Fewer Yards Gained and Fewer Yards Allowed

by Buck Bravo on Dec 17, 2009 11:30 AM CST in Gopher Football Comment 13 comments

It would be easy to assume that Glen Mason's Gopher squads were characterized by strong running attacks with a weak defense, and that Tim Brewster's Gopher squads have been characterized by a strong passing attack along with overall offensive and defensive inconsistency. While Glen Mason's non-conference cupcake schedule probably skews the numbers, the averages are nonetheless worthy of review. As for the offense over the last seven seasons:

Offense_medium

While his teams have yet to match the yardage of Mason's rushing attacks, Brewster's 2007 squad produced more total yards on offense than Mason's 2006 squad. Mason's tenth and final offense was his worst in the previous seven years. Since that 2007 season, the Gopher offense has continued to decline in total yardage each year. Some blame revolving offensive coordinators, some blame a talent drain due to Mason's lackluster recruiting, and some blame the personnel. Regardless of the cause, the offense is headed the wrong way.

On the other hand, Tim Brewster's defenses have improved each season since a catachlismic 2007. The 2007 defensive coordinator was Everitt Withers, who now coordinates a North Carolina defense that is one of the best in the country. How can that be? Well, sometimes coaching can't make up for a lack of talent. Withers' post-2007 success is the best evidence that Glen Mason left the talent cupboard bare in Minnesota. The 2006 squad had already begun to decline, and that was before three of their best players on defense were kicked off the team for 2007:

Defense_medium

Good news and bad news. The bad news is that if the offense continues to decline, the Gophers' fortunes will likely follow. The good news is that if the offense can turn things around and the defense continues to improve, then the Gophers could be in a position for a good season in 2010.

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Buck

another set of interesting and informative stats/data/graphs from you. Good work. I have a feeling the Gophers will finish in the bottom 20th percentile in offense this year in all categories(nationally). Take out Decker and it may have been the bottom 10th percentile. I am putting most of this dismal performance on Fisch. I think we had the “horses” to do much better.

by Texas Gopher on Dec 17, 2009 12:12 PM CST reply actions

I think this reverses some next year

the offense in the second year under Fisch should be slightly better. Once the kids have a better grasp of the system, the OL has another year of continuity and Fisch is more comfortable getting his unit in rhythm; they should perform better. It may be only slightly better but they can’t get much worse.

I worry about the defense next year. We lose the bulk of our front 7 and both corners. We have some quality returning and ready to step into a starting role (Edwards, Kirksey, Carter, Cooper), but we will have a lot of question marks and almost no depth. I’m nervous about the D next year.

what you say here can, and will, be used against you

by GopherNation on Dec 17, 2009 12:27 PM CST reply actions

Not as worried about the defense. Linebackers may be upgraded (Lawrence will be missed most, Campbell and Triplett were solid but slow; Tinsley, Cooper, Reeves, Maresh, Singleton back), d-backs return Royston, Theret and Carter and someone else will step in at corner (JUCO or soph/frosh), and d-line returns Edwards, Wilhite, Jacobs, Kirksey, Gregory-Mcghee, Hageman, Garin and others. Not bad options for a front 7.

Buck Bravo

by Buck Bravo on Dec 17, 2009 12:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Interesting numbers

The baseline question that matters: Can Brewster find 8 wins on the 2010 schedule? That means defeating at least one of USC, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, and Wisconsin.

If not, he’ll be gone.

by JG2112 on Dec 17, 2009 12:59 PM CST reply actions

Agreed and no one seems to talk about it

I struggle to find 6 wins next year. I think 4-8 is my prediction as of today.

by rencito on Dec 17, 2009 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

I hope to high-heaven

we see some improvement in the bowl game from the offense. The staff has had a month to prepare. Players have had 15 practice sessions. For starters, I would like to see the guys come out of the huddle and look like they know what they are supposed to do. This was the most disjointed, confused, uncoordinated, messy, slowest team I saw all year. I am just talking from the time the play is called on the sidelines until the ball is snapped. Downright ugly most of the time.

by Texas Gopher on Dec 17, 2009 1:19 PM CST reply actions

You are right

And that led to a lot of pre-snap penalties.

by rencito on Dec 17, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

Who is going to be here for the MN/Texas volleyball thread tonight?

I’m looking forward to the match. 6PM on ESPN2 I believe.

Go Gophers!

by rencito on Dec 17, 2009 1:34 PM CST reply actions

Rencito advice

In the words of the late Jimmmy the Greek, “don’t bet with your heart.” I cannot tell you how many lunches, six-packs, money, etc. I have lost down here. Everytime the Gophers play UT, they come out of the woodwork, and unfortunately, I/we are on the losing end of it most of the time. These bragging Texans will bait you till they have you trapped. Good luck. It is not looking good for the girls at the moment.

by Texas Gopher on Dec 17, 2009 7:32 PM CST reply actions

Yeah...

I definitely would not have made any bets. I knew Texas was very good and would probably beat us. I was hoping we would have at least made it interesting.

I’m surprised that Hawai’i actually took a set from PSU last night. Maybe that means Texas has a chance to knock PSU off their pedestal.

by rencito on Dec 18, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions

Defense

Our defense has improved a lot since 2004-2007, giving up over 400 yard on average is brutal against that incredibly weak schedule. I am amazed that our defense was better this year with no pass rush from our line. We always had to blitz in order to get a pass rush. I actually think our defense will be better and it is strictly based on my (hope) that our defensive ends will be better next year. A lot of good things come from getting pressure on the QB and we have got to get some production from our DE’s next year.

I’m just hoping that Gray can take over the offense next year, I don’t think I have the stomach or will to watch another year of Weber. Somebody wake me up when we finally move out of the Weber era.

by Narby on Dec 18, 2009 2:30 PM CST reply actions

hit snooze for at least another month

Gray will probably start next year…assuming that Brewster is around. Otherwise I may become an NDSU or SDSU fan instead so I can watch a football team actually able to execute somethign resembling a play.

by TheEvilProfessor on Dec 18, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions

Starting Gray next year?

Wow….that would be a surprise….Given Brewster burned a year of Grays eligibility and could have got him some extended playing time this year in real games. Brewster is turning out to be a big joke when it comes to coaching ability.

by DallasGopher on Dec 19, 2009 1:24 PM CST reply actions