2026 Big Ten predictions: Game-by-game picks, projecting every team's final win-loss record (MN: Projected record: 5-7, 3-6)

[gopherbadgerman]

It’s not a crazy projection in my opinion, the gophers are more likely to go five and seven than nine and three in the regular season. They have a below average offensive line, a quarterback with promise, a good but injured running back and no wide receivers. They have a good defensive line OK linebackers and an OK secondary

Until they prove pundits wrong, it’s hard to argue

I would personally bet on a six and six regular season.

 

[TwistingMyMelon]

So, 15th in the Big is fine on defense now? Our schedule is tougher this year and we struggled to keep Michigan State, Purdue, and Wisconsin in check offensively. That's a 1, 0, and 2-win team in conference.

The defense needs to build on the strengths of last year (sacks and tackles for loss) and figure out a way to stop teams on offense. Whether they have an offense (Ohio State, Oregon - 17 Conference wins) or not (Michigan State and Purdue - 1 conference win between them).

If only we could play Nebraska 9x in conference this year.

I think you're confused. Minnesota was not 15th in scoring defense in the Big Ten. They were 10th at 22.9 points allowed per game. That's not great (not as good as Fleck's 21, 22, and 24 teams) but it's not bad either. Big Ten teams tend to be good defensive teams overall.

Minnesota WAS 15th in the Big Ten in scoring offense. That's not good at all (102 out of 136 FBS teams) and that really needs to improve significantly. While I think the defense needs to improve a bit, I'm fairly confident that they will. The offense has to improve more and I'm less confident of that.

 

[Gopher Mac]

My mind says 6-6 but my heart says 9-3. My mind is moving slowly closer to 9-3. I'm almost at 7-5...one more week of GopherHole and I'll be there!

(Having fun...love you guys... I really am getting closer to 7-8 wins...GoGophers!)

Come on over to the 10-2 pool the water is nice and warm!

 

[everybody knows my name]

Zero research done.