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The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/RJEP22 on 2025-07-23 13:00:06+00:00.
WE’RE GOING THROUGH EACH P4 TEAM’S SCHEDULE AND PICKING EVERY GAME!
Today we have the Minnesota Golden Gophers!
2024 ended on a high note in Minneapolis, as the Gophers finished with back to back wins over rival Wisconsin and Virginia Tech in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Now, as the sheen of the mayo bath is finally washing away, 2025 may present a greater opportunity for this program.
This team is talented and deep enough this year to hang with just about anyone, but the QB situation comes with question marks. Everyone around the program believes Drake Lindsey, but he is green. Featuring in just 2 games last year, the 3 star recruit only attempted 4 passes in all of 2024. He will have talent around him though as the Gophers return 5 offensive starters, and some experienced pieces have been added out of the portal along the offensive line and in the WR corps. PJ Fleck has also done a good job adding depth at RB out of the portal as well. If Lindsey takes some time to get going, this team should be able to run the ball better than last year.
On defense another 5 starters return and the Gophers secured help in the secondary and depth along the DL in the portal. There is no reason to believe this unit won’t be every bit as strong as it was last year, but the question marks could be in the secondary, where Koi Perich is going to need some pieces around him to hit.
SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN
W vs Buffalo
W vs Northwestern State
W @ Cal
BYE
W vs Rutgers
L @ Ohio State
W vs Purdue
W vs Nebraska
L @ Iowa
W vs Michigan State
BYE
L @ Oregon
W @ Northwestern
W vs Wisconsin
This schedule is absolutely perfect for a mid-tier team looking to maximize wins. The 3 hardest opponents on the schedule are all road games, and while that elevates these game to probable losses, it also increases the projected win total in home games. Every single team Minnesota will be fighting for position in the Big Ten with has to come to Minneapolis. Rutgers, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Wisconsin are all at home this year. Purdue is also a home game, which is key in that the Gophers don’t have to worry about that being a trap game, and should be able to handle that game comfortably at home.
Anyways, I think this team can go undefeated at home this year without too much complication. Nebraska will likely be the toughest test, but I’m not ready to pick the Huskers in a chilly one-possession game on the road just yet. Trips to Oregon and Ohio State will be losses, so the season likely comes down to the trips to Cal and Iowa.
Cal lost so much offensive production this offseason, that I think the Gopher defense can suffocate the Golden Bears, Lindsey and the offense find their footing. I’m currently picking Iowa in the game at Kinnick, but that is by no means a certainty. Minnesota could easily win that game after dropping the Nebraska game at home, or lose a cold and windy trap game at Northwestern late in the season.
However it shakes out, I can’t find more than 5 losses on this schedule, assuming the offense under Lindsey has a pulse. I’m struggling to even find 4 losses, as that would require this team losing as a favorite. I think Minnesota gets to 8 wins comfortably in 2025 and I like 9 wins way more than 7. The total is still sitting at 6.5 but some places have a 7.5 available and I plan to take them at both numbers. Minnesota could be one win at Iowa away from knocking on the CFP door this year.