College semesters are just beginning, but we're on a different timetable. We're handing out our final grades for the 2014 performances by every Big Ten team in various categories all this week.
Up next is Minnesota (and make sure your parents sign this report card, Gophers):
Offense: B-minus
This is one of those beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder situations. Few teams in the country pass the ball less often and with as little explosiveness as the Gophers, whose 141 yards per game through the air ranked 119th in the FBS (ahead of only two teams -- Indiana and Boston College -- that didn't run an option offense). Yet Minnesota still managed to score a highly respectable 28.4 points per game thanks to a powerful running attack led by David Cobb. Mitch Leidner could be spotty as a passer, but provided an extra rushing threat at quarterback, and tight end Maxx Williams was one of the very best in the nation at his position. The offense played to its strengths and managed to both wear down opponents and shorten games. It wasn't always pretty, but it was usually effective as the Gophers scored at least 24 points in all but one Big Ten game.
Defense: B
The Gophers were about league-average in points and yards allowed, but they had a defense that was rarely out of position and that made teams work to move the ball down the field. They also excelled at creating turnovers, as their 30 takeaways tied for 11th nationally and ranked behind only Michigan State in the Big Ten. The secondary once again was a major strength, led by cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun and his five interceptions. Because of its physical style, this was not a defense many teams looked forward to playing.
Special teams: A-minus
Minnesota's winning formula depended in part on field position, and outstanding special teams play went a long way toward making it work. Peter Mortell was the Big Ten punter of the year, and the Gophers were among the league's best on kickoff returns and coverage. The one major drawback was field goal kicking, as Ryan Santoso went 12-of-18 and missed five of his eight attempts beyond 40 yards.
Coaching: A
Jerry Kill was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Though that probably should have gone to Urban Meyer (and no doubt would have had the voting taken place after the postseason), Kill and his staff were very deserving of recognition for the job they have done maximizing their talent. Other Big Ten coaches raved about how fundamentally sound and prepared the Gophers were, and the team exceeded everybody's expectations by going into the final weekend with a chance to win the Big Ten West Division and finishing the regular season ranked in the Top 25.
Overall: A-minus
Minnesota went 8-4 in the regular season, with three of those losses coming to eventual champion Ohio State (by seven points), on the road to a TCU team that was no worse than one of the three best teams in the country, and at Camp Randall Stadium against Wisconsin. The Gophers also hammered Michigan and Iowa, and beat Nebraska on the road. Their only bad loss was a head-scratcher at Illinois. It was a tremendous regular season that culminated with the program's first New Year's Day bowl appearance since the JFK administration. Minnesota couldn't quite close the deal, though, as it blew a 14-point first-half lead at Wisconsin with a Big Ten title game appearance at stake, and it collapsed in the second half versus a very beatable Missouri team in the Buffalo Wild Wing Citrus Bowl. Winning a postseason game remains on the to-do list for Kill and his program. But all in all, there was very little to complain about in the 2014 campaign.