2006-07 was another excellent year in the Golden Gopher’s program. Led by All-American Alex Goligoski, the Gophers used the strength of a 22-game unbeaten streak to take both conference titles, but once again couldn’t break out of the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. With returning lynchpin Blake Wheeler leading what’s sure to be yet another dominated offense in the Mariucci Arena…
Wait, what are we talking about again?
Team - Minnesota Golden Gophers
Location - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Stadium - Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome - Capacity 64,000
Coach - Tim Brewster
2006 Record/Finish - 6-7, 3rd Quarter Insight Bowl Champs.
2007 H2DN Prediction - 3-9, 11th of the Big 10.
Top Returners - Amix Pinni (RB), Mike Sherels (MLB)
Biggest Loss - Glen Mason (HC)
ESPN Incessant Talking Point - TIM BREWSTER IS A NEW COACH HE WAS THE TIGHT ENDS COACH FOR DENVER BUT HE’S NOW THE HEAD COACH FOR THE GOLDEN GOPHERS.
Key Offseason Event - See ESPN Incessant Talking Point. Combine with plans to get the Gophers out of the HHH-dome by 2010. Coat with salt and butter to taste.
Additional Notes - A 2005 season that saw the Gophers beat Michigan gave way to a 2006 season that saw the Gophers beat North Dakota State by a blocked field goal. While the offensive line let 5 players rush for 4.5+ yards a carry, and Bryan Cupito passing for a healthy 60% rate with a 22-9 td-pick ratio, their porous defense gave up 28+ points 6 times (-3 of the 40+ variety), all leading to losses. Clearly, the Minnesota athletic department brought in the former offensive coordinator and tight end coach to help out the defense.
If there’s a bright spot for the Gophers, it’s the fact that they return 9 defensive players, and they couldn’t get much worse right? Brewster better be able to use whatever chemistry the defense has while getting rid of their immense suck.
Offensively, Amir Pinnix returns, and not much else. They’ve lost their top 2 receiving threats and the only QB with more than 10 tosses, turning Minnesota into a single-dimension rushing attack.
The soft, gooey non-conference schedule of 2 Mac teams, a trip to Miami to see Florida Atlantic, and North Dakota State (Back to the hockey thing again). An early loss to either Bowling Green or Miami Ohio wouldn’t be surprising, and the conference schedule doesn’t have Michigan State, perhaps their best chance for a conference victory.
Glen Mason may never have had a Big 10 Title, but he got to bowls. Tim Brewster has his hands full attempting even that.
Fun Fact - Most of Minnesota’s football team are there for the free hockey tickets.
August 16, 2007 at 8:46 pm
The Gophers will actually start the 2009 season in their new stadium!
Also I’m surprised you didn’t mention the fact that even though they’re set up to be a running team, Brewster is switching them to a spread offense. Would have made a nice endcap to that part.
March 11, 2008 at 5:12 pm
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