ESPN: Biggest strengths of teams in Big Ten West (Running Back)

BleedGopher

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per ESPN:

Minnesota: The Gophers' bread and butter on offense should once again be their tailback tandem of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. Smith, in particular, produced a breakout 2016 when he finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,158) and second in touchdowns (16) behind only Penn State's Saquon Barkley. During Minnesota's four-game Big Ten winning streak last season, Smith rushed for at least 100 yards in each game and scored eight rushing touchdowns. Brooks missed three games last season but still finished with 650 yards rushing and five touchdowns. If both players can remain healthy, it's reasonable to think they could each eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau on the ground next season. Minnesota hasn't produced two 1,000-yard rushers in a season since 2005, when Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell pulled off the feat. Maroney teamed with Marion Barber for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in 2003 and 2004.

http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/141523/biggest-strengths-of-teams-in-big-ten-west

Go Gophers!!
 

per ESPN:

Minnesota: The Gophers' bread and butter on offense should once again be their tailback tandem of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. Smith, in particular, produced a breakout 2016 when he finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing yards (1,158) and second in touchdowns (16) behind only Penn State's Saquon Barkley. During Minnesota's four-game Big Ten winning streak last season, Smith rushed for at least 100 yards in each game and scored eight rushing touchdowns. Brooks missed three games last season but still finished with 650 yards rushing and five touchdowns. If both players can remain healthy, it's reasonable to think they could each eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau on the ground next season. Minnesota hasn't produced two 1,000-yard rushers in a season since 2005, when Laurence Maroney and Gary Russell pulled off the feat. Maroney teamed with Marion Barber for a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in 2003 and 2004.

http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/141523/biggest-strengths-of-teams-in-big-ten-west

Go Gophers!!

Would love to start a streak of dual 1,000 yd rushers again.
 

Doesn't matter how good Brooks and Smith (and big back McCrary) are if there is no offensive line.

If they can get and keep Wright, Calhoun, Weyler, Mayes and Greene healthy to pair with Lingen and Wozniak, they have a great starting point on the line. That would be seven battle tested, experienced, mature, big guys. The returning offensive line starters are listed 320, 330, 305, 330, 345 and all are fourth and fifth year guys.

Depth is the question mark. Connelly, Dovich, Oseland got some experience and will be third year guys so I hope Warinner can bring them along. Oseland had some very nice offers. These three Listed at 300, 300, 320 but all long guys at 6.7, 6.5, 6.6.

Also curious to see how Schlueter and Olson look. Schlueter was very highly recruited. Previous staff had some nice things to say about Olson. Listed 290 and 295 but I'm sure still growing with 6'6" and 6'5" frames.

Maybe we get lucky and walk-ons Kuehn and Just pan out as both have good size (305 and 290) and maturity. Just is a juco so a little more mature. Fleck seemed to make walk ons a big part of his program at Kalamazoo. Offensive line seems to be a position Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska have had luck with walk ons.

The three new recruits look really good and add immediate depth, if not more, to the o-line. We all know how many offers Andries got, but PJ mentioned at signing day event that Sassack had Big Ten and SEC offers and that Schmitz was the number one recruit in Midwest at center. All three should be very close to 300 pounds by August. Could be four big frosh if Abojei qualifies. I like that they got Rousemiller to walk on.

Beebe also helps the run game as a fullback or hybrid te. Great blocker. Hoping they can use him creatively. Haven't heard much on young tight ends Witham and Kieft. Saw Witham on special teams and a few plays, iirc. They recruited two highly regarded tight end guys in Umlor and Paulson. Umlor looks more like a physical, run blocker. They list him at 260 already. Bursch is supposed to be good run blocker.

Warinner and Callahan both have great o line coaching reputations. With what they bring to the table and maybe adding in what the new strength guy brings to the table, they should be able to field a very good front five on the oline.

What would really help the offensive line is a more effective quick, short passing game to prevent the stacked boxes. I think this staff was pretty good with that at WMU.
 




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