Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The College of Minnesota flag flies in entrance of the coed part after a Gopher landing in opposition to the Indiana State Sycamores within the first quarter at TCF Financial institution Stadium on Sept 10, 2016. Credit score: John Autey / Pioneer Press by way of TNS
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Head coach: P.J. Fleck
2022 document up to now: 1-0
Report versus Ohio State since 2000: 1-11
What’s occurred up to now in 2022?
Minnesota opened its season with a 38-0 dwelling victory in opposition to former Golden Gopher head coach Jerry Kill’s New Mexico State Aggies Sept. 1. The Minnesota protection — which tied Central Florida for first within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision in complete protection in 2021 — maintained that top commonplace of play within the season opener. The Gophers held New Mexico State’s offense to 91 complete yards and simply six first downs en path to a shutout victory.
Key offensive participant:
Coming into his sixth yr at Minnesota, operating again Mohamed Ibrahim can go toe-to-toe with the perfect backs in faculty soccer. Ibrahim’s 2021 season was reduce brief when an Achilles damage within the Gophers’ season opener saved the Maryland native sidelined for the remainder of the yr. Nonetheless, judging from Ibrahim’s 2020 season, he could possibly be a critical difference-maker if he stays wholesome. He scored 15 touchdowns and recorded 1,076 yards in seven video games, setting a Minnesota document for single-season speeding yards per sport.
Key defensive participant:
Fifth-year linebacker Mariano Sori-Marin was one of many largest contributors on Minnesota’s protection final season. In 12 video games, he completed second on the crew in complete tackles with 85, whereas additionally choosing up 5 tackles for loss and one interception. As a crew captain and veteran participant, Sori-Marin will possible make an influence on the sector and within the locker room.
Weaknesses:
Whereas sixth-year quarterback Tanner Morgan and his large receiving corps could make performs, the Minnesota offense’s reliance on Ibrahim may damage the crew in the long term. If Minnesota will get in a shootout with a high-powered offense, it may wrestle to maintain up with its personal run-heavy offense. Moreover, if Ibrahim misses extra motion this season, the Gophers may have hassle adjusting to his absence. Within the Gophers’ first sport with out Ibrahim in 2021, they squeaked by Miami (Ohio) 31-26, and two weeks later, they misplaced 14-10 at dwelling to a Bowling Inexperienced crew that didn’t qualify for a bowl sport.