Non-Conference Scheduling

[Scottsdale Gopher]

This was touched on a bit in the "worst opponent since" thread, but I think it's an interesting enough topic for it's own discussion. Given the context in which Gopher football exists: nine P4 conference games, no out of conference rivalries, a developmental program compared to others in the conference, not a helmet school, etc. What do you feel is the right approach to our non-conference schedule?

I've seen/heard fans and the media suggest that if the Gophers schedule an FCS opponent, they ought to be inviting SDSU/USD/NDSU. In my opinion, that would be (and has been) of no benefit to the Gophers. They provide those schools with a great platform and receive no credit for winning the game. For those reasons, I'm generally against any FCS opponent, though I loved seeing how many players got in the game yesterday and can appreciate the value that has to the players and the program.

My preference would be:

• One game against a P4 school at a similar (or lower) level of performance over the last decade
  • I'd accept the occasional Mountain West team here
• Two games against teams from the Sun Belt, CUSA, or MAC

I doubt Minnesota will ever find itself the recipient of a bullet-proof preseason ranking. e.g. Such that the Gophers could lose their first non-con game and stay in the rankings. That would make me less inclined to seek out a strong P4 opponent for the non-conference schedule.

What does everyone else think?

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I assume the actual team who is scheduled for the last OOC spot on our schedule is largely about "hey you got an open date?" and "what's your price?"

That means the options aren't quite as wide open as we might presume.

 

[U2Gopher]

Honestly, I don’t mind a game like this past weekend as long as the Gophers schedule a power 4 opponent as well. I think the schedule this year is ideal (easy, medium and power 4). We have the home and home with Cal, Mississippi State and Alabama on the books. We have an opening across 3 years (2029-2031) where it is wide open for scheduling. I’ve done some looking at other power 4 teams to see who we could matchup with during that time frame. Some who are also wide open with no other power 4 teams currently on the books are Stanford, Texas A&M, Texas, Tennessee, Vandy, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Houston and Cincinnati. I would not be surprised to see Minnesota matchup with one of those teams in the near future.

I wouldn’t really care to play Houston or Cincinnati because I just don’t think they are a draw or big enough name, but I’d love a matchup against any of the others in that list.

 

[LeftofThaDial]

What ever we feel, with the U pushing back Bowling Green to ‘28 its clear PJ wants 1 P4 1 MAC level and 1 FCS. Our future FCS games are Eastern Illinois in ‘26, Lindenwood in ‘27 and North Dakota in ‘28 and ‘30

 

[MaxyJR1]

Yesterday served a purpose.

• It allowed 76 players game action
• It allowed the coaches to evaluate all those players
• It was family weekend and allowed people to bring young fans to the game for a reasonable price.
• It show cased the band and spirit squads to numerous HS kids providing them a great opportunity to be on the field

These experiences all offer opportunities and engage the state in Gopher football. Seeing your team win 66-0 doesn’t hurt.

 

[Ope3]

Honestly, I don’t mind a game like this past weekend as long as the Gophers schedule a power 4 opponent as well. I think the schedule this year is ideal (easy, medium and power 4). We have the home and home with Cal, Mississippi State and Alabama on the books. We have an opening across 3 years (2029-2031) where it is wide open for scheduling. I’ve done some looking at other power 4 teams to see who we could matchup with during that time frame. Some who are also wide open with no other power 4 teams currently on the books are Stanford, Texas A&M, Texas, Tennessee, Vandy, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Houston and Cincinnati. I would not be surprised to see Minnesota matchup with one of those teams in the near future.

I get why the Gophers don't play Iowa St regularly, largely due to their regularly scheduled rivalry game with Iowa.

They should at least play at each other's stadium once per decade. That would just make too much sense.

Even playing at the Zygi Dome once every 4-5 years and split the gate seems like a win-win.

 

[Ope3]

Yesterday served a purpose.

• It allowed 76 players game action
• It allowed the coaches to evaluate all those players
• It was family weekend and allowed people to bring young fans to the game for a reasonable price.
• It show cased the band and spirit squads to numerous HS kids providing them a great opportunity to be on the field

These experiences all offer opportunities and engage the state in Gopher football. Seeing your team win 66-0 doesn’t hurt.

Points 3 & 4 could happen no matter the opponent, especially against one of G5 caliber.

Points 1 & 2 shouldn't have to cost Season Ticket holders 1/7th of their price of attendance, scholarship donations, parking etc.

 

[Scottsdale Gopher]

Yesterday served a purpose.

