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Karl H -> RE: Gopher Football (8/28/2012 4:26:03 PM)
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I’m far from an expert on UNLV but here is my best effort at a quick scouting report…
QB - RFR Sherry has beaten out returning starter Herring for this spot. Sherry was pretty big recruit by UNLV standards and looks to have a good future. He’s making his first college start though. I’ll take Gray. Advantage MN.
RB - Cornett (671) is their speed guy, Bradford (615) is the power & Randle (489) is capable change of pace back at #3. RB is probably UNLV’s best offensive position. Our guys may well end up being at least as good, but they’ll have to prove it first. I'll give UNLV a slight edge.
WR - UNLV lost their top 2 players here and no other returning WR has over 4 catches. MN is rather green at this position also. However, we have several players with starts under their belt and they may well get pushed aside by some newcomers. Advantage MN.
TE - UNLV appears to have lost their top 2 guys from last year and are looking to start a FR. I’ll take Rabe and Goodger. Advantage MN.
OL - UNLV returns all 5 starters from a rather mediocre group which will include 3 Sophs. Team captain Rodgers goes just 6-2 265 at RT. The Gophers will technically start just 2 guys from last year. That’s very misleading however as we will be every bit as good as last year IMO. The numbers favor UNLV but I'll call it a push.
DE - UNLV lost almost all of its production here. Team captain Brence did very, very little in 12 games last year. The other guys appear to be transfers or redshirt players. The Gophers return their top 4 guys + Cochran. Advantage MN.
DT - UNLV returns 3 guys who played a lot last year. They combined for over 60 tackles and 3.5 sacks. They appear to be mediocre at best in talent, size, and production. UNLV certainly doesn't have a player like Optimus Prime. Other than him, the Gophers are will primarily use new players. I'll call it a push.
LB – UNLV appears to play with 2 ILB’s and one OLB who tries to do it all (pass rush, coverage, etc). Inside guys Lotulelei (60) and Maka (54) plus good depth make LB the strongest area of their defense. At the outside spot, Jackson (39) and Tim Hasson (46) are returning. MN also returns 2 of 3 starters and also has some depth. Another push.
CB – Hodge (53 tackles and 0 INT’s) returns to one corner and the other side should be Penny and/or Wilson. Neither did much last year. MN may start a couple of Seniors. Edge to MN.
S - Tajh Hasson with just 17 tackles is last years only returning player. Keys, Vea and Crawford are either Freshmen or transfers. MN has no returning starters either, but Vereen has moved over from CB with many career starts under his belt. Slight edge to MN.
Specialists – Kicker Kohorst scored 51 points, missing 5 FG’s but making every PAT. Lansford punted for an average of 41.2. They graduated both their main KOR and PR players. Ummm….call it even??
Add it up and my amateur analysis says take the Gophers and the 8.5 points. Minnesota 36, UNLV 23.
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