Minnesota’s offense only mustered 105 yards passing and 83 yards rushing versus a Michigan defense that is statistically in the bottom three of the Big Ten for points allowed, total yards per game, and passing yards allowed.  What happened?  The spread offense relies on multiple offensive threats “spread” across the field in order to isolate and expose the weaknesses of the defense.  Injuries to Eric Decker and the offensive line exposed the Gophers’ greatest weaknesses: inexperience and a lack of depth.  Effectively, a few injuries spread out the Gopher offense too thin.

Eric Decker is the catalyst for the Minnesota offense.  Throughout the year, opposing defenses have had their best defensive back on him along with another defender in position for double team coverage.  Decker still put up huge numbers.  In doing so, he forced opposing defenses to assign less capable defenders to other Gopher receivers.  The result?  A potent passing attack.  With Decker injured, the game plan changed for opposing defenses. 

The Gophers do have talented receivers in addition to Eric Decker.  Tight end Jack Simmons is an NFL prospect.  However, as a tight end he doesn’t offer the blazing wide receiver speed that the spread offense requires.  Tight ends in the spread will usually benefit from having wide receivers that distract the defense and allow them to get open.  Brandon Green, Da’Jon McKnight, Xzavian Brandon, and Brodrick Smith (the freshmen four wide receivers)have the potential to develop into solid players.  All of them are true freshmen and will need time to learn the finesse aspects of Division I route running.  Inexperience does not mean lack of talent.  David Pittman has the potential to be a solid receiving option, but has been dealing with an injury most of the year.

The Minnesota offensive line has suffered several injuries throughout the year.  Against Michigan, the O-line had two freshmen and a sophomore up against an experienced defensive line.  Give these young linemen another year or two of maturity and weight training, and perhaps Adam Weber will have more time in the pocket while Deleon Eskridge has wider running lanes.

The bottom line is that an injury to Eric Decker and a few injuries to the offensive line exposed Minnesota’s inexperience and lack of depth.  Minnesota’s strong start to the season was dependent upon a starting lineup that in many places was one-deep.  Fortunately, there are several young players on the team who should develop into solid players and give the program depth in the coming years.  Next year the offensive line will have another year of experience and strength training, Eric Decker plans to return, the freshmen four wide receivers will be sophomores, David Pittman will still be here, and the team will be joined by both five star junior college receiver Hayo Carpenter and the talented Minneapolis tight end Ra’Shede Hageman. 

Despite a 7-3 record, a bowl-eligible season, a new stadium in 2009, and a coach of the year candidate, Minnesota still has plenty of room for talented recruits who are looking to contribute.