For seven of their eight games this season, Minnesota has started a 4-2-5 nickel defense. However, against Iowa, defensive coordinator Danny Collins switched to a 4-3 defense to start the game.
That seems to have effectively shut down the Hawkeye run game. The Gophers held Iowa to just 90 rushing yards, which is about half of Iowa’s season average of 174.3 rushing yards per game.
Let’s look at the Gophers’ defensive personnel.
Defensive Line
Regardless of whether the Gophers opt for a nickel or a 4-3, Minnesota will start four guys up front.
The defensive tackles will be senior Theorin Randle and senior Naquan Crowder. Randle has made 17 tackles including 2.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. He also has a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries. Crowder has made 15 tackles including 2.5 TFLs and half a sack. Additionally, he has one pass breakup.
On the outside, the Gophers will start fifth-year Anthony Smith and senior TJ Bush, Jr. Smith has made 17 tackles with 3.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. He also has two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. Meanwhile, Bush is a guy who can cause havoc. He’s made 30 tackles, and he leads the team in both TFLs with seven and sacks with five.
Linebackers
The Gophers will start a pair of fifth-year linebackers. Maverick Baranowski leads the team in tackles with 62 including 3.5 TFLs and a sack. Baranowski also has an interception and two QB hurries as well as a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Joey Gerlach is fourth on the team in tackles with 41 including three TFLs and a sack. Gerlach has also intercepted a pass, broken up three more, hurried an opposing quarterback once, forced three fumbles and recovered one.
If Minnesota plays a third linebacker, it will be senior Matt Kingsbury. He’s made 19 tackles including half a TFL. Kingsbury also has an interception, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry.
Secondary
The starting safeties will be senior Kerry Brown and sophomore Zack Harden. These guys have played a big role for the Gopher defense. Brown is second on the team in tackles with 47 including two TFLs. He also has three pass breakups. Harden is third in tackles with 45 including three TFLs and a sack. He has also picked off a pass, broken up three more, hurried the QB three times and forced a fumble.
At the corners, look for senior John Nestor and Aydan West to start. Nestor is fifth in tackles with 35 including five TFLs. He also has an interception, two pass breakups, two QB hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Meanwhile, West has made 31 tackles. While he’s just a sophomore, he leads the team with six pass breakups, and he has a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.
When Minnesota goes into a nickel, look for it to be fifth-year Aidan Gousby. He’s made 13 tackles, and he has a pass breakup and a forced fumble.
Analysis
The Bruins will need to find a way to move the ball while I expect the Gophers to focus on trying to stop the run. That could open things up for the passing game which has been inconsistent all season, even though it has shown some very positive signs under Ty Dieffenbach.
I’m looking for Dean Kennedy to use the passing game to open up things on the ground as a way of keeping the Gopher defense off balance, but ultimately, this game will come down to winning in the trenches. If UCLA can run the ball effectively, they will head home with another win.
Go Bruins!!!
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