The Minnesota Footbal program has taken a giant step back in the first year of the Tim Brewster era. The team is at Indiana today and is about to lose to make them 1-5 on the season (0-3 in the Big Ten). The one win, a big victory at home against Miami of Ohio that tooke 3 OTs to achieve. A few years ago this seemed to be one of the rising programs in the Big Ten a team that Sports Illistrated picked to win the Big Ten in 2004. With star players like Marion Babrer and Laurence Maroney, the offense could outscore almost anybody. Glen Mason had this program turned around from the doormat of the Big Ten to a BCS contendet. But Mason couldnt finish out seasons, a strong start was always followed by a bad finish and a second rate bowl bid. So I agree, it was time for a change and Mason had to go.
So now the qusetion is: Did Minnesota hire the right man? Right now the answer would appear to be no. The Gophers have lost at home to non BCS schools and haven't even competed in a big ten game to this point. At least Mason could run through his cupcake nonconfrence schedule 3-0 almost every year. Barring a mircalce finish, the Gophers will finish the season without a bowl appaearance for the first time since 2001. Brewster will have to prove he can recruit and turn this team around before they open the new outdoor stadium in 2009. I certainly hope we wont be watching a losing team in a brand new beutiful stadium.
The Big Ten certainly appears to be down right now, but many teams are on the rise including Indiana, Illinois, Purdue and Michigan State. If the Gophers continue this trend they could find themselves looking up at everyone else.
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