In 2002, Minnesota started 7-1 and then lost four in a row.

In 2003, Minnesota was 6-0 and then lost at home to Michigan and Michigan State.

In 2004, Minnesota was 5-0 and then lost on the road to Michigan and Michigan ... as well as five of its last six in the regular season.

The fast starts can be attributed in part to a soft non-conference schedule (although last year's schedule included MAC toughie Toledo and a road game at normally stout Colorado State). Whatever the case, the Gophers have gone 14-0 against non-conference foes in the past three seasons, including wins over Arkansas, Oregon and Alabama in bowl games.

This season should see another good start, as Minnesota begins against Tulsa, Colorado State and Florida Atlantic.

But the roof could cave in again once conference play begins -- and this time it could happen against a team other than Michigan, which has rallied late in each of the past two seasons to beat the Gophers.

Minnesota starts this season against Purdue, and then must travel to Penn State and Michigan. There is also a home game against Ohio State and a season-finale at Iowa. The Gophers need to start beating some upper-division conference teams to turn those mid-level bowl appearances into something on New Year's Day.

Maroney was named to the College Football News 2005 Heisman watch list. E ran for 1,348 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

-- Jakari Wallace blocked a punt in the Gophers' spring game and Dominique Barber picked it up and ran 27 yards for a touchdown. Wallace has excellent instincts and could be a special teams impact player this season.

2006 DRAFT PROSPECTS: WR Jared Ellerson -- He has proven to be a big-play performer in the past. With QB Bryan Cupito significantly more experienced heading into his junior year, Ellerson could put up big numbers.

C Greg Eslinger -- One of the finest centers in the conference, Eslinger should contend for All-America honors.

RB Laurence Maroney -- While he is just a junior, Maroney saw his backfield mate Marion Barber III opt out before his senior year and then get drafted in the fourth round by Dallas. Most scouts believe Maroney is the better prospect with a much better chance of being drafted on the first day.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have to be a better defense on third-and-long, obvious passing situations. That was our downfall last year. We did a pretty good job getting offenses behind the eight ball, and then let them out of the box, and we have to be better in that area." -- Glen Mason on one of his key goals for the Minnesota defense.

While it would seem that this unit lost some significant explosiveness with the loss of Marion Barber III to the NFL, don't worry about a team that had the No. 5 running game in the country.

Laurence Maroney decided to stay and he is even quicker than Barber. He has rushed for more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons and without his outstanding running mate he could approach 2,000 yards this season if he can stay healthy. Head coach Glen Mason should have a decent backup for him in Amir Pinnix, who rushed for more than 100 yards in the Gophers' spring game.

QB Bryan Cupito was untested at this time last year. He was decent in his first year under center and should be poised for a solid season. Cupito completed 123-of-261 passes for 2,097 yards with an impressive 14-7 TD-interception ratio.

WR Ernie Wheelwright made a big impression last year with his speed and explosiveness. He caught 30-654-7 a year ago and is looking for double figures in his TD total.

WR Jared Ellerson has the size and speed to make big plays. Ellerson caught 37 passes a year ago and he should be able to catch at least 50 this year since Cupito should be better. Jakari Wallace flashes quickness and averaged 17 yards per catch a year ago.

TE Matt Spaeth caught 24-298-4 a year ago and can eat up ground in the red zone with his wide body. He also does a very solid job as a run blocker.

The offensive line is anchored by C Greg Eslinger, who is an All-America candidate. Eslinger has great understanding of the position and the athleticism and confidence to be a dominant player.

DEFENSE: Since the Gophers appear to have a potentially dominant offense -- at least on paper -- the team's ultimate success will likely be determined by the defense. This has been the case each of the last two years and the team has had mixed results.

While the Gophers seem to start off the season well against non-conference opponents, they struggle against the better teams in the Big Ten. This would suggest mediocrity in the defensive personnel.

It could be more of the same this year. Mason was not overly impressed by his team's defensive performance in Minnesota's spring game. After looking good throughout the spring, the defense gave up eight runs of 15 yards or more in the team's final scrimmage.

"In any sport or any business, you tend to have knee-jerk reactions," Mason said. "You're only as good as your last outing. But I guess I would rather have a good spring defensively [in practice] and maybe a spring game that left something to be desired than the other way."

The defensive line is led by DTS Mark Losli and Anthony Montgomery. Both are solid run stuffers who need to get some support from DEs Keith Lipka and Eric Clark. Montgomery had 48 tackles and 9 tackles for loss a year ago, while Losli had 30 tackles and 4.5 behind the line of scrimmage.

LB Kyle McKenzie returns after leading the team with 79 tackles a year ago. McKenzie has good size and strength (6-1 and 235) and the talent to shed blockers and make plays. OLBs John Shevlin and Mario Reese could be assets if they can improve their consistency.

In the secondary, junior Trumaine Banks plays with speed and aggressiveness. If he can do a better job handling double moves, the Gophers should improve their pass defense. FS John Pawlieski had 70 tackles and 7 more behind the line and is a solid hitter.

With Rhys Lloyd having moved on, freshman Jason Giannini has the inside track on the PK job. He made two 40-plus yard field goals in Minnesota's spring game.