Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview 2022: Offense
The 2019 Minnesota offense cranked up over 5,600 yards, the passing game was on fire over the second half of the season, and the team won 11 games. It was one loss to Wisconsin away from playing for the Big Ten title, and now the offense might be close to back to that form.
Last year’s offense got banged up and bruised, but it still managed to finish third in the nation in time of possession, third in the Big Ten in rushing, and it was just efficient enough passing to get the job done.
This year the parts are back to do even more, including Kirk Ciarrocca. He was the offensive coordinator then, took off for a few years, and now he’s back. And so is …
Tanner Morgan. This is his fifth year as the starting quarterback, and now he’s looking to recapture the magic from 2019 when he was among the nation’s most efficient passers. He threw for 3,253 yards and 30 touchdowns three years ago, and pitched just 17 touchdown passes over the last two seasons.
Also back is Chris Autman-Bell after leading the team with 36 grabs and six touchdowns despite missing a few games hurt. In all the top five pass catchers are back, but they need to be more productive while keeping the occasional big play explosion.
But …
Even if the main focus is on getting more out of the passing attack, the running game will be the star. The line might have lost a few destructive forces in Daniel Faalele and Blaise Andries, but the remaining parts are strong around star C John Michael Schmitz and transfers Quinn Carroll (Notre Dame) and Chuck Filiaga (Michigan).
Mohamad Ibrahim was ripping through Ohio State in the season opener before suffering a torn Achilles heel. Leading rusher Ky Thomas is off to Kansas and No. 2 man Mar’Keise Irving is gone to Oregon. Ibrahim is hardly alone with Trey Potts and Bryce Williams good enough to rotate in.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Preview 2022: Defense
The defense was fantastic. It finished first in the Big Ten and third in the nation allowing 279 yards and just 17 points per game. The pass defense was great, the production against the run was even better.
A few key tacklers are back, but the losses at defensive tackle -along with pass rusher Boye Mafe and leading tackler Jack Gibbens – are massive. Any hope to match last year’s production starts with …
The defensive front. It didn’t do much to get into the backfield, but it was a rock. Clemson transfer Darnell Jefferies is a big help to go along with veteran Trill Carter inside, but the pressure has to come from Thomas Rush, Jay Joyner, and Vanderbilt transfer Lorenza Surgers on the outside.
Second-leading tackler Mariano Sori-Marin is back in the middle of the linebacking corps, and it’ll be mix of players to take over for the weakside job next to him with 24-tackle Braelen Oliver getting the first look.
The corners are all but starting over but the safeties are set. Tyler Nubin and Jordan Howden are a nice 1-2 tandem, and on the way is WKU versatile veteran Beanie Bishop coming off a big season.
Justin Walley did nice job when he got his chances at corner. He’s likely going to be the shutdown man now on one side with Abilene Christian transfer Ryan Stapp stepping in on the other side.
Minnesota 2022 Preview | Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Minnesota Top 10 Players | Minnesota Schedule & Analysis