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The Minnesota Golden Gophers sneaked into a bowl game last season with a 6-6 record before losing. The 2013 season will bring a lot of questions on coach Jerry Kill. Kill has dealt with many health problems during his coaching career and has a history with seizures. This is going to be a season where Kill’s health may be tested with a very weak offense that won’t be helped by the graduation of quarterback MarQueis Gray.
Minnesota averaged just 169.5 yards per game through the air, and with a lot of teams going to a more pass-oriented offense, those numbers just don’t cut it. You can’t have your leading passer finish with 873 yards through the air. Kill’s job is obviously getting his sophomore quarterback, Philip Nelson, to become a more consistent player. Nelson completed fewer than 50% of his passes last season while throwing eight touchdown passes. It’s not like Kill can go out there himself to be the quarterback.
It may boil down to the team going with a quarterback like incoming freshman Chris Streveler from suburban Chicago. I have seen Streveler in person, and he is the real deal but has a lot to learn as well. Kill will likely go with Nelson to begin the season on Aug. 29, but who knows how long he will have the job. There is no doubt that this could turn into a revolving door situation at the quarterback position. I really hope Kill has a plan to deal with what is likely to be another stressful season.
Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.
