Gophers Gear Up for Tough 2009

By Ryan Hannigan • on May 13, 2009

For years the maroon and gold faithful have been clamoring for a tougher non-conference schedule. In previous years, opponents such as Louisiana-Monroe, Troy State, and Bowling Green constantly littered the non-conference schedule. Not one of them recognizable as ’traditional’ football power. Finally, in year three under Tim Brewster, their wish has been granted…somewhat.

Minnesota Wide Reciever Eric Decker

Gone are the pushover opponents from the MAC, Conference USA, and Sun Belt conferences. Insert Big East opponent Syracuse in the Carrier Dome, followed by home games at TCF Bank Stadium against Airforce, and perennial PAC-10 power Cal, and you’ve got yourself a genuinely difficult non-conference line-up. Last season, the Gophers jumped out to a surprising 6-1 season record before faltering down the stretch losing five out of the their last six games, including a 42-21 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks in Insight Bowl.

Optimism runs high in Dinkytown however, as quality non-conference opponents should help better prepare the Golden Gophers for the gauntlet that is the Big Ten Conference. As difficult as their schedule may look at first glance, It’s not unreasonable to believe the Gophers can finish the non-conference schedule undefeated.

Syracuse finished last season 3-9, fired head coach Greg Robinson (now defensive coordinator at Michigan), and is in rebuilding mode. Airforce, who are talented enough at the skill positions to give the Gophers fits, still play in the mediocre top-to-bottom Mountain West Conference, and will likely be worn down by Minnesota’s size and speed. Cal, who lost a ton of bulk and experience up front will need to find suitable replacements. They do however, still boast a pre-season Heisman Candidate, in running back Javid Best. The Gophers end non-conference play with a late season matchup at home against football subdivision opponent (formerly 1-AA) South Dakota State.

Cal is by far the toughest opponent the Gophers have faced in a non-conference matchup since well…Cal, back in 2006. In that game, the Gophers jumped out to an early 7-0 first quarter lead, before being trounced in Berkeley, 42-17.

Opening Big Ten play, the Gophers begin Sept. 26th, in Evanston against Northwestern, then come home for winnable games against Wisconsin and Purdue. The remainder of the Big Ten schedule is as tough as it gets with the Gophers playing at Penn State and Ohio State, home for Michigan State and Illinois, and finally concluding Big Ten play Nov. 21st, against the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

Minnesota’s Big Ten schedule is difficult this year, and the fact that the Gophers miss out on playing a rebuilding (again) Michigan squad as well as perennial Big Ten doormat Indiana, only hurt their title chances. While a Big Ten title is not completely unthinkable for Minnesota in 2009, the Golden Gophers should be fun to watch and extremely competitive as they bring back a senior-laden team with experience on both sides of the ball. Future non-conference schedules should also be challenging as the Gophers will play USC at home in 2010, and then travel to Los Angeles to play the Trojans in 2011.

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