Thoughts on 2026?

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gopher56

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I was reviewing our schedule next year (actually just to see about traveling to a game) and next year can either go really good, or go horrible I feel. The first 3 game **should** be layups, but can't ever put it past the Gophers to let one get away. Though i think Mississipi State is okay?

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

@Indiana - L
Iowa - 50/50 - though i feel better about it being at home and i think they will have a new QB?
Michigan - I have them as an L, but if their QB does not progress, i feel we could put up points if our O is more efficient
Northwestern - W, not super confident about this one, but it's at home
UCLA - W - Another new coach, and at home
@Penn State - W - I can't figure out what is going on with this team, they still don't have a coach and are going to miss an entire recruiting cycle
@Purdue - W
@Washington - L
@Wisconsin - 50/50

I think the Vegas line will be only 5.5 coming into next year, but from a fan perspective I think a relatively optimistic season could be 8-4 or even 9-3 if we pull out one we shouldn't (and not lose the ones we shouldn't)


1764786783495.png
 


We usually take at least one loss that we "shouldn't" so who knows.

Is this offense going to run 2nd to last in the B1G in yards per game? if so bowl game might be difficult ...
 




gopher56 said:
I was reviewing our schedule next year (actually just to see about traveling to a game) and next year can either go really good, or go horrible I feel. The first 3 game **should** be layups, but can't ever put it past the Gophers to let one get away. Though i think Mississipi State is okay?

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

@Indiana - L
Iowa - 50/50 - though i feel better about it being at home and i think they will have a new QB?
Michigan - I have them as an L, but if their QB does not progress, i feel we could put up points if our O is more efficient
Northwestern - W, not super confident about this one, but it's at home
UCLA - W - Another new coach, and at home
@Penn State - W - I can't figure out what is going on with this team, they still don't have a coach and are going to miss an entire recruiting cycle
@Purdue - W
@Washington - L
@Wisconsin - 50/50

I think the Vegas line will be only 5.5 coming into next year, but from a fan perspective I think a relatively optimistic season could be 8-4 or even 9-3 if we pull out one we shouldn't (and not lose the ones we shouldn't)


View attachment 40595
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That's not the order they are necessarily going to be played, other than the 1st 3 and Wisconsin. Would never have 4 on the road to close season.
 

All things considered that is an easy schedule. If they can't capitalize on that one they will be kicking themselves.
 

gopher56 said:
I was reviewing our schedule next year (actually just to see about traveling to a game) and next year can either go really good, or go horrible I feel. The first 3 game **should** be layups, but can't ever put it past the Gophers to let one get away. Though i think Mississipi State is okay?

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

@Indiana - L
Iowa - 50/50 - though i feel better about it being at home and i think they will have a new QB?
Michigan - I have them as an L, but if their QB does not progress, i feel we could put up points if our O is more efficient
Northwestern - W, not super confident about this one, but it's at home
UCLA - W - Another new coach, and at home
@Penn State - W - I can't figure out what is going on with this team, they still don't have a coach and are going to miss an entire recruiting cycle
@Purdue - W
@Washington - L
@Wisconsin - 50/50

I think the Vegas line will be only 5.5 coming into next year, but from a fan perspective I think a relatively optimistic season could be 8-4 or even 9-3 if we pull out one we shouldn't (and not lose the ones we shouldn't)


View attachment 40595
Click to expand...
Outside of the 3 with actual dates they're in alphabetical order. B1G dates haven't been announced yet. wisconsin will be the final game of course
 




I think this is the year. Drake breaks out, more experienced players in every position group improve the team all around, and Koi gets out of his sophomore slump. There is an argument to be made for a 2019-esque season. I think we can at least manage 9-3. Something to revisit after the portal window but I think a 7-5 floor and 10-2 ceiling is where we’ll end up. So much potential on both sides of the ball.
 


It's pointless to forecast the 2026 season until the portal window is closed.
 




DarrenTheGreek said:
It's pointless to forecast the 2026 season until the portal window is closed.
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I don't disagree, but outside of say all the good players bolting or something like that ... it's not like we know anything after we swap out and in a bunch of portal guys unless we mysteriously pickup Steve Montana in the portal ;)
 


Looks like a year to take a big swing even if it results in a couple down years to refill the NIL coffers.
 

DarrenTheGreek said:
It's pointless to forecast the 2026 season until the portal window is closed.
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Agree....way too early to even pretend to make predictions about 2026. Need to see how all the player movement shakes out and even then need to see teams actually play to really get a sense for how good teams are.

But at the very least need rosters to be set to get some idea about what teams have coming back.
 





gopher56 said:
Im an idiot, i didnt realize it was in alphabetical order 😓
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I am genuinely curious though why UCLA (University of California Los Angeles) is listed in between Northwestern/ Penn State, and not either at the top for "C"alifornia or between Purdue/Washington for "U"CLA.

My best guess is that the algorithm ignores "University" and moves on to "of".

Oh well, moving on.
 

Mr. 131 said:
I can’t in good conscience label Iowa 50/50 ever at this point.
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Agree Iowa has to be a in the loss column until we prove otherwise. I would go as far as sure loss the way we have played them lately.
 



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