Minnesota Golden Gophers 2024 Preview & Prediction | PJ Fleck, Big 10, Darius Taylor Analysis

all right guys what's going welcome back to everything colge podcast today me Nick here 2024 preview and prediction for the Minnesota Golden goers PJ Fleck back for his eth year 50 and 304 Mark thus far Greg Harbaugh Jr and Matt Simon will be the offensive coordinator Cory hetherman last two years spent at Ruckers will step into the defensive coordinator role following the departure of Joe Rossy two seasons under Greg shano as the linebacker coach out there in Piscataway very aggressive scheme he coaches with I think this is a pretty underrated higher here and obviously the biggest headlines you know rossy's departure and four defensive players drafted the last two cycles showing some you know strength there looking at the offensive side of the ball this is UN they drastically disappointed Nick and obviously they were just not very good across the board I thought the Run game was good but the passing game just continues to be a problem for them you know you know Tanner Morgan started his career good a couple seasons ago didn't end it very well um it's just really been a problem since then Nathan CIS wasn't very good 53% comp rate you know nine picks in that uh in his season 153 yards per contest it wasn't very good and obviously this gamee doesn't seem to be very friendly for quarterbacks um but at the same time I feel like they should be able to Showcase some more balance and they're hoping Max brosmer from New Hampshire is going to be the answer you know he has quick release you know touchdown field is good lofs it right over the defense into a bucket good speed as a runner you know I like the downfield ball placement he plays with some confidence you know has good IQ playing a good amount of football 62221 you know what do you make of this young cat here Nick lot of guys that are fans of this program are you know pretty excited for what brosmer can bring to the table is he going to be the answer though I like the ad here I think Chris or Max Bronner is a really solid ad from New Hampshire a guy that people loved in the portal when he you know entered the portal he's one of the higher rated quarterbacks available he ends up stingly on Minnesota I think it's a natural fit for him a really nice move he jumps up from the Wildcats New Hampshire Wildcats that play in the FCS level a pretty solid team up there in New Hampshire now he jumps up to this big 10 level here at Minnesota who really struggled passing the ball last year they were horrendous through the air they really couldn't get anything going 143 point4 pass yards per game6 in the nation in passing they Lo their quarterback moved on to Ruckers and now they got brasmer who comes in here 62 221 I like the size of them the arm is good High football IQ very confident good experience at the FCS level I this is a really solid ad a very underrated ad and could really be a key for this offense succeeding and I think a big reason why they will succeeded you know they got their top two rushers back and they also picked up a nice one in SE bangera from Ohio 1900 yard 20 touchdowns for him over the last two years a guy who's a physical Runner thrives in the open field what I like about Darius Taylor is a guy who has nice suddenness really like his jump cut great burst doesn't show much long speed um but you know has nice change of Direction at times 800 yards and six games fallowing an injury absurd production for him and we quickly prove he could be a Workforce as well as early on in the year he had two games of 30 plus touches going for 100 plus 90 plus yards uh and he also had 20 plus for 138 and a loss against North Carolina end into the bowl game 35 for 208 and a touchdown against Bowling Green this is a guy who's gonna get a healthy workload this season but he also has nice options to spell him the aforementioned manga Marcus major coming over from Oklahoma he's played Sparling over five years has good ball security that's really all he brings to the table um and I think this is nice returning Nu in he had 40 carries for 200 plus yards against Michigan State was pretty efficient in the final few games of the Season he played in really good running back room here Nick obviously you know they're able to plug in anybody and get production out of them I mean Nu's Plus for a guy who was considered a second string back I mean they just threw anybody into the rotation it seemed at the end of the year again he was very efficient Sean Tyler you know I thought he would have a good year didn't you know he didn't see the field very much um but this is a really good running back room Nick one that's incredibly underrated in this conference love this running back room Taylor you know 800 yards on the ground last year 5.8 yards per carry and five scores for him also had 11 pass uh pass catches out of the backfield solid numbers there Jordan nubbins 560 yards on the ground 4.4 yards per carry and three scores for him really solid back two really good backs so they had some nice ads from the portal that you alluded to some really solid players they bring over I think this running back room is very deep really solid rotational opportunity here I like this room a lot and you know you look at wide receiver room the one that last year I thought was incredibly good the production obviously wasn't you know du a poor quarterback play wasn't as Stellar as it probably should have been Daniel Jackson returns though not the biggest fastest or strongest guy that really thrives of contested catches creates separation very well had 107 t targets you know has good contact balance and seems like a pretty good threat on the vertical routes at 6'2 200 leque Brockington will step into a full-time role after only a few touches last year Elijah