Behind Enemy Lines: Minnesota Edition

Maryland will look to move to 5-2 (1-2) on the season when they travel to Minnesota this weekend to take on the Gophers. Maryland notched their first Big Ten win of the 2020 season after storming back from a 17-point deficit to pull off the 45-44 overtime win in College Park, pulling off their third win in four tries against the Gophers. But what can Maryland fans expect in the latest matchup against Minnesota? To learn more about the Terps’ next opponent, Inside the Black and Gold connected with Daniel House of Gophers Guru to gain an additional perspective.

IBG: Both teams have suffered key injuries through the first half of the season, but the Gophers turned to RB Bryce Williams for the bulk of the carries in Saturday's win over Nebraska. Interested to hear your thoughts on Williams' impact and how the Gophers' offense has adjusted to the injuries in the backfield.

The depth of the Gophers’ running back room has certainly been tested this year. Minnesota lost both Mohamed Ibrahim and Trey Potts to season-ending injuries. However, other players are stepping up. Running backs coach Kenni Burns has done an outstanding job of developing talent and creating depth in that room.

Bryce Williams has played in quite a few big games for the Gophers over the past four years. Williams is an agile back who absorbs contact and falls forward for additional yardage. He is complemented by redshirt freshman Ky Thomas, a physical running back who thrives between the tackles. Thomas breaks tackles and frequently picks up yards after contact.

Minnesota is also receiving contributions from true freshman Bucky Irving, a former four-star recruit from Illinois. Irving is an explosive runner with excellent contact balance and vision. He has a ton of talent but is learning on the fly through game reps.

With Ibrahim and Potts out, the Gophers are taking a running back by committee approach. The snap share between this trio will likely vary each week based upon matchups and the previous week’s carry distribution. Minnesota also scaled back its early-down tendencies last week and used the quick passing and screen game as an extension of the rushing attack. The Gophers will likely do that even more to limit the overall amount of hits each running back is taking on a weekly basis. Minnesota simply can’t afford any more injuries at the position right now.

BG: QB Tanner Morgan has looked impressive at times through the season and having WR Chris Autman-Bell has made matters easier. But I've noticed how well Minnesota's offensive line has played this season to protect Morgan. With towering linemen upfront, what's clicking for the Gophers in the trenches?

The Gophers’ offensive line is very experienced, mobile and physical. Minnesota’s coaching staff has been capitalizing upon that by using six-plus OL packages at a high frequency. By doing that, the coaches are creating an extra gap and keeping the pocket clean for quarterback Tanner Morgan. Not only that, but Minnesota is known for creating numbers advantages through unbalanced sets. The group is led by center John Michael Schmitz, a very athletic, quick and skilled interior lineman. Minnesota frequently utilizes outside zone and Schmitz thrives while reaching opposing defensive tackles. Against Maryland, I’m expecting the Gophers to blend between inside/outside zone, while dashing in some gap schemes occasionally.

Minnesota really benefited from the quick passing game (RPO and play-action) last week because it opened up the box a little bit. As a result, the Gophers achieved more balance on early downs, which helped Morgan and the passing game find a rhythm. In fact, one could argue that Minnesota put together its best offensive performance during the first half of last week’s game against Nebraska. The play-calling was balanced, the quick passing game was grooving and the team was running into lighter boxes as the half progressed. Minnesota hit an offensive rut over the final 30 minutes but managed to finish the game by winning at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

So far, Minnesota has not put together a complete offensive performance this season. Everyone is waiting to see what happens when the offense executes at a high level for a full 60 minutes.

IBG: Gophers' Boye Mafe has been among the most disruptive defensive linemen in the Big Ten so far this season and there's experience alongside him. What is Minnesota doing that's helped the Gophers generate pressure?

The defensive line is the strength of Minnesota’s defense. Everyone is playing in sync from inside-out. The Gophers’ defensive tackles are getting an interior push, which is limiting escape lanes and helping the edge rushers. Boye Mafe, Thomas Rush and Esezi Otomewo have been getting better matchups because the interior of Minnesota’s defensive line has been performing at such a high level.

Last week, Nebraska was rotating its double teams between DeAngelo Carter and Clemson transfer Nyles Pinckney. That attention creates 1-on-1 situations for players like Boye Mafe. Mafe is a very athletic pass rusher who keeps improving his overall technique. He draws a lot of attention from opposing coordinators because of his disruptive playing style. The other name to keep an eye on along Minnesota’s defensive line? Thomas Rush. He rotates onto the field in pass-rushing situations and is used very creatively within the Gophers’ scheme. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi does a great job of mixing up looks on third down. If Maryland wants to win this game, early-down efficiency will be very important. Minnesota is at its best when opponents are behind the sticks.

In general, the Gophers’ defense is in sync across all three levels. The coverage and pass rush units are really feeding off of each other. Against the Terps, I would expect Minnesota will keep everything in front of them by playing quite a bit of zone coverage and rushing with four, especially on early downs.

IBG: Whether offense or defense, who is the biggest X-factor in order to pull out a win for Minnesota?

The Gophers must play a complementary game in all three phases.

I’m a fan of Maryland’s offensive scheme. The layered, up-tempo blend of RPOs and play-action passing make the Terps difficult to defend. I know not having Dontay Demus Jr. and Jeshaun Jones certainly changes things a bit, but I’ve noticed how much Maryland uses the tight ends and running backs in the passing game. That usage will probably expand. I particularly like the type of mismatches that tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo can create in the passing game.

Minnesota must tackle well and limit explosive plays/yards after the catch opportunities. The Gophers have been pretty good in this area. I also think early-down defense is key. If Minnesota is going to win this game, it must get Taulia Tagovailoa behind the sticks and force him into mistakes. The Terps are at their best when they are on schedule and in rhythm. On Saturday, the Gophers must disrupt that.

IBG: Prediction and score for this weekend

I think Minnesota wins this game, 27-17. The Gophers’ defense will get Maryland behind the sticks and create two takeaways. On the other side, Minnesota’s blend of RPO and play-action will open up the vertical passing game and rushing attack. I know Maryland might be getting Kenny Bennett and Jakorian Bennett back from hamstring injuries (that’s big with a talented front seven player like Durell Nchami out now), but it might take some time for them to get back in the swing of things. I think the Gophers will test both of them by mixing intermediate and vertical passing concepts throughout the day. I’ll be explaining some of the things that Minnesota may do schematically over on GophersGuru.com.

When healthy, the Maryland secondary is athletic and aggressive, so the Gophers will face a big challenge this week.

Behind Enemy Lines: Minnesota Edition

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