• It allowed 76 players game action
• It allowed the coaches to evaluate all those players
• It was family weekend and allowed people to bring young fans to the game for a reasonable price.
• It show cased the band and spirit squads to numerous HS kids providing them a great opportunity to be on the field

These experiences all offer opportunities and engage the state in Gopher football. Seeing your team win 66-0 doesn’t hurt.

I think this is an entirely reasonable perspective. And as Slab pointed out, it may not be straightforward to fill the schedule with FBS teams. I still think there is no benefit to scheduling the Dakota schools.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Yesterday served a purpose.

• It allowed 76 players game action
• It allowed the coaches to evaluate all those players
• It was family weekend and allowed people to bring young fans to the game for a reasonable price.
• It show cased the band and spirit squads to numerous HS kids providing them a great opportunity to be on the field

These experiences all offer opportunities and engage the state in Gopher football. Seeing your team win 66-0 doesn’t hurt.

I really don't mind a run up the score game each year.

Wins are important, it's clear SoS is not that big of a deal long term.

A game where we can get all the non starter guys in a bit more is always nice.

 

[swede2]

With expanded playoffs, teams shouldn't be afraid to schedule tougher opponents and take a loss. As a fan, I want to see good football. I turned over to the CyHawk game real early on Saturday.

 

[MaxyJR1]

Points 3 & 4 could happen no matter the opponent, especially against one of G5 caliber.

Points 1 & 2 shouldn't have to cost Season Ticket holders 1/7th of their price of attendance, scholarship donations, parking etc.

Season tickets are a choice. I have them also. Many people just buy tickets the day of the game and go for cheap.

Pro sports include preseason in their ticket packages.

I like my guaranteed seat to each game and enjoyed every bit of yesterday.

 

[SJUgopher]

I get why the Gophers don't play Iowa St regularly, largely due to their regularly scheduled rivalry game with Iowa.

They should at least play at each other's stadium once per decade. That would just make too much sense.

Even playing at the Zygi Dome once every 4-5 years and split the gate seems like a win-win.

I’d love to play IA St regularly. I know there is an ugly history there, but would be nice to honor Jack Trice in some way.

 

[Some guy]

We should schedule one quality P4
One mid major
And northwestern state

Every year

It’s fine if you didn’t think the game was good. But it is idiotic to schedule an FCS that isn’t a layup

 

[Ope3]

And northwestern state

Every year

It’s fine if you didn’t think the game was good. But it is idiotic to schedule an FCS that isn’t a layup

Devil's Advocate, not idiotic if you want to sell more tickets or provide value to those that already have purchased season tickets and provided mandatory scholarship "donations".

 

[Some guy]

Devil's Advocate, not idiotic if you want to sell more tickets or provide value to those that already have purchased season tickets and provided mandatory scholarship "donations".

Booking middle Tennessee state instead of northwestern state sells zero more tickets
And it would be stupid to hook a second P4, IMO

Will be an irrelevant question when big ten eventually goes to 10 conference games

 

[Ope3]

Booking middle Tennessee state instead of northwestern state sells zero more tickets
And it would be stupid to hook a second P4, IMO

Will be an irrelevant question when big ten eventually goes to 10 conference games

To clarify, I was referring to scheduling a different FCS team instead of Northwestern State.

Having any of the 4 Dakota schools or Northern Iowa would increase ticket sales and/or general interest in the contest.

 

[Some guy]

To clarify, I was referring to scheduling a different FCS team instead of Northwestern State.

Having any of the 4 Dakota schools or Northern Iowa would increase ticket sales and/or general interest in the contest.

Short term yes
But those teams are good enough to beat pretty much anyone in a one off game

If you lose you tank a whole season of revenue.
Is the risk vs the reward

 

[btowngopher]

I have no problem scheduling one FCS a year like most teams are doing now. And I prefer not to play good FCS teams.

 

[swede2]

I’d love to play IA St regularly. I know there is an ugly history there, but would be nice to honor Jack Trice in some way.

I'd like to play ISU regularly because it would be an interesting match-up not to wring hands about somethibg none of us were around for.

 

[swede2]

Short term yes
But those teams are good enough to beat pretty much anyone in a one off game

If you lose you tank a whole season of revenue.
Is the risk vs the reward

Really? If xDSU beats UofM no one shows up for Iowa or Purdue?

 

[Some guy]

Really? If xDSU beats UofM no one shows up for Iowa or Purdue?

Nobody showing up for Purdue either way?

Yes, historically when the gophers lost to NDSU and USD the fan enthusiasm diminished:
You serious?

