Gophers' Dunbar knows Wildcats' offense well

Like he does every Sunday, Mike Dunbar locked himself in his Minneapolis bunker six days ago and began to study film of an upcoming defense.

But when familiar faces appeared on the screen, Dunbar, the offensive coordinator at Minnesota, simply couldn't resist.

There was C.J. Bacher, the quarterback Dunbar recruited to Northwestern when he served as Wildcats offensive coordinator.

There was Garrick McGee, the young coach Dunbar had hired at Northern Iowa in 1999 and who succeeded him as Northwestern's offensive coordinator last year.

There was the offense that Dunbar had shepherded from 2002-05, obliterating Michigan State to the tune of 48 points and 611 yards.

"When I saw that C.J. threw for over 500 yards and I saw the score, I thought, 'OK, I've got to check this out,' " Dunbar said. "It was a fun game to see. I'm rooting for Northwestern all the time -- except for this week."

Dunbar hopes he doesn't see a rerun from NU's offense today when Minnesota visits Ryan Field (11 a.m., Big Ten Network). It marks Dunbar's first trip to Evanston since he left NU to become Cal's offensive coordinator in February 2006.

After just one season with Cal, Dunbar joined Tim Brewster's staff at Minnesota.

Besides analyzing a defense coordinated by his close friend Greg Colby, Dunbar spent part of the week in Minnesota's defensive meetings, helping to dissect the offense he once coached.

"He's very familiar with a lot of their players," Brewster said. "He helped recruit a number of them, and so he's been beneficial that way. … We don't have the use the scout teams quite as much this week, and that is very, very helpful to our defense."

Dunbar downplayed his role, but his knowledge of NU's scheme could help a 1-5 Minnesota team looking for any competitive edge.

Both teams run the shotgun spread offense with four wide receivers and one running back. Dunbar's system features short passes, but the running game is paramount.

NU had a 1,000-yard rusher every year he coordinated the offense and ranked fourth nationally in total offense (500.3 ypg) in 2005.

"Garrick and I could exchange game plans and probably call each other's plays," Dunbar said. "There's a lot of similarities, but Garrick's got new wrinkles and I've got new wrinkles."

McGee sought Dunbar's guidance this summer after NU's offense finished last in the Big Ten in yards (311.1 ypg) and points (16.5 ppg) in 2006. Struggling to identify a starting quarterback, NU ranked 92nd nationally in total offense after placing no worse than 63rd in Dunbar's four years as coordinator.

The 34-year-old McGee credited the "wise old man" for helping him adopt a broader perspective. (Note: McGee, who left the team following the death of his father, Larry, on Wednesday, will be back coaching today.)

"Have second-floor vision," McGee recalled Dunbar telling him. "Overlook the whole thing. Don't think about what we're doing, always think about why. He did a great job giving me information. He understands not only how to coach the X's and O's, but how to actually manage a football team.

"When you're coordinating an offense, it has really nothing to do with the plays that you run."

That was the most important lesson for McGee.

"Last year, I thought that I had to call the perfect play at the perfect time," he said. "You just get your kids to play hard, and it doesn't really matter what you call."

McGee is settling into his role this season, while Dunbar has gotten mixed results from a young Minnesota offense. The Gophers average 436.5 yards per game but rank 116th nationally in turnovers with 20.

Minnesota (1-5, 0-3) at Northwestern (3-3, 1-2)

When: 11 a.m. at Ryan Field

TV: Big Ten Network. Radio: WGN 720-AM, WNUR 89.3-FM

Series: Minnesota leads 49-28-5

Coaches: Tim Brewster (1-5, first year at Minnesota and overall); Pat Fitzgerald (7-11, second year at NU and overall).

Players to watch: Minnesota wide receiver Eric Decker leads the Big Ten in receptions per game (7.3) and ranks second in receiving yards (93.3 ypg). The Gophers defense is struggling, but cornerback Jamal Harris has 7.5 tackles for loss and ranks ninth nationally in passes defended (1.7 per game). … After a career day against MSU, Eric Peterman leads NU in receptions (28) and receiving yards (362). The secondary is banged up, but NU needs better results from safeties Brad Phillips and Reggie McPherson.

The skinny: The teams meet for the first time since 2004. Minnesota has won three straight in the series, though NU has claimed five of the last nine meetings. Golden Gophers running back Amir Pinnix has been slowed by turf toe, possibly increasing the workload for Duane Bennett and Jay Thomas. Sherrick McManis will be back returning kicks today for NU.

-- Adam Rittenberg