Media Predictions - Minnesota Vs. Rutgers 2025

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IceBoxGopher

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First predictions are out for the game this week.

Picks and Parlays backs Minnesota, 23-17
This game has the feel of a close, lower-scoring Big Ten contest. Rutgers has a more proven offense, but Minnesota’s defense at home creates an advantage in this matchup. The Golden Gophers will win by maintaining pressure from their front seven on the Rutgers offense, while on offense, maintaining sustained drives. Final Score Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers win and cover.

Sports Book Wire (USA Today) picks Minnesota, 27-24
The Scarlet Knights are underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+4.5), against the Golden Gophers (with an over/under of 51.5 points).

Pro Football Network has Rutgers winning, 20-10

Capper Tek has Minnesota winning 33-10
 



We will learn a lot about our coaches and our team vs. Rutgers. Rutgers is not slouch. They have some obvious holes (giving up 30 to Iowa) but they have some talent in the skilled positions. This game will be a battle and will show a lot about the mental make-up of the coaches and team.
 

gophernut1 said:
We will learn a lot about our coaches and our team vs. Rutgers. Rutgers is not slouch. They have some obvious holes (giving up 30 to Iowa) but they have some talent in the skilled positions. This game will be a battle and will show a lot about the mental make-up of the coaches and team.
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Gave up 38 actually, or did you not count points off special teams?
 


gophernut1 said:
We will learn a lot about our coaches and our team vs. Rutgers. Rutgers is not slouch. They have some obvious holes (giving up 30 to Iowa) but they have some talent in the skilled positions. This game will be a battle and will show a lot about the mental make-up of the coaches and team.
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Two words. Robb Smith.

Question answered.
 

The North Jersey Record picks Rutgers, 24-20
Rutgers needs to bounce back from the loss to Iowa. The Scarlet Knights need to avoid an early-season slide, especially with the difficulty of the schedule the second half of the season. This game, and the following game at Washington, are critical. I think Rutgers is in a good spot for a win. Yes, Minnesota's defense has pretty played well so far (it's allowed 177.7 yards per game, best in the Big Ten).

But the Golden Gophers haven't been truly tested yet, with their wins coming against Buffalo and Northwestern State. They lost to California in Week 3, and the Golden Bears just got smoked by San Diego State 34-0. Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis is playing outstanding this season, and he'll have some added motivation against his former team.

He played well in a win over Minnesota last year. I think Rutgers' offense will score enough against a solid Minnesota defense. It's just a matter of how the Scarlet Knights play defensively. I think they'll play well enough to back up the offense.

College Football News goes with Minnesota, 30-24
Rutgers likes to control the clock and the tempo, but Minnesota is better at it.

With two weeks off after being picked apart by Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, the defense will keep Kaliakmanis from getting settled in and comfortable.

Rutgers will get a few quick scores, but like the Iowa game, it’ll stall in key moments in the second half.

The Daily Gopher (SB Nation) picks Minnesota, 31-27
Aside from the health of Darius Taylor, my biggest concern going into this game is the Minnesota defense. Against Cal, the defensive line struggled to generate consistent pressure, and the secondary seemed to be on its heels for most of the game. But I’m going to choose optimism here and give defensive coordinator Danny Collins the benefit of the doubt after a bye week to address their issues.

Tony’s Picks goes with Rutgers in the matchup.
Rutgers have flashed offense this year with efficient quarterback play with 68.4% completions for 9.2 yards per pass attempt. The Golden Gophers offensive numbers have been inflated against wins against FCS Northwestern ST and Buffalo at home.
 


Sports Grid picks Minnesota in the game
Rutgers lost their first game of the season last Friday night and is 0-1 in conference play, while Minnesota had an extra week to prepare (also coming off a loss) for its Big Ten opener. The Gophers have a strong defense and a weak offense, while RU’s offense has been good; their defense, however, has been among the worst in college football.

The Scarlet Knights couldn’t get stops against Iowa (Iowa!) at home, as they blew the lead on three different occasions. I’m not expecting them to get many stops on the road and don’t have the benefit of a strong rushing attack to play keep away. The Gophers bounce back at home to get their first Big Ten win of the season.

Cappers Picks has Minnesota winning, 27-20
Given Minnesota’s strong home record and Rutgers’ recent road challenges, the Golden Gophers have the edge. Additionally, Minnesota’s defense ranks well, which should help them control the game.

Odd Shark takes Minnesota, 32-17
Minnesota will Win, Cover the Spread, and the Total will go Under.

Bleacher Report picks Minnesota, 24-19
 




Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0 said:
I'm surprised by the number of Minnesota picks to be honest.
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I'm not. We are at home, coming off a bye week, going against a Rutgers defense/special teams that gave up 38 points to an offensively challenged Iowa team and seemed to get beat up in the process as well.

