Buck Bravo

463 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions passing; 7 forced turnovers on defense.  Those are the robust statistics that Florida Atlantic had in defeating the Gophers 42-39 in 2007.  Will 2008 be a rerun of 2007 or a new episode of Gopher Football?  The Gophers have new defensive coordinator Ted Roof and a revamped defense including three new defensive backs.  The Owls only mustered 292 yards and 10 points versus Texas, and 225 yards with 0 points versus Michigan State.  However, they did have 554 yards and 49 points versus UAB.  Saturday’s game could set the bar as to how much improvement the Gophers have had in a year, and whether they can now be competitive with top tier teams.

Adam Weber has yet to throw an interception in his first three games.  Last year he gave up 4 picks to FAU.  If Weber can maintain his improved passing, the Gophers will have a much better showing this time around.  The Daily Gopher has a great in-depth preview of what to expect during the game.  Some interesting interviews about the Gophers with FAU players including quarterback Rusty Smith are on an FAU blog that can be viewed by clicking here.  My own thoughts are that with an improved defense, an experienced Weber, and home field advantage the Gophers will win this time around.  I’ll predict a score of 38-20.

Interestingly, the gopher is prey for owls in the Midwest ecosystem.  Hopefully Gopher fans won’t have an experience similar to this photo.  The Gophers should remain undefeated and come out of this one looking like this photo.

Good news regarding Sam Maresh.  As I predicted back in July, he is recovering rapidly from cardiovascular surgery and has been cleared to resume training.  Check out this Pioneer Press article for details.

Additionally, let’s be sure to give the recruits visiting this weekend a welcoming reception to the University of Minnesota.  According to Scout.com, visiting recruits will include Frank Crawford, Artice Kellam, Hasan Lipscomb, and Minneapolis’ own Ra’Shede Hageman.

Jack Simmons suddenly became known to Gopher fans when he put on a show at the 2006 Insight Bowl with 7 catches for 134 yards.  After the game, Simmons was predicted by many to follow in the footsteps of tight end Matt Spaeth, who in turn had followed in the footsteps of Ben Utecht.  Both Spaeth and Utecht have gone on to play in the NFL.  

Simmons came to the Gophers out of Carmel High School’s 2004 graduating class in Mudelein, Illinois.  His father, Terry Simmons, lettered for the Gophers while playing football from 1977-1979.  Jack was listed as a three star high school recruit by both Rivals and Scout.  Interestingly, he was listed at 6′6, 210 lbs coming out of high school and is now listed by GopherSports.com at 6′4, 246 lbs.  I believe that he gained 36 pounds since high school, but I doubt that he shrunk two inches.  One of the challenges college football coaches have is figuring out which high school recruits have inflated height, weight, weightlifting, and speed numbers.  Despite possibly being measured in his cleats during high school, Jack Simmons reportedly had offers from Michigan State, Indiana, and Northwestern.

In 2007, Simmons was hampered by a foot injury and consequently his production was limited to 20 receptions for 202 yards.  For 2008, he is reportedly at full strength and ready for a breakout senior season.  Simmons has the size, speed, and agility to become a very good tight end this year.  With Eric Decker and a group of talented young wide receivers looking to improve the receiving options for sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, Simmons should see plenty of passes thrown his way due to increased pressure on opposing pass defenses.  In preseason drills, he has been dominant and pulled in some athletic catches.  If Jack Simmons can stay healthy, he could be an early round pick in the 2009 NFL draft.  Although he may not have the vocal pipes of former Gopher Ben Utecht, he could develop into a similar player and have a successful professional career.