Minnesota Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
Offense
Gone from this side of the ball, most noticeably, is quarterback Mitch Leidner. Who will be tasked to replace him? Fleck has yet to decide, stating that he will begin the season with dual starters.
Returning is senior Conor Rhoda who got the opportunity to start one game in 2016, completing 7-of-15 passes for 82 yards and a score. He led the Gophers to a 31-10 victory over Maryland. He wasn’t all that impressive, though.
Many in the program are high on sophomore dual-threat Demry Croft who might just provide the offense more of an upside. He can do more with the ball in his hands, but will need to prove it early on in 2017.
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Whoever starts at quarterback will need to develop all-new weapons in the pass game. Leading receiver from 2016 Drew Wolitarsky is gone, but Rashad Still returns. The junior receiver is the only returning starter from last season and was second on the team with 18 catches for 349 yards. Tyler Johnson and Eric Carter will also be in the starting mix.
Senior tight end Nate Wozniak is a name to watch as he could provide support for a first-year starting quarterback in check-downs. Colton Beebe is a rising sophomore star as the backup.
The pass game ranked just 111th in the country in 2016, but the offense allowed just 16 sacks all season, so that’s on Leidner and his receivers. The run game ranked in the top half of the nation and the offensive line returns 4-of-5 starters. The unit should gel even more together and provide Rhoda and Croft solid protection.
Rodney Smith, the best back in the Big Ten?
There’s a debate raging around the Big Ten about the Big Ten’s best running back, but the overwhelming choice is Saquon Barkley. Others talk about Justin Jackson of Northwestern, Ohio State’s Mike Weber, Michigan’s Chris Evans and Michigan State’s LJ Scott who are also in the conversation.
One name that is often overlooked is Rodney Smith. Minnesota’s junior running back had a breakout season in 2016, rushing for 1,158 yards and 16 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per touch. Fleck isn’t afraid to use his running backs early and often, so expect Smith to get plenty of carries in 2017.
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While fellow junior Shannon Brooks will steal some carries, Smith has the potential to break 250 attempts this season and if he averages about 5.5 yards per touch, assuming he improves in that regard, he will finish with about 1,400 yards.
OK, he may not be better than Barkley, but can he be the conference’s second-best running back in 2017?