GH: Six Predictions for the Gophers in 2025.

NoelarBear

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The best time of the year is upon us—college football. As we are only a few days away from the start of the season, a new season brings new predictions. Last season, I shared six predictions about the Gophers’ season. At the end of the year, I revisited those predictions and owned up to them; you can see that right here.

The 2025 season will be P.J. Fleck’s ninth season as the head coach of the Gophers. After another eight-win season last year, Fleck is looking to lead the Gophers to their fifth eight-win season in the six previous years (not including the COVID season).

There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic for this upcoming year. Minnesota has All-Big Ten talent all over the team, and they brought in players via the transfer portal that should make an immediate impact. All-American Koi Perich is back and has been practicing with the offense alongside leading one of the best safety duos in the conference. The Gophers return one of the best tailbacks in the country in Darius Taylor. The team does have some question marks heading into the fall. What will the growing pains look like for redshirt freshman QB Drake Lindsey, who has yet to start a collegiate game? Who will step up in the young and talented wide receiver corps? The offensive line has the size and talent up front, but how will they gel together as the line will have five new starters at their position?

Below are some of my predictions for the 2025 season. Like always, I won’t be too mad if I am proven wrong in some ways. But here is what I think will happen this year.




1. Darius Taylor will surpass 1,600 All-Purpose Yards.

With 54 receptions, no tailback in the Big Ten caught the ball more than Darius Taylor last year. His 350 receiving yards, along with his 986 yards on the ground, would have Taylor finish the 2024 season with 1,336 All-Purpose yards. With the run game being extremely inconsistent, it’s tempting to imagine how many more yards Taylor would have gotten if he had more room to make things happen. Darius looks stronger than ever entering the 2025 season. This year, I’m predicting the Gophers’ running game to be improved, and Taylor to remain involved in the passing game. If he surpasses 1,600 All-Purpose yards, he could find himself in the Top 10 List of All-Purpose yards in a season in program history.

2. Koi Perich will score a touchdown in four different ways.

I’ll be honest, I couldn’t help myself with this one. Maybe it’s the videos Gopher football has been posting with Koi making plays on offense. But I am fully aboard the Koi Perich being the next Travis Hunter train, no matter how ridiculous it is. Simply because the talent is there, and we have seen enough of Koi being a star, where we know he can make an impact anytime he is on the field. This year, I am predicting Koi to score a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown, a pick six, and a touchdown on special teams. If anybody can do it, Koi can.

3. There will be no change in the trophy case.

Three rivalry trophies will be on line in the 2025 season. The first one will be the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy on October 17th. A week later, the Floyd of Rosedale will be at stake in Iowa City. Then, Minnesota will conclude its season at home, looking to defend Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Entering the season, the Gophers have possession of the $5 Bits of Broken Chair and the Axe. I don’t see the trophy case changing after the season. I predict the Gophers will go 2-1 in trophy games this year—the one loss at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

4. The Gophers will have two or more first-team All-Big Ten players for the fourth year in a row.

Minnesota continues to produce and develop players at a high level, with two or more players on the All-Big Ten first team in the last three years. In 2022, it was Mo Ibrahim and John Michael Schmitz. Tyler Nubin and Dragan Kesich made the team in 2023. Last year, Aireontae Ersery, Cody Lindenberg, and Koi Perich found themselves on the list of first-team all-conference. Minnesota has a few players on the 2025 team who find themselves on the list at the end of the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see Koi Perich, Anthony Smith, and Darius Taylor be named on the first-team All-Big Ten.

5. Drake Lindsey has the second-best season for a freshman QB in Gophers history.

It wouldn’t surprise you that Adam Weber is at the top of the list when it comes to Freshman passing yards (2,895) and passing touchdowns (24). It would surprise you the gap between Adam Weber at first and the person in second. Tanner Morgan is second in passing yards for a freshman with 1,401, and Gophers legend Rickey Foggie is second in passing touchdowns by a freshman with 10. I don’t see Drake Lindsey catching Adam Weber in his first year under center, but I do see Drake Lindsey throwing more than 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns.

6. Anthony Smith plays his way into a few Top 10 lists in program history.

Every offensive coordinator the Gophers face will be preparing their offensive line for Anthony Smith. The Pennsylvania native is looking to continue his dominance after a solid 2024 season in which he led the team with six sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss. To enter the Top 10 in sacks and tackles for loss in a season, he needs 7.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. With a solid defensive line around him to support him, I predict Anthony Smith will exceed both of those numbers.
 


Great stuff as usual Noel. Great list. Really hope you're right on Smith, we need a big year from him.

Go Gophers!!
 




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