spener was pretty disappointing a season to go you know this is a guy has big playability was a stand out for Charlotte in the past thought he' get on the field a lot more and he just didn't Jaylen Varner jumps from the D2 level to the Big 10 in you know outstanding career at por State obviously he's going to step up into a lot harder competition Kendrick lanir a three star from Georgia good athletic ability strong speed enters his second season uh the son of Donald Driver former Packer standout Christian drivers on this roster Tyler Williams a high-end fourstar from the Georgia Bulldogs you know a player has the ability to seriously be a big time playmaker here on the perimeter solid unit you know lots of unproven depth uh you know a few guys that will be good ball players I would think you look at tight end quickly you know Bren spin Ford also didn't really play to his potential last season this group isn't all that impressive you know Nick karup expected to be the starter should be a big help in the Run blocking game you know with a backups mainly having no production either I don't know what to expect from tight end what do you make of this wide receiver group Nick you know one that seems to be all over the place you know Chris ottman Bell just couldn't stay healthy the last couple years Cory crms was okay but again not as good as he should have been and Darius Taylor who only played in six games with 11 receptions for 92 yards was the fourth leading receiver that's a lot of concern especially since they just didn't use the guys properly last year due to poor quarterback play it's a very odd wide receiver room but there is some nice return production with Jackson who's the only player that really does return production but his returning production is solid 831 yards receiving 14.1 yards for grab and eight scores for him really good numbers coming back you know Brockington is a solid player he had one touchdown on five grabs last year Elijah Spencer had nine grabs and three touchdowns kind of impressive numbers there for him Tyler Williams and Christian driver two good ads Williams from Georgia driver from Penn State really solid ads there you highlighted you know lenier as well he could potentially be involved I think with better quarterback play this wide receiver room will improve I think this is a room that's not terrible they're not incredible you know we I'm sort of Leaning the same way I did when we talked about Michigan State where it's not an incredible room but it's still a serviceable room that will be solid in the Big 10 you look at the offensive line unit should also be very strong you know led by left tackle arante ö was a great run blocker you often get beat inside on pass BR though against quickness had some real rough games in that regard only had two sacks allowed though both coming against Michigan you know goof figure an incredible defensive line there needs to find better consistency but a player at 663 25 is very good left guard you know Tyler Cooper was phenomenal pass protection on the other hand very limited pressures allowed 65 315 he should continue to develop in the Run game as well Nathan Bo you they lose him a very very good player at Center replacing him with Greg Johnson who really struggled when he played at left guard quite big for a center 66320 but the confidence is very high when it comes to his football IQ you know the communication should be strong from his end quen Carol you know two straight season of starting a right tackle he's been an abysmal pass blocker though despite being really strong asset in the Run game kicking him the Right Guard seems to make the most sense Martez Lewis he's back after an up and down season where he was at Right Guard might even play some tackle massive size 67335 I think you know Carol's going to really thrive on the inside that's where they decid to put him I think the offensive line played really well last year need more stability though the Arts perur carry number was quite low uh but you know pretty healthy you know compromised you know the health of running back was compromised that is a good bit so that certainly didn't help um and obviously the poor quarterback play didn't make this offense line look any better I think they're going to have a pretty good unit here Nick you know I love ersery I left tackle I think Carol's going to thrive a Right Guard I think Johnson's a guy I really like and Cooper he was a very underrated part of this unit can they live up toward to the potential though I think this is a very solid left side ear is one of the best left tackles in the country a really solid player I think he's one of the best players on this team a really good run blocker love the size on him then Cooper right there partner with him on the left side is another really solid player that's a really nice one-w punch you have on the left side I think Quinn Carol will be a really solid impact player at Right Guard I like the move for him a lot you know Philip Daniels Greg Johnson two other guys that could be starters that could be solid here Reese trip as well could he potentially move to right tackle what is he going to look like some other players being moved around here uh filling holes Greg Johnson is he going to be moved around as well so I think there is some opportunity to find some guys that can grow but I do really like Johnson at Center I think he's a solid player I love Cooper and I love EZ on the left side two really solid players on the left side of this offensive line certainly have some questions are right tackle though Philip Daniels lman ail Spencer Alvarez guys are going to battle for that position the rest of the unit seems pretty strong though the verdict for me on this side of the ball you know the Goofer gopher phandom seems excited for what brasmer can