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Minnesota has a winnable early schedule -- including an opportunity for revenge against Toledo at the Metrodome -- and a 4-0 record is conceivable before the Big Ten season begins at Purdue on Sept. 28. How the Golden Gophers fare in the Big Ten boils down to whether QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq builds on the momentum of late last season and whether the restructured offensive line proves to be a solid unit. The return of WR Jermaine Mays is a big plus, while TE Ben Utecht has few (if any) peers. With his size and natural pass-receiving skills, Utecht reminds me of former Miami Hurricane standout Jeremy Shockey, who is now with the New York Giants.
The defensive dynamic has really changed compared to last year. This time last season, Mason had brought in four new defensive coaches and was dealing with the loss of eight defensive starters. That's just too much of a changeover. If significant improvement is to be expected, the young DEs have to be up to the task and the competition at LB must provide an upgrade. With CB Michael Lehan and FS Eli Ward, the secondary should hold up well if they receive any assistance at all from the front seven.