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With the running game embarrassing Michigan, the Gophers appeared on their way to a program-defining win and 7-0 start. But the defense failed to stop John Navarre and the Wolverine passing game and the great win turned into a 38-35 defeat so bitter that the team couldn't snap out of it until it was too late the following week against an inferior Michigan State team. It stands to reason that if the defense could've stopped Michigan just once and gotten the win, the momentum would've been enough to carry the Gophers to a 10-0 start and the Big Ten title.
If you liked last year's team, you'll enjoy the sequel as the running game should be among the best in America with Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney working behind a veteran offensive line. The defense won't be strong enough to shut anyone down, but will turn out to be fine. If QB Bryan Cupito comes through replacing Asad Abdul-Khaliq and the safeties can step in and replace Justin Isom and Eli Ward, this might finally be the Big Ten championship season that's been just out of the program's grasp.
The Schedule: What's this? An actual living, breathing non-conference game? Toledo and at Colorado State are great warm-ups for the Big Ten season, while two conference home dates could mean the Gophers are 5-0 before facing Michigan and Michigan State on the road. There's no Ohio State or Purdue, and Iowa has to come to the Dome.
Best Offensive Player: Junior RB Marion Barber III. A near disaster in the spring game only turned out to be a sprained knee, and now Barber can focus on a run for All-America honors and a sleeper Heisman campaign if Laurence Maroney doesn't kill his overall stats.
Best Defensive Player: Senior DE Darrell Reid. The 280-pound end moves over from tackle where he should be a top producing pass rusher along with his duties as the vocal and emotional leader of the defense.
Key players to a successful season: The defense isn't full of stars, but it should be good enough to win games with if the safeties come through. The defense relies on the defensive backs to make big plays against the run, so new starters Justin Fraley and John Pawielski need to come up big.
The season will be a success if ... Minnesota wins the Big Ten title. Running the ball won't be a problem and the rest of the offense should rock if QB Bryan Cupito is merely competent. The schedule isn't all that bad and the rest of the league is average, so this needs to be the season Glen Mason takes his program to the next level.
Key game: Oct. 16 vs. Michigan State. With a date in Ann Arbor the week before playing the Spartans, the MSU game could be key in preventing a slide and staying in the Big Ten title race. A loss could put an end to all hopes with dates with Wisconsin and Iowa left.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Rushing touchdowns: Minnesota 46 - Opponents 18
- Penalties: Minnesota 75 for 658 yards - Opponents 59 for 423
- First quarter scoring: Minnesota 105 - Opponents 44
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