do for this passing game and more stability from the quarterback he's going to pay big dividends for a group that's loaded at running back has a physical line with some good sides and a wide receiver room that even has a few guys I think can emerge as reliable players Improvement is on the way but the quarterback position must do its thing for that to take shape defensive side of the ball you know Joe Rossy did a pretty good job and years prior but this past season they kind of fell apart you know 69th and points per game uh they're still good in terms of allowing yards um they lost two guys on the portal added four they're going to shift from a 425 to a 43 returning nine starters you know they have a really good defensive line despite limited production you know J Joiner at DN you know at 65250 Great length match with you know high-end explosion good bend to turn the Arc was a good pass rusher of his efficiency overall strength is just poor though and causes him to struggle versus a run immensely needs to develop better hand usage also Danny strigo coming off an impressive season really impressed impressed with his uh improved pass rushing some good experience in the backup in Anthony Smith and Lucas vzzi also added Jackson Howard a top 150 recruit who comes back home from LSU as a true freshman physically impressive and has some twitch to his game Jaylen Lo Logan reading also been around a long time on this interior Devon Easter Logan richer you vets that played a good bit last year Easter was solid the latter not so much Darnell Jeff in his seventh season the ball not playing due to injury uh last year not sure what he'll provide plenty of guys on the depth chart not much experience or proven difference makers Nick outside of Joiner if stgo questionable unit what do you think this defensive line can accomplish I like strio I think he's a really solid player they return a really solid player that gets after the quarterback good pass rusher 51 total tackles for him seven tackles for loss six sacks for him jot Joiner 18 total tackles 7 and a half tackles for loss 7 and a half sacks your leader and those two categories that returns I think he's a very underrated player at Edge there really solid player Devon Eastern 28 total tackles plus one tackle for loss decent enough production returning from him Jaylen Logan reading 29 tot tackles three and a half tackles for loss two and a half sacks decent enough numbers there as well I like what I've seen there I think there are some other players Logan rer could be okay this year for this team could potentially step up and be involved so I think this is not a terrible unit I do think this unit has some nice upside the only 56 tackles for loss for this unit they just don't generate many negative plays it's kind of been the case under Rossi for a couple of Seasons where they play tough and hard without being able to put guys behind the sticks that certainly limits their upside I think this is certainly unit that can certainly improve in that regard uh you look at the middle of this defense you know ravaged by injuries last season but it allowed younger players to get on the field Cody lindenberg was on Pace for a strong season if he played all year but didn't take the field till November missed a lot of tackles though Devon Williams should start alongside him Maverick BR rowski was solid in coverage Matt kingsberry and Joey kwock played a few snaps each should see better consistency here with improved Health especially with hetherman Nick being a linebacker coach under the you know great Greg shano so I certainly think there's some nice upside for this linebacking room they got to be able to stay healthy I like this room this is some solid players Devon Williams 52 total tackles for him plus a pick mavi baronsky 52 total tackles as well five tackles loss for him Cody lindenberg really does struggle at missing tackles but overall I think he's a solid player 31 total tackles three and a half tackles for loss for him they return him as a decent player as well this is not a bad unit here I think this is a unit that has some solid players Joey gerlock if he could stay fully healthy he didn't play a whole lot last year only had one tackle throughout the entire season through 13 games where he just played as a kind of role player was battling some health as a red shirt freshman you know I think this is a unit that has some solid piece I do like the coaching as well to kind of elevate these guys now you look at the secondary unit that of course loses an elite safety there and Tyler nubbin also lose a good Corner Trayvon Jones but they do return Justin wayy you know a guy who's got good quick feet nice change of Direction ability I like the nice backpedal overall exceptional coverage skills has the closing speed the thriving Zone needs to keep improving his ball production and despite being sound versus The Run tackling technique needs work this is going to be one of the better Corners in the country there um you know Justin wayy Jack Henderson you know he's a great player for them especially in coverage a versatile player who you know thrives in the Box a lot and he's also in the slot a good bit you know opposite of wayy probably looking at Ethan Robinson you know he played the past three years a buck now was a quality corner for them Zan Bryan played a bit at the end of the year jonte McMillan transfers in from TCU he can play the Nickels well due to his nice athletic ability obviously replacing nubin is going to be incredibly difficult Darius green played nearly 500 snaps last year wasn't all that impressive though koi Pur number five overall safety they beat out Ohio State for him destined to play Early good closing speed likes to embrace contact they're very excited to keep the uh you know instate you know high-end