Most of the predictions are calling for a close game but not surprised the majority of them are leaning towards us winning. Especially given that it would seem highly likely we get DT back after having 3 full weeks to heal.
 

MNVCGUY said:
I'm not. We are at home, coming off a bye week, going against a Rutgers defense/special teams that gave up 38 points to an offensively challenged Iowa team and seemed to get beat up in the process as well.

Most of the predictions are calling for a close game but not surprised the majority of them are leaning towards us winning. Especially given that it would seem highly likely we get DT back after having 3 full weeks to heal.
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Plus it’s not like Rutgers has looked that great other than scoring some points. Their defense has looked straight up bad.
 




Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0 said:
I'm surprised by the number of Minnesota picks to be honest.
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This past weekend solidified the belief among those who know about college football in the Gophers. Folks have no problem picking the Gophers after their thrilling rebound performance this past weekend.
 

Writers at NJ.Com are siding with Rutgers.
Steve Politi predicts a 35-31 Rutgers win.
This is the second straight Big Ten game where Rutgers has the best player on the field in Ian Strong and a quarterback — former Minnesota starter Athan Kaliakmanis — who is playing at an elite level. The Scarlet Knights couldn’t win the first one against Iowa.

If they lose this one, the ceiling for their season lowers considerably as the odds of reaching a bowl game diminish. I think they’ll clean up the special teams mistakes from last week and find a way to outscore the Golden Gophers on the road.

Brian Fonesca has Rutgers winning, 27-17
These programs are a mirror image of each other, with PJ Fleck taking a lot of lessons from his former boss Greg Schiano. But when looking at the first month of the 2025 campaign, it seems clear to me that one team is clearly better than the other.

In his return to his former home, Athan Kaliakmanis will quiet the jeering crowd with a performance that lives up to the lofty expectations the Golden Gopher faithful put on him when he arrived as a four-star recruit.

Star wide receiver Ian Strong will help pour it on with another elite performance, while the Scarlet Knights’ defense shows enough progress to allow their team to win this game comfortably.

Pat Lanni is going with Rutgers, 30-21
It’s hard to get a great feel for Minnesota based on its first three results, but regardless of its 2-1 start, P.J. Fleck has brought Minnesota to a level of consistency that would make his former protege, Greg Schiano, proud. Still, this is not a high-powered Minnesota offense. The Golden Gophers will struggle to keep pace with Rutgers’ passing attack.

While 28 points was not enough to win against Iowa, it will be enough against Minnesota. I expect the Scarlet Knights to play much cleaner than last week. I can’t come up with a good reason why Minnesota is favored by so much — other than an overreaction and indictment on Rutgers’ (rare) special teams miscues against Iowa.

Scores and Stats is siding with Minnesota, 30-24
Rutgers outlook:
Kaliakmanis has thrown for 1,150 yards with 7 TDs. WR Ian Strong, tied for the Big Ten lead in catches, had 151 yards against Iowa. Rutgers’ rushing attack averages only 141 yards per game.

Minnesota outlook:
The Golden Gophers allow just 41 rushing yards per game, best in the nation. RB Darius Taylor (leg, questionable) may miss time, with Fame Ijeboi stepping in. QB Drake Lindsey is efficient, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt.

Key battle:
Rutgers’ passing game against Minnesota’s secondary. If Strong can break free, Rutgers can keep pace. Otherwise, the Gophers’ defense should dominate.
 


My gut told me we were going to look good against Cal. My gut tells me this is a game we blow. If I go with the opposite of my gut, as I should, I'd say MN17-13NJ. But my gut really says: No DT+no pass catchers+no NJ defense vs. AK+KC+MN rushing 3+MN DBs not awesome: NJ31-16MN
 


The Pioneer Press is going with a close Minnesota win, 21-20
Minnesota Offense Vs. Rutgers Defense: Minnesota fans know Knights’ defensive coordinator Robb Smith; P.J. Fleck fired him from the same role in the middle of 2018 season. Smith has reunited with Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano for a third time, and his defense has struggled. The Knights are 123rd in the country, allowing 6.45 yards per play.

Rutgers lost seven of its top 10 tacklers from last season, and LB Moses Walker left last week’s loss to Iowa with a non-contact injury. Rutgers has had eight other players go down with season-ending injuries. QB Drake Lindsey has only 11 attempts beyond 20 yards, with four completed; that needs to increase. Edge: Minnesota

Minnesota Defense Vs. Rutgers Offense: Schiano, a Fleck mentor, heaped praise on Minnesota’s defense, repeatedly citing how the U has the “best defense in the nation” in his Monday news conference. While that is statistically correct — their total defense is ranked No. 1, allowing 177 yards per game — it’s skewed by Northwestern State managing only 42 yards.

