Here are five questions about the Minnesota Golden Gophers that were answered by 247sports.com publisher and Gophers beat writer Ryan Burns.

1.) What can the nation expect from the Gophers in year two of the P.J. Fleck era?

A very young team. I believe 28 of the 61 players listed on Minnesota’s offensive and defensive depth chart are freshmen, and especially on the offensive side of the ball, it gets very young very quick.  The biggest thing year two of the Fleck era will be about is getting these underclassmen meaningful reps and hoping that they learn and grow from it as a majority of Minnesota’s team will be back in 2019. 

2.) What stood out about Zack Annexstad throughout camp that made Fleck comfortable in trusting the offense with a true freshman at quarterback?

What stood out was that Annexstad never wavered throughout fall camp. With young players, and especially freshmen, if they make a mistake or two during practice, they tend to get down on themselves and wallow and it effects their play for the rest of the day. It’s been never too high, and never too low with Annexstad as he can make a few great throws or a few poor throws, and his demeanor remains unchanged. 

All that Minnesota quarterback Zack Annexstad has done the last few years is surpass expectations. It’s been that way for awhile now, and it culminated in Annexstad being named the Gophers starting quarterback for 2018.

He has more arm talent than Morgan and he’s been working his tail off in the film room over the last few months. 

Minnesota also had a choice between a true freshman or a redshirt freshmen, so either way, a freshman was going to start, but I expect Minnesota to take a long look at Annexstad. 

Minnesota’s pass-catching situation the last few years to put it mildly has been anemic. They haven’t had a lot of talented pass-catchers, but this is the most talented group I’ve seen in my years covering the team.

The Gophers return their leading pass-catcher from last season in Tyler Johnson (led Minnesota in receptions, yards and touchdowns), but he finally has help so teams can’t just double team or bracket him. Starting along side of him will be true freshman Rashod Bateman and freshman Demetrius Douglas. Bateman was the crown jewel of the 2018 class picking the Gophers over many SEC offers, including Kirby Smart and Georgia, and he’s been the real deal so far in fall camp. Douglas got a taste of the college game last year in the non-conference before going down early with a season-ending injury, and he’ll start in the slot. 

Chris Autman-Bell figures to work in behind Johnson and Bateman on the outside, and the x-factor here is looking to be converted tight end Seth Green. He’s been dynamic throughout fall camp in the red zone and on third down, as his unique size (6-5 250) and athleticism are going to give teams fits. I don’t think he’ll see a ton of snaps against New Mexico State, but when he’s out there, he’s going to be used. 

 

4.) After last year’s hiatus from the post-season, which position group looks to lead the way for this team as they work to get back into a bowl game?

Linebackers. 

I’d put Minnesota’s starting linebacker group against a lot of Big Ten teams, as this group is talented and experienced. Thomas Barber as a sophomore last season led the team in tackles, flying around as the Gophers Mike linebacker. He’s got great instincts and can come downhill in a hurry. He graded as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten last season. Blake Cashman, when healthy, has been dynamic the last two years for Minnesota. The issue is, he struggles to stay healthy, but he’s healthy the NM State game, and he’s an absolute terror off the edge and in space tackling. Kamal Martin physically looks the best of all three linebackers, and he’s got the athletic tools to be a special player for Minnesota. 

If Minnesota’s getting back to a bowl-game this fall, they need to stop the run, and they’ll need their linebackers to be a big part of that. 

 

5.) Game prediction and reasons why:

I’m having a hard time seeing New Mexico State winning this game.

NM State’s offense looked over-matched at home vs. Wyoming to start the season, that culminated in the starting being benched and a running game that never got going. I don’t foresee a light switch suddenly being switched on, on the road at Minnesota. 

I have respect for the Aggie defense, but not a lot if they’re going to be missing a lot of key players. 

Wilcots is still out on suspension, Javahn Ferguson coming off a 14 tackle game is listed as doubtful, Jassavia Reese had a tackle for loss and a hurry is listed as doubtful, and stud linebacker Leon McQuaker is “limited” with a knee injury, and he’s arguably been the best of the four. 

If McQuaker ends up being out, Minnesota’s young offense should be able to find traction as the game goes on. 

Plus, this is a NM State defense that just was on the field for 40+ minutes five days ago. 

Finally, asking a NM State team to fly across the country on a short week, and expect them to seriously compete with the injuries that are mounting on defense will be a tough ask. 

I expect New Mexico State to cover the 21 point spread, but Minnesota wins this in the second half. 

Minnesota 34. New Mexico State 14