BleedGopher
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Per Paul Harvey:
However, one potential problem that I see is the defense. The Gophers finished 70th in the country with 26.7 points per game last season only to watch defensive coordinator Joe Rossi get scooped up by new Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith.
The nonconference schedule is manageable and could lead to some false expectations entering the B1G slate. But on a game-by-game breakdown in the new-look B1G, I just don’t see many wins for the Gophers.
saturdaytradition.com
Go Gophers!!
Week 1: vs. UNC (W)
UNC rolled up 500 yards in a blowout win in 2023. This time, the Gophers have a few things going for them. The Tar Heels are replacing superstar QB Drake Maye, and the season-opener is in Minneapolis. This figures to be low-scoring with 2 offenses trying to find their footing. That will tilt this matchup in favor of Minnesota at home.Week 2: vs. Rhode Island (W)
Rhode Island is an FCS program and far from a powerhouse at that level. The Rams have 3 all-time appearances in the FCS Playoffs, all in the 1980s. If Minnesota can squeak past UNC in the opener, Rhode Island presents a great opportunity for the offense to even out some kinks and the defense to empty the roster early in the season.Week 3: vs. Nevada (W)
Projecting Nevada’s performance this fall is tricky. The Wolf Pack went 4-20 the past 2 seasons under Ken Wilson and hired Jeff Choate in the offseason to rebuild the program. Choate previously had things cooking with Montana State in the FCS, going 28-22 overall with a pair of playoff appearances before joining Steve Sarkisian’s Texas staff from 2021-23. Choate was able to pull several former Power 5 prospects to Nevada via the transfer portal this offseason. But until the Wolf Pack put it all on the field, it’s hard to believe they will be cohesive early in the season. Simply put: Minnesota better not lose this game.Week 4: vs. Iowa (L)
It’s far from a guarantee, but Minnesota has a solid shot at beginning the season with an undefeated mark in nonconference play. The Gophers also get their first B1G game at home, and it’s sure to be a heated rivalry showdown with Iowa. Everyone remembers the drama and controversy that decided last year’s game in Iowa City. Unfortunately, I have Iowa a few legs up on Minnesota, provided the injury bug does not decimate the Hawkeyes yet again. An earlier-than-expected date for the rivalry series in the new B1G, Phil Parker’s defense could be the story in this matchup.Week 5: at Michigan (L)
The Little Brown Jug series leans heavily in favor of Michigan, and recent history has been very unkind to the Gophers. The Wolverines have won 4 straight since 2015, including 3 straight wins by 23+ points. Some major roster (and coaching staff) turnover for Michigan means this one will probably not be quite as ugly as Michigan’s 52-10 win last season. But the Gophers still have too much ground to make up for this one to remain competitive in Ann Arbor.Week 6: vs. USC (L)
Lincoln Riley will be under a microscope this season, and I could see USC’s final record playing out several different ways. However, the Trojans’ talent level should keep the program competitive in its first B1G season. Minnesota might be able to make this game interesting at the line of scrimmage, but that will not be enough to fully overcome USC’s offensive firepower.Week 7: at UCLA (L)
Minnesota has a chance to regroup and regain some momentum at this point in the season, and this is around the area where I think the offense as a group will begin hitting its stride. That makes it a rotten trick that the schedule makers gave the Gophers a California road trip in Week 7. On the surface, I think UCLA and Minnesota are rather evenly matched, but that travel component will weigh on a Gophers team that is reeling a bit after 2 road games in 3 weeks.Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. Maryland (W)
Maryland and Minnesota have been evenly matched during their games as B1G members, but PJ Fleck has gotten the best of Mike Locksley over the years. Locksley’s Terrapins are 0-2 on the road in Minneapolis and his 1 win against the Gophers was a 45-44 shootout in the COVID season. This year’s game is at home, so look for the defense to take advantage.Week 10: at Illinois (L)
Bret Bielema and PJ Fleck have produced 3 hard-fought games since Bielema arrived in Champaign, and he’s found a way to win every time. Bielema has won the close games on the road and performed even better against the Gophers in Champaign. If Minnesota’s offense rebounds under a new starting QB, it’s possible the offense travels enough to win this one. But I’m leaning toward Illinois with the facts currently in front of us.Week 11: at Rutgers (L)
Minnesota and Rutgers only have 3 head-to-head meetings in the B1G. The Gophers are 3-0, but they haven’t faced a roster as deep and veteran-laden as this Scarlet Knights team. Fans will get no joy from facing former Minnesota QB Athan Kaliakmanis, but he is likely to be the piece to elevate Rutgers’ potential this fall. It will sting watching Kaliakmanis lead Rutgers past Minnesota in the middle of a breakthrough year for the Scarlet Knights.Week 12: BYE
Week 13: vs. Penn State (L)
After a resounding upset by Minnesota in the 2019 matchup, Penn State got some revenge with a 45-17 beatdown at home in 2022. This year’s game will come in Minneapolis, but the final outcome is likely to be closer to the 2022 version. The Nittany Lions are among the top teams in the Big Ten Championship odds, and the depth of James Franklin’s program will win out this late in the season.Week 14: at Wisconsin (L)
Even with Wisconsin’s dominance in the rivalry since the mid-1990s, the Badgers only hold a 63-62-8 all-time series lead after a win in 2023. Paul Bunyan’s Axe is one of the best and most coveted rivalry trophies in the sport, and the nature of the series makes it hard to predict this one. Expect another close game that could hinge on a single play late in the 4th quarter. But since it’s going to be at Camp Randall Stadium, I’ll lean toward Luke Fickell moving to 2-0 against Fleck.2024 Projection: 4-8 (1-8)
I truly wanted to be optimistic about Minnesota’s season. The Gophers did some nice work in the transfer portal, and the offense will be better because of it.However, one potential problem that I see is the defense. The Gophers finished 70th in the country with 26.7 points per game last season only to watch defensive coordinator Joe Rossi get scooped up by new Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith.
The nonconference schedule is manageable and could lead to some false expectations entering the B1G slate. But on a game-by-game breakdown in the new-look B1G, I just don’t see many wins for the Gophers.
Tradition Crystal Ball: Predicting every Minnesota football game in 2024
Minnesota won another bowl game despite failing to reach 6 regular season wins in 2023. Can the Gophers rebound to make a bowl game the old-fashioned way in 2024?
saturdaytradition.com
Go Gophers!!
