -- with the latter the more physically gifted of the pair. Cole is steadier, though, and the Gophers can't afford mistakes considering the question marks on defense. The receiving corps, led by senior Ron Johnson, returns intact. The biggest question on offense is the line, which must replace the unit's two best players. That includes All-American center Ben Hamilton. If the line falters, the offensive production will slip. And if the offensive production slips, the Gophers will ... well, you know the ending. Keep an eye on: WR Ron Johnson. A certain Michigan receiver turned pro a year early after catching 67 passes for 1,130 yards (16.9-yard average) and 14 touchdowns. Minnesota's Johnson contemplated jumping to the NFL but decided to return to school. Johnson's numbers (61-1,125-18.4-11) were comparable to Terrell's. If the line develops and the quarterback play remains solid look for Johnson to put up similar numbers this season as he becomes a first-round draft pick. Key game: The Nov. 3 home matchup with Ohio State likely won't determine the league champion, but it should provide plenty of drama and angst for Mason. Remember that Mason went after the Ohio State job after John Cooper was fired and thought he was moving to Columbus. Jim Tressel got the job, though, and Mason was left to convince Minnesota's players and fans he is committed to the Gophers program. It's a good year if... The Gophers go bowling again. History is not on Mason's side. In 15 seasons as a head coach Mason has yet to post winning records in three consecutive seasons. The Gophers were 8-4 two seasons ago and 6-6 last season. Notice a trend? Considering the potential hangover from Mason's courting of Ohio State and the questions on defense, the Gophers might slide back even further. A third consecutive bowl berth -- a first in school history -- would be a remarkable achievement. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. |
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