After opening at 2.5 and quickly jumping to 3.5, Maryland remains a four-point favorite vs. Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 26 as head coach Mike Locksley looks to guide the Terps to their first win in Minneapolis since 2017. With the Gophers coming off their bye week and consecutive wins, what should Maryland fans look out for? To learn more, IBG connected with Tony Libert of the Minnesota SI site ahead of Saturday:
IBG: What’s the vibe around PJ Fleck in year eight of his tenure?
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TL: Fleck is one the most polarizing coaches in college football, but he has taken the Gophers program to height that is hasn’t seen in decades. Many fans have accepted that he will have confusing in-game decisions, but he’s found his style of having a run-first pro-style offense that looks like classic Big Ten old school football. He has never recruited better and he continues to produce NFL talent and make the program relevant, but he can make fans wanting more at times. I believe that he will be the head coach at Minnesota as long as he wants.
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IBG: Minnesota’s offense has had to grind it out through the first half of the season. What has been the missing piece on that side of the ball so far, and on the other hand, what or who has been the brightest light on offense?
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TL: The missing piece was the screen game. New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer looked a little overwhelmed in games against North Carolina and Iowa to start the season, but he has found Darius Taylor out of the backfield and Minnesota’s WRs for big gains in the screen game. He was the most prolific passer in FCS last season as he relied on RB Dylan Laube, who is now with the Las Vegas Raiders. The checkdown and screen game is Brosmer’s bread and butter and he’s begun to find it in their two game winning streak.
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IBG: Daniel Jackson has led the Gophers’ skill players so far. What makes him dynamic? Is there an under-the-radar player to watch for?
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TL: Daniel Jackson is a complete receiver. Since P.J. Fleck arrived at Minnesota, the position group has shown to contribute as run blockers and Jackson is no different. He can run the full route tree and he has some of the best hands in the country. He is coming off a career-best 10 catch game against UCLA. He is not the best athlete on the field, but he has a lot of similarities to Rashod Bateman or Tyler Johnson who are now in the NFL. He is just an old school football player. Tight end Jameson Geers continues to be a real factor in this offense and he’s coming off a career-high 4 catches for 34 yards against UCLA. Minnesota relies on the short pass game and Geers seems to always get open as one of Brosmer’s favorite targets
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IBG: The Gophers’ defense, especially against the pass, has been one of the top in the country through their first seven games. What’s the biggest concern for Minnesota to limit Maryland’s passing game?
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TL: UCLA QB Ethan Garbers did some things that raised concern. He has more success than any quarterback this season with nearly 300 yards through the air. The secondary has dealt with some injuries all season. Veteran CB Justin Walley missed the Iowa and Michigan games, but has returned to the lineup in the last two games. while star freshman Kerry Brown is banged up. Minnesota has the depth to overcome some players being out, but it will catch up to them at some point. New DC Corey Hetherman has shown to be aggressive and the big plays are there to be had with this unit.
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IBG: Koi Perich has been one of the best true freshmen in the country so far — what’s made him an impact player in the Gophers’ defense?
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TL: Koi Perich is from a small town in northern Minnesota called Esko. He is arguably the most prized recruit in program history and he’s lived up to expectations so far. He is absolutely electric every time he touches the ball. He did not enroll early and joined the program in June, but he already looks like a superstar. He began his season contributing on special teams as a return man, but he has since broken out at safety. He has four INTs on the season and back-to-back game-sealing picks. He has a knack for the ball and he’s the definition of a playmaker.
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IBG: Score prediction for Saturday:
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TL: Score: Minnesota 31 Maryland 28. It seems like the Terrapins found something last week against USC, but the bye week will give the Gophers a chance to get healthy in the secondary, which is something that they will need against the No. 1 passing attack in the Big Ten. I think Darius Taylor has a monster day on the ground and Minnesota controls the ball for much of this game and holds off a late Terrapin comeback
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