 

[Ope3]

Short term yes
But those teams are good enough to beat pretty much anyone in a one off game

If you lose you tank a whole season of revenue.
Is the risk vs the reward

I have no problem scheduling one FCS a year like most teams are doing now. And I prefer not to play good FCS teams.

Is it really that much of risk currently to schedule a better FCS team with the talent gap widening more than ever? With P4 NIL, revenue sharing & Portal (which includes raiding FCS talent) it's a lot harder for such an upset.

Per Wiki FBS went 115-6 in 2024 against FCS teams. One of those was Kennesaw St who just moved to FBS. No P4 teams lost such a game.



If a P4 team loses to an FCS team, no matter what, odds are that team was not destined to do anything noteworthy.

 

[Gophers1992]

I get why the Gophers don't play Iowa St regularly, largely due to their regularly scheduled rivalry game with Iowa.

They should at least play at each other's stadium once per decade. That would just make too much sense.

Even playing at the Zygi Dome once every 4-5 years and split the gate seems like a win-win.

I was fine with your post until the last sentence. One thing CFB does not need more of is neutral site games. Play on campus.

 

[Some guy]

Is it really that much of risk currently to schedule a better FCS team with the talent gap widening more than ever? With P4 NIL, revenue sharing & Portal (which includes raiding FCS talent) it's a lot harder for such an upset.

Per Wiki FBS went 115-6 in 2024 against FCS teams. One of those was Kennesaw St who just moved to FBS. No P4 teams lost such a game.

View attachment 38793

If a P4 team loses to an FCS team, no matter what, odds are that team was not destined to do anything noteworthy.

K state pulled beating UND out their asses

There is only about 10-15 FCS teams id avoid
But to the common fan there is no difference between northwestern state and western Illinois.

Agree. If you lose to anyone you aren’t going to be a 10 win team?
Not sure that was the point anyone was making?

If you’re a 8-4 team and you play NDSU instead of northwestern state you risk 7-5 for absolutely zero upside

10k tickets times 10 bucks….i guess 100k…less than 1% revenue to risk embarrassment

 

[swede2]

Nobody showing up for Purdue either way?

Yes, historically when the gophers lost to NDSU and USD the fan enthusiasm diminished:
You serious?

I think the fan enthusiasm diminished because the team was not very good. If the team is an 8.5 win team and still competitive but for the loss to a Dakota, you think the bleachers are still empty?

 

[swede2]

Is it really that much of risk currently to schedule a better FCS team with the talent gap widening more than ever? With P4 NIL, revenue sharing & Portal (which includes raiding FCS talent) it's a lot harder for such an upset.

Per Wiki FBS went 115-6 in 2024 against FCS teams. One of those was Kennesaw St who just moved to FBS. No P4 teams lost such a game.

View attachment 38793

If a P4 team loses to an FCS team, no matter what, odds are that team was not destined to do anything noteworthy.

I agree that the gap is widening. The first two weeks of FCS has been topsy turvey. Big roster turnover on top teams every year will be the norm.

 

[BilldGopher]

The original plan was this:

Game 1: Buffalo University
Game 2: Bowling Green University
Game 3: University of California

Seems right level of competition to me to get ready for a B1G+ schedule in an expanded playoff.

Yesterday was fun. But, higher aspirations require higher standards. Whatever this season was meant to be scheduling take it forward as the norm.

Yes, there's a greater chance for an L. But as Walrus used to say, it's the Big 10 wins that make it or break it every year. Better competition at the start has a bigger potential dividend with the B1G schedule to come.

 

[Ope3]

I was fine with your post until the last sentence. One thing CFB does not need more of is neutral site games. Play on campus.

I think it's worth trying, at least once.

Odds are slim it turns out to be like the annual regular season Oklahoma-Texas at the Cotten Bowl or Georgia-Florida at the Gator Bowl fiestas but you never know.

Colorado-Colorado State at Mile High and Kansas-Missouri at Arrowhead occasionally in the past make me think it's worth a shot as a 1-off if the dough works out. Could get some good media attention and eyeballs if done correctly.

I'd rather it be Home & Home with Iowa St. However if it took something like a neutral site game (played in the shadows of the UofM campus no less) to play them at all, I would say do it.

Hypothetically.

 

[highwayman]

I get why the Gophers don't play Iowa St regularly, largely due to their regularly scheduled rivalry game with Iowa.

They should at least play at each other's stadium once per decade. That would just make too much sense.

Even playing at the Zygi Dome once every 4-5 years and split the gate seems like a win-win.

It will never happen with ISU playing Iowa every year.

 

[Ope3]

It will never happen with ISU playing Iowa every year.

If the money is right, "never" can be "occasionally" like once or twice a decade.