The “pre-season” is over, and the Gophers are unbeaten. Now comes the true test- can they continue their winning ways in conference games?
Minnesota Starts Big Ten Play
Here are three players to watch as Minnesota starts Big Ten play.
Zach Annexstad, Quarterback
Annexstad injured his ankle against Miami of Ohio this past weekend but didn’t leave the game. Tanner Morgan replaced him in the third quarter with the Gophers already holding a significant lead. Annexstad’s injury sounds fairly benign and I’d be shocked if he missed any time.
So far this season, the freshman from Norseland, MN is completing 55.7% of his passes. He’s thrown for 537 yards and four touchdowns; more importantly, he has yet to be picked off. However, this is still an eighteen-year-old freshman we’re talking about–one who has yet to face a Power Five defense. Annexstad has impressed me with his poise in the pocket, and his judgment about when to get outside of it. If he can continue those things with bigger, stronger, faster defenders coming at him, the Gophers should be able to win some conference games.
Tyler Johnson, Wide Receiver
Freshmen Chris Autman-Bell and Rashod Bateman are off to good starts in college football, but when conference play starts, the Gophers are going to need Johnson to carry the load. The junior from the Twin Cities had seven touchdowns last season and has five through the first three games of 2018. He’s clearly the target Annexstad (and, presumably, the coaching staff) is most comfortable going to.
Another thing to watch for–what happens when Johnson inevitably starts getting double- and triple-teamed? Can he beat elite defensive backs, or is the team forced to go to the freshmen more?
Antoine Winfield, Jr., Safety/Punt Returner
There are any number of players on the defense I would suggest watching, but Winfield gets the nod because of his abilities on both defense and punt returns. In week one, he returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown against New Mexico State. A week later, he picked off Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMariyon. Like almost everyone on the Gopher’s defense, Winfield is fast, good in coverage, and a solid tackler.
Looking at this weekend’s matchup, Maryland currently has the 96th-ranked punt return defense in FBS, so this could be another big day for Winfield as a return man.
The Gophers’ first conference game is noon on Saturday at Maryland. The game will air on Big Ten Network.
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