The Gophers men’s gymnastics team was ranked No. 8 in the 2011 preseason coaches poll. The season doesn’t begin until Jan. 15 in Chicago, but the early outlook for the team is promising, considering how much talent they graduated.

“I think that’s a good spot to be in right now considering we have such a big group of freshmen on our team this year,” Minnesota head coach Mike Burns said.

One interesting note is that of the six Big Ten programs that actually field a men’s gymnastics program, all of them are inside the nation’s top 10.

There is Minnesota at No. 8, Michigan (2), Illinois (4), Ohio State (6), Penn State (7), and Iowa (10). Nebraska, who will not be a part of the Big Ten this season, but will be added next year, are ranked No. 9.

“The Big Ten will again be a major battle with four of the six Big Ten teams ranked ahead of us,” Burns said. “The Big Ten continues to be the strength of the NCAA program with all 6 teams being ranked in the top 10.”