Minnesota Football Preview: Predicting the Minnesota Gopher Stat Leaders

As long as all the "experts" are throwing things to the wall and seeing if they'll stick prior to the season, I thought I'd give it a shot too. 

I realize I'm not quite as competent as Pete Fiutak of College Football News , but I'll take a chance anyway.

If you aren't familiar with the work of Mr. Fiutak, you're in luck. I'd never heard of him before I stumbled across his 2010 Gophers Football preview. 

Pete lost all credibility with me when he referred to TCF Bank Stadium as a "ballpark." It shouldn't have surprised me when Fiutak submitted a list of the Gophers top 10 best players and included a freshman who will be redshirted and a transfer who didn't qualify academically.

That's just lazy journalism. We all make mistakes. I'm sure every column I've written is full of them. Those are forgivable. 

What Mr. Fiutak did when he wrote about Notre Dame is not. 

Pete's lazy journalism caught up with him again when he wrote Notre Dame's preview and touted incoming freshman Matt James as a likely candidate for immediate playing time.

It's not outrageous to think an incoming freshman might challenge for playing time. It is outrageous to think a young man whose life tragically ended months earlier in a tragic fall during Spring Break would be able to contribute. http://www.rakesofmallow.com/2010/7/15/1571202/pete-fiutak-is-incapable-of.

I hate to offer any viewpoints that might contradict the opinions of "expert" Pete Fiutak, but I'll give it my best shot.

OFFENSIVE MVP—Adam Weber 

Weber won't be the Gophers' best player, but he will be their most important one. The offensive line will perform markedly better than it did last season and the Gophers offense under Jeff Horton will regain some stability. 

MarQueis Gray will steal a bit of Weber's passing numbers, but Weber will establish himself as the unquestioned leader of the team.

RUSHING LEADER—Duane Bennett 

DeLeon Eskridge will get a fair amount of carries, but Bennett will be the Gophers primary back. Two seasons removed from major knee surgery, Bennett will regain his form and lead the Gophers with nearly 800 yards rushing.

RECEIVING LEADER—Da'Jon McKnight

McKnight started to emerge as a player following Eric Decker's injury last season and the junior will continue his progression and development in becoming the Gophers best wide receiver.

DEFENSIVE MVP—Keanon Cooper 

I've made no bones about my belief that Cooper has a chance to be a special player for the Gophers. Cooper will shine on a defense full of promise and his prowess as a playmaker will earn him the Defensive MVP honor.

LEADING TACKLER—Kim Royston  

All reports show that Kim is progressing nicely after suffering a broken leg this offseason and should be ready to go when the season gets underway at Middle Tennessee State.

MOST INTERCEPTIONS—Michael Carter

Even though last year's leader in interceptions will be back in safety Kyle Theret, it will be Carter who frustrates opposing quarterbacks the most this season. 

Carter will be tested early by opposing offenses, but they'll start looking to the other side of the field sooner rather than later.

SACK LEADER—D.L. Wilhite

No Gopher recorded more than three sacks last season, so that's an area where the team needs to greatly improve. 

Last season's co-leader, D.L. Wilhite returns and will lead the team again with seven sacks. Redshirt freshman Ra'Shede Hageman will surprise many by tallying 5.5 sacks to finish second.

TEAM MVP—Troy Stoudemire 

This type of prediction is usually reserved for in-depth discussions following the consumption of massive quantities of Grain Belt Nordeast, but Stoudemire will lead the Gophers in touchdowns with nine total scores: three on kick returns, five receiving touchdowns and one on a 50-plus yard reverse. 

Take it to the bank.