Minnesota 2015 Football Season Preview Covering Both College And NFL MN Teams

In the Gopher State, two football teams stand above all the rest in representing the state to a national audience, with both sharing the same stadium in 2015 for the second and final year. The Golden Gophers and Vikings are these teams, and the word potential can be heard in both training camps. While neither figure to contend for a title, both are at least moving forward, which could portend well for the future and at least make Minnesota sports betting a tad more exciting.

Minnesota Golden Gophers Football 2015

Ready to start his fifth season, head coach Jerry Kill’s team took great strides last year, narrowly missing a berth in the 2014 Big Ten title game. That improvement resulted in Kill winning conference Coach of the Year honors.

For the 2015 college football season, Kill has to find a viable quarterback, though returnee Mitch Leidner appears to be that person. That’s not a good sign, since the team’s top two offensive players from 2014 are gone and that team ranked near the bottom nationally in offense. Rodrick Williams and Rodney Smith will attempt to get the running game going, while a quartet of redshirt freshmen will seek to be the go-to player at wide receiver.

The offensive line has lost a pair of award-winning linemen, but there should be enough depth available to keep Leidner upright, while opening up holes for the backs. On defense, the pass rush needs an upgrade after hovering in the lower portion of Big Ten squads. One defensive end should be Hank Ekpe, whose health issues last year limited his effectiveness, while the other side could be Theiren Cockran, whose play slipped in 2014.

While the linebacking unit needs even more of a talent surge, the defensive backfield is a bright spot, with cornerbacks Eric Murray and Briean Boddy-Calhoun making for a dynamic duo. What might be is probably the best way to look at the 2015 football season for the Minnesota Gophers, since improvement could put them in that conference title tilt. That could serve as a springboard for greater things ahead.

Minnesota Vikings Football Preview 2015

Despite a losing record in 2014, the 2015 football season has some hope for head coach Mike Zimmer and his Vikings, given the development of some of the team’s younger players.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater gave hints in 2014 that he could be the team’s signal caller for years to come. While he had the usual ups and downs of a rookie campaign, his ability to grow within offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s offense was a positive sign for the future.

Bridgewater will be aided by the return of Adrian Peterson, who missed most of last year due to off-the-field issues. Peterson has gotten past his problems with team management and appears to be motivated to challenge, if not top, the 2,000-yard barrier he narrowly missed in 2012. Peterson’s absence gave Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata a chance to get some valuable reps, so there will be depth available to give Peterson a break.

Bridgewater’s options at wide receiver include free agent pickup Mike Wallace and second-year man Cordarrelle Patterson. Wallace had problems fitting in to Miami’s offense, while Patterson struggled during his rookie campaign. If both mesh, the unit could be a very good one, especially if Kyle Rudolph stays healthy at tight end.

The Minnesota Vikings offensive line is full of question marks and potential, which could mean the difference between success and disaster. Matt Kalil’s pass protection has been shaky at one tackle spot, but Phil Loadholt’s consistency on the other side helps. Meanwhile Brandon Fusco appears to be moving over to left guard to make room for rookie T.J. Clemmings.

The Viking defensive line is another area laden with potential, with the ends providing much of the highlights. Everson Griffen and Brian Robison combined for 16.5 sacks, but could use some support. Meanwhile, Sharrif Floyd is one tackle whose performance could serve as a litmus test for the entire line.

Linebacker has two UCLA linebackers looking to make their mark. The top pick in 2014, Anthony Barr could emerge, while rookie Eric Kendricks will be asked to handle the middle linebacker role. Finally, the secondary could have a pair of former first rounders at cornerback in 2013 selection Xavier Rhodes and rookie Trae Waynes. Safety will have an experienced hand in Harrison Smith. Overtaking the Packers may be too much to ask for the 2015 football season, but if everything clocks, the Vikings might contend for a wild card spot.