Cal put up 340 total yards two weeks ago. Former Gophers QB Athan Kaliakmanis is having a career year, completing 68% of his passes and averaging 289 yards a game. Edge: Rutgers

Special Teams: PR Koi Perich muffed a punt that led to Cal surging ahead two weeks ago. K Brady Denaburg missed a 51-yarder in Berkeley after making four straight to start the season. Edge: Rutgers

Prediction: The Gophers’ loss to Cal looks worse after San Diego State shut out the Golden Bears 34-0 last Saturday, but Minnesota had a bye week to stew on the defeat and added time to prepare and get healthier. Gophers win a nail biter.
 

swede2 said:
We gave up 27 to a team that got blanked by a MWC team. I don't think the verdict is in on this defense just yet.
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Meh, part of that was a short field gift. Rutgers gave up 30 or so to a MAC team. I think our defense holds up, but which is worse our offense or their defense? I think that will decide this one. If our offense stinks I think we lose a close low scoring game. If our offense plays well and their defense stinks I think we cover.
 

Gophers on SI is out with their staff predictions.
Tony Liebert sides with Minnesota, 27-20
Athan Kaliakmanis’ return to Huntington Bank Stadium will get all of the headlines, but this week’s matchup is a pivotal game for both Minnesota and Rutgers. Both teams are very comparable, but the Gophers’ extra week to prepare should give them just enough of an edge to eke out a close win.

Joe Nelson takes Rutgers, 31-24
I firmly believe Greg Schiano is going to out-coach P.J. Fleck. My fear is that Fleck will do what he did in the Cal game and try and burn clock with the running game rather than letting talented redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey shine.

That, coupled with Minnesota's struggles against the pass in the loss to Cal, lead me to worry that Athan Kaliakmanis and two really good receivers — 6-foot-3 Ian Strong and 6-foot-6 KJ Duff — will have a big day. The Gophers have the talent to beat Rutgers, but they won't if Fleck and the coaching staff keep Lindsey shackled.

Will Ragatz picks Minnesota, 30-26
Saturday’s game is going to be a test for the Gophers’ defense. Athan Kaliakmanis is playing the best football of his career, and he has some effective weapons at his disposal in Antwan Raymond, Ian Strong, and KJ Duff. But Rutgers’ defense isn’t great, which should be good news for Drake Lindsey and Darius Taylor (if the latter plays).

The Gophers are at home and have had a full two weeks to prepare for this game, while the Scarlet Knights are coming off of a tough 38-28 loss to Iowa last weekend. P.J. Fleck’s team has to find a way to win this one. It’ll be close, but I think they’ll get it done.

Jonathan Harrison has Rutgers winning a close one, 31-28
The long-awaited return of Athan Kaliakmanis is finally upon us. Whether P.J. Fleck wants to acknowledge it or not, that storyline will loom large over this game. Kaliakmanis has been slinging it this season (7 TDs, 1 Int) and is coming off a loss against Iowa in which he threw it over 300 yards but gave away the game with a late interception.

He got one over on his old squad last year, and unfortunately, for Gophers fans I think a similar thing will happen this weekend. Minnesota is still a young, developing team and as Drake Lindsey gets his feet wet in Big Ten play there will be growing pains. A close loss to the former Gophers QB is on the cards this weekend.
 

Gopher Illustrated (247 Sports) has Minnesota winning, 30-27
The one thing I disagree with Vegas on is the game total. I don't like the matchup between Rutgers' receivers and Minnesota's corners. Additionally, while the Gopher offense has struggled to score points, Robb Smith's defense is the worst in the Big Ten at yards per play.

The two quarterbacks duke it out in the fourth quarter, but Minnesota gets pressure on Kaliakmanis on Rutgers' final drive, which sees a slant sail high into the arms of Koi Perich.

Sports Chat Place is siding with Rutgers
Rutgers played decently well last week against Iowa, but they couldn’t finish and ended up with the loss. The Scarlet Knights have allowed 28+ points in two of their first four games and this will be their first road game of the season.

Minnesota played very poorly against California last time out, but they did have a bye week to try and put that loss behind them. I think Rutgers has the better offense in this game and while Minnesota has the better defensive unit, I can’t trust their offense to score.

Trojans Wire (USA Today) is picking Minnesota
Rutgers look much improved last week against Iowa but I still do not trust them to win these type of games yet. P.J. Fleck and this Gophers team is great after the bye. I expect Minnesota to run comfortably to victory in this game.
 

The Star Tribune also has Minnesota winning, 24-23
The Gophers’ last game certainly didn’t inspire confidence. Uncharacteristic mistakes, eight penalties, special teams gaffes and a lack of offensive rhythm led to the loss at Cal in their first test against a Power Four opponent.

Now comes Rutgers and a seasoned version of Kaliakmanis, who might be the most improved QB in the Big Ten. The Gophers must play complementary football — the offense helping the defense with long drives, and special teams being an asset — to win.

The hunch is Taylor returns, and he’s the difference-maker.
 

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