recruit home Coleman Bryson saw a lot of last year only six games he won the bow MVP back in 2022 remember that game I think he had a pick six in that one three star red shirt freshman Carri Brown also in the rotation this is a good secondary I'd say I think CB is a little iffy outside the Wy they had some poor performances last year when they shouldn't have you know they got absolutely throttled by Northwestern for example that was kind of strange early on in the year you know Illinois I think had a little more success and they should have Purdue ran for 353 yards in a game you know in a stretch where they allowed 200 plus in three straight where they didn't allow 200 plus rushing yards at all Nick outside of that even against Michigan so this defense certainly had issues at times what do you make of the secondary though I think underperformed but I think they're going to be all right this year see you that has some solid players Henderson I like him a lot 59 total tackles your top returning tackler five tackles for loss two picks for him Darius screen 51 total tackles Justin Wally 45 total tackles each of them had a couple tackles for loss Wally eight pass breakups Coleman Brinson 25 total tackles and aen outby 10 total tackles as well some solid returning across the board Ethan Robinson a good ad Coop peric like you said a really solid you know high-end recruit that they beat out Ohio State for number five overall safety he's going to be solid nice speed really good to keep him home overall I don't think the secondary unit is terrible I don't think it's phenomenal either they were decent against the pass right year last year right 219 pass yards per game 59th in the nation think it'll be a similar defense despite losing nubin who really was productive in coverage for this team looking at the verdict for side of the ball you know uh alterations to the scheme will be interesting to watch as they significantly lack production but they have still been good under Joe Rossi now they're going to move to more aggressive attacking style they got some ball players on the front seven Some solid upside in the secondary run defense did get annihilated at times you know especially late in the year really uh so that area needs to improve this is a good unit here though and I think Cory hetherman is going to bring some good Knowledge from ruers I think it's certainly going to allow them to improve after giving up you know 150 yards per game on the ground last year so times it really that'd be a struggle for them final preview and prediction for the Minnesota schedule you know same story different year for Minnesota they have good ball players across the board energetic head coach but if the QB plays stagnant once again it's just not going to matter you know I certainly think brosmer elevates this attack which will allow the Run game to really Thrive behind a sound offensive line to establish better balance you know the defense will also be a sturdy unit for the most part unlikely to be a Difference Maker versus Elite teams though I think more stability on the other side though really gives the defense a chance to compete this is a good team here but you have to be cautious Nick because again it is the same story every single year this is a pretty difficult schedule um you know I think they're going to be a hot and cold team win three lose three win another four and then lose two the end the year in games I think they can certainly win if they win four in a row going in the hosting Penn State Nick I think there's a great opportunity for him to win that game I think this is an energetic home crowd seven and five right now I think this team can certainly win nine games um and maybe even pull an upset or two CU they have some nice home draws I think they annihilate North Carolina week one um but if the quarterback play again is not better Nick none of this matters I share the same sentiment I do I do think they dominate North Carolina week one that's a game that we're highlighting on Thursday night they you know they last couple years about 10 years in a row now they've hosted a game on Thursday night Fox National Television always a Ruckus crowd last year they played Nebraska they played Ohio State close a few years ago always a fun game to watch certainly eyes will be on that one I think they will take care of North Carolina rare that they ended up going non-conference for this matchup but I think they will dominate the Tar Heels in that one the rest of the schedule is tough right that three gam stretched against Iowa Michigan and USC is very difficult then you know they blow they blow warm there like you suggested winning four games in a row before closing out with two losses to end the season I do think this is a team that is very talented I think this is a team that has a lot of high upside potential I think the quarterback play will improve I think the defense will be solid this year it's another middle of the road season you know PJ Fleck has been a really solid coach for this team really consistent they've been solid under his tenure when you look at the P past couple of Records right outside the co year but before that they were 11 and2 2019 but then they were 9 and4 9 and4 and 6- seven over the last three years that 11-2 was a bit of an outlier and before that they were 7- six in 2018 so very consistent coach who puts together his guys gets them motivated gets the energy going up there in Minneapolis I like this team to succeed make a bowl game have a pretty solid season I'd consider them a lock for over five wins and a lock for a bowl game it's G be for today's episode as always ni appreciate you joining me talking Fleck and the Gophers like this team a whole lot looking forward to see how they do this year make sure like comment subscribe see you next time