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VOLUME 25, ISSUE 6 97 usually more pessimistic than my experience with the previous staff at Michigan State, but these guys feel like they have the makings of a great defensive line." That could help MSU match last season's production, when it was eighth in the FBS in total defense, giving up 315.8 yards per game, eighth in sacks (averaging 3.23 per game) and 22nd in scoring (21.5). The Spartans, though, will have to replace the production lost by the de- partures of middle linebacker Taiwan Jones and DBs Trae Waynes and Kur- tis Drummond. They had key offensive departures, as well, namely wide receiver Tony Lippett and running back Jeremy Langford. It could be a committee in the backfield — sophomore Gerald Holmes and redshirt freshman Madre London split No. 1 reps in the spring. But four-star rookie Larry Scott, who had more than 30 offers, including from Alabama, could still factor in. Senior Macgarrett Kings could be the top receiving target in the fall, but Aaron Burbridge will be a good option as well, assuming he returns from the injury that kept him sidelined during the spring. It'll be up to quarterback Connor Cook to distribute. The senior had 3,214 yards, 24 TDs and eight in- terceptions last season, but many thought he could have been even bet- ter. "I think what he needs to do is just be a better game manager, just from the aspect that he needs to under- stand when to take risks and when not to," Konyndyk said. "He's kind of frustrating from the standpoint that he has all the ability in the world." MSU will have to replace punter Mike Sadler, a concern heading to training camp. It might be the Spar- tans' biggest question mark, a sign of where they stand headed to 2015. "In a sense, anything other than a playoff bid would probably be a disap- pointment," Konyndyk said. — Kyle Charters A fter back-to-back eight-win seasons, Minnesota is look- ing to take another step for- ward. To do so, Jerry Kill's Golden Go- phers will rely heavily on a defense that could be one of the best in the Big Ten West. Heavily, because Minnesota's offense, which was only mediocre last season, could be pressed to match that this season. It has to try to find replacements for its two biggest playmakers: NFL-bound running back David Cobb and tight end Maxx Williams. "You look at the offense and how they struggled last year," said Zach Johnson, who covers Minnesota for GopherIllustrated.com, the Rivals. com site, "and then you look at the fact that the two best players from a struggling offense are gone. That's 8/28 EASTERN ILLINOIS . . W, 42-20 9/6 MIDDLE TENNESSEE W, 35-24 9/13 at TCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . L, 7-30 9/20 SAN JOSE STATE . . . . . W, 24-7 9/27 at Michigan . . . . . . . . W, 30-14 10/11 NORTHWESTERN. . . . W, 24-17 10/18 PURDUE . . . . . . . . . . . W, 39-38 10/25 at Illinois . . . . . . . . . . L, 24-28 11/8 IOWA . . . . . . . . . . . . . W, 51-14 11/15 OHIO STATE . . . . . . . . L, 24-31 11/22 at Nebraska . . . . . . . . W, 28-24 11/29 at Wisconsin . . . . . . . L, 24-34 1/1 MISSOURI . . . . . . . . . L, 17-33 Who's in Charge? COACH JERRY KILL Record at Minnesota: 25-26 (four seasons) Record vs. Purdue: 3-1 (Northern Illinois and Minnesota) Minnesota Senior Theiren Cockran is the biggest name on a veteran defensive line, but he'll be looking to get back toward 2013 form (7.5 sacks) after having only four last season. Minnesota Golden Gophers 2015 OPPONENT PRE VIE W O C T. 10 • RO S S - A D E S TA D I U M, W E S T L A FAYE T T E • T I M E: T BA • T V: T BA 9/3 TCU 9/12 at Colorado State 9/19 KENT STATE 9/26 OHIO 10/3 at Northwestern 10/10 at Purdue 10/17 NEBRASKA 10/31 MICHIGAN 11/7 at Ohio State 11/14 at Iowa 11/21 ILLINOIS 11/28 WISCONSIN 2014 Results (8-5) 2015 Schedule OF NOTE: Minnesota's Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl appearance was its first January postseason appearance since the 1961-62 season.