California junior running back Jahvid Best, a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy, knows what he’s up against on Saturday.

In comments to the media on Wednesday, Best said the Minnesota defense he will face on Saturday is a strong one.

"They’re a big, physical group," Best said.  "They’re definitely a bigger group than we’ve seen this year."

The Gophers three starting linebackers – Lee Campbell, Simoni Lawrence, and Nate Triplett – have combined for 70 tackles in two games.  Campbell and Triplett have captured the first two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors, and Triplett collected a couple more awards after last Saturday.

"Their D-line is huge, and their linebackers are huge," Best said.  "It’s going to be a physical game."

Best has rushed for 281 yards and scored three touchdowns in Bears wins over Maryland and Eastern Washington the last two weeks, and is averaging over 10 yards per carry this season.  Last year he was fifth in the country with 1,580 rushing yards.