Minnesota 2021 Football Preview

2020 Recap

Minnesota came into the 2020 season with a lot of talent returning on offense, but some big shoes to fill on the defensive side. Sure enough the defense struggled early in the year giving up 49 and 45 points in losses to Michigan and Maryland to start the season.

The Gophers rebounded with a big win over Illinois 41 – 14 the following week. The joy of that win was short lived as the team gave up 35 points in a 35 – 7 loss to Iowa the following week. The 1 -3 Gophers needed a strong finish to salvage their 2020 season.

Minnesota’s offense carried them to a shootout win over Purdue 34 – 31 to get the team back in the win column. The defense then stepped up and helped carry the team to a 24 – 17 win over Nebraska before the team fell 20 – 17 against rival Wisconsin to finish the season. The 2020 season did little to build on the success from 2019, but the strong finish by the defense provides some hope for a better 2021.

2020 Leaders

Projected Starters

Reasons For Optimism

The Offensive Line

Minnesota returns everyone on the offensive line, including monster offensive lineman Danielle Faalele who opted out of 2020. The Gophers will have an experienced, talented and deep offensive line that will be a handful for any defense. The unit features experienced players who performed well in 2020 despite not having Faalele. They allowed less than two sacks per game while paving the way for the Big Ten’s fourth best running offense at 191 yards per game. With another year to improve and Faalele back to bully defenders on the right side, expect the line to be even better in 2021.

Mohamed Ibrahim

As much as Minnesota’s offensive line is a strength so is the guy running behind it. Mohamed Ibrahim proved to be an unstoppable runner in 2020, carrying the load for the Gophers and doing it in dominant fashion. He was a bruising runner who would bounce of tacklers but also had the quick feet to break big plays. Ibrahim never failed to reach the 100 yard mark and topped 200 yards in two of the team’s seven games. He scored multiple touchdowns in five games, including two games with four touchdowns a piece. With Ibrahim back to carry the load in 2021. Minnesota has a strong running game they can rely on every week. That will help the entire offense stay in rhythm and put up points.

Quarterback Room

Tanner Morgan was not as good in 2020 as he was in 2019. Some of that drop could be attributed to the loss of Tyler Johnson, but it’s more likely the irregular off season and uncertainty surrounding the Big Ten regular season played a part as well. Morgan had little time to adjust to his new receivers, found out his top receiver was opting out and then had him opt back in. Morgan is likely to bounce back with a full and more traditional off-season to get comfortable with his weapons. There is quality depth at the position as well, Zack Annexstad was actually the projected starter heading into to 2019 before an injury paved the way for Morgan. Annexstad played quite a bit as a freshman in 2018 and has that experience to lean on if he is called on in 2021. Minnesota has recruited some talented prospects as well, but they are still developing and will likely be depth this year. Nonetheless, with two players who have proven they can perform at this level, Minnesota should have quality QB play in 2021.

Causes For Concern

The Linebacker Play in 2020

2020 was a tough year for Minnesota’s linebackers. The team was replacing Kamal Martin and Thomas Barber and the drop off was noticeable. There were too many plays where the backers were out of position and late to the ball, causing opponents to hit big plays far too regularly. The defense will get a boost from the return of Braelin Oliver who flashed play-making ability as a freshman in 2019. The Gophers also added graduate transfer Jack Gibbens from Abeline Christian. Gibbens was a decorated linebacker at Abeline Christian but will need to prove he can handle Big Ten football. Another player who flashed this spring was second year player, Cody Lindenberg, he showed promise and could provide a boost if called on this year. The Gophers need improvement at linebacker, hopefully they have done enough to revamp the position group.

The Defensive Line Besides Mafe

As a unit the defensive line struggled in 2020, but it would be unfair to not point out that Boye Mafe actually played pretty well at one end spot. Outside of Mafe none of the other three starters performed above average in 2020 and Minnesota has attempted to add talent to improve the play. Nyles Pinckney and Val Martin have transferred in from Clemson and NC State and will provide a veteran presences at defensive tackle. Along with Pinckney and Martin, the expectation is for De’Angelo Malone and Rashad Cheney to improve their play on the interior. Good defense starts with a good defensive line and Minnesota will need that unit to show improvement in 2021.

2021 Schedule

Top 25 Players

2021 Projection

Minnesota opens the season with a tough match-up with Ohio State. The Buckeyes have the most talented roster in the Big Ten, but they are breaking in a new quarterback and replacing several key starters so it might be good news to catch them early in the season. The schedule is more manageable over the next several weeks and if Minnesota’s defense is improved they should be able to go on a run during this stretch. The schedule finishes tough with games at Iowa and Indiana then a home date with rival Wisconsin to finish the regular season. Minnesota should be better in 2021, but the schedule has some tough games and the Big Ten West is strong this year. The Gophers should get to eight wins this year, but need a couple of upsets to win the division.