This article about unbeaten Minnesota is from a year ago this week. Currently, the Gophers are 1-3 at the halfway point of the shortened 2020 season. It’s amazing how much can change in twelve months! With that in mind, here is my Minnesota mid-season report:
Offense
Quarterback
Quarterback Tanner Morgan hasn’t quite looked like himself this year. He got off to a rough start against Michigan, but played well in the loss to Maryland and the win over Illinois. Against Iowa, however, I found myself wondering if he’s dealing with an injury. Morgan completed just under half of his passes for 167 yards, a garbage-time touchdown, and two picks. He had a handful of uncharacteristic overthrows of receivers, and was sacked four times. His sack total is now up to 11. Some of that is on the offensive line, but some is also on Morgan holding onto the ball too long.
Bottom Line: We’ve seen what Morgan is capable of. He’s got to get more consistent, as does the play-calling.
Running Back
No issues here. Through the first four weeks of the season, Mohamed Ibrahim ranks second in the country in rush yards per game (178.8). He’s also tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns with ten. Keep in mind, some teams have played far more than three games.
It is surprising to see how long head coach PJ Fleck kept Ibrahim in the Iowa game. Freshman Treyson Potts is already injured, and while Cam Wiley looks good, this team may not win another game without Ibrahim.
Bottom Line: Mo’s money, no problems (sorry).
Wide Receiver/Tight End
In addition to having a new offensive coordinator, the team misses Tyler Johnson. A lot. Rashod Bateman hasn’t stepped into the number one role quite as seamlessly as I think many expected. Last season, Johnson was the one drawing double-teams and leaving space for Bateman. Now Bateman is the one who draws multiple defenders. He’s still caught 32 passes for 413 yards and two scores, but I think most Gopher fans were anticipating more. Chris Autman-Bell has stepped into the number two role nicely. I’m actually surprised not to see him targeted more often. Likewise, I’m surprised to see the tight ends not be more involved in the passing game, especially as the offensive line continues to improve and their blocking isn’t as badly needed.
In the second half, keep an eye on Daniel Jackson. The coaching staff is said to be very high on the talented freshman.
Bottom Line: Bateman is going to draw two defenders. They have to start doing a better job spreading the ball around in the passing game.
Offensive Line
For a unit in flux, I’m impressed overall. Right guard Curtis Dunlap is injured, and right tackle Daniel Fa’alele is out due to COVID concerns. But Blaise Andries and Axel Ruschmeyer have stepped in and played well. My only concern is the number of sacks they give up, but that’s not entirely on the offensive line.
Bottom Line: There are little things to fix here and there, but this unit isn’t a huge problem
Defense
Defensive Line
This unit lost three key players in the offseason, and has exceeded my expectations. Junior Boye Mafe is responsible for three-and-a-half of the Gophers’ six sacks, and Esezi Otomewo has played well too.
Another guy I’m really looking forward to seeing more of is 6’2″, 310-pound redshirt freshman DeAngelo Carter, who has a sack and an interception already.
Bottom Line: They’re playing decently, especially considering the departures of Carter Coughlin, Sam Renner, and Winston DeLattiboudere.
Linebackers
Any unit that loses both of its senior starters would probably get off to a rough start the next year. As of my Minnesota mid-season report, this one is no exception. Braelen Oliver, who saw considerable playing time a year ago, is injured and unavailable as well.
Mariano Sori-Marin (who did start a handful of games in 2019), Cody Lindenberg, and Thomas Rush have had an up-and-down start to the 2020 season. Sori-Marin does have 20 total tackles, third-most on the team, despite being ejected in the first half of the Iowa game for targeting.
Bottom Line: With no returning full-time starters, this may be the position group hurt most by the lack of a normal off-season. Keep an eye on James Gordon IV, who played sparingly to start the year but intercepted Iowa’s Spencer Petras.
Defensive Backfield
A year ago, this unit was the Antoine Winfield Jr. show. That takes a lot out of opponents’ playbooks- if they’re smart, they won’t throw anywhere near him. This year, everything is on the table.
Tyler Nubin and Jordan Howden are leading the team in tackles, which tells me too many opponents get into the secondary without being tackled.
Bottom Line: Of the Gophers’ remaining opponents, only one (Northwestern) doesn’t have a top-100 passing offense. Even Nebraska is up to #98. If this unit can’t tighten up, I’d be tempted to start playing some of the younger guys and at least letting them get their feet wet.
Special Teams
After a very rough start, most of the regulars are back in their roles and the last two games have been better. Placekicking needs to be more consistent.
Bottom Line
The theme of my Minnesota Mid-Season Report is consistency. The Gophers need more of it at every position with the possible exception of running back. I’m especially concerned about the defense, as their final four opponents look far more formidable as a whole than they did six weeks ago.
