8. Minnesota (9-4): The Gophers finished the season with at least nine wins for only the third time since 1905. Minnesota also defeated Washington State 17-12 in the National Funding Holiday Bowl. Tracy Claeys was fired after he publicly supported his players' protests of the school's suspension of 10 players in connection with a sexual assault investigation. But Minnesota quickly hired former Western Michigan coach PJ Fleck, who should make the Gophers even more competitive in the Big Ten West.