NoelarBear
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Ranking the Gophers' opponents from toughest to easiest. - GopherHole.com
After the Gophers finished the 2023 season with a 6-7 record, they would go on to win eight games in 2024, the fourth time in the last six years the Gophers would have at least eight wins under head coach P.J. Fleck. It has been over 100 years since Minnesota has seen consistent success like […]
After the Gophers finished the 2023 season with a 6-7 record, they would go on to win eight games in 2024, the fourth time in the last six years the Gophers would have at least eight wins under head coach P.J. Fleck. It has been over 100 years since Minnesota has seen consistent success like that.
There are plenty of reasons for Gophers fans to be optimistic this upcoming season. They have 11 returning starters from last year, including elite playmakers in running back Darius Taylor and All-American safety Koi Perich. Both players have been named to multiple award watch lists heading into the season. The Gophers’ defensive line is filled with experience, highlighted by stud Anthony Smith, who has everything in his toolbox to be a Day 2 NFL Draft pick. They also picked up quality transfers who should contribute right away.
The Gophers do have some question marks heading into the 2025 season. The wide receiving core is full of talent but inexperienced; it won’t be easy to fill the shoes that Daniel Jackson (75 catches for 863 yards) and Elijah Spencer (52 catches for 684 yards) left. The offense will be led by redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey, who has all the talent and skill to be a Big Ten QB, but how painful will the growing pains be? The offensive line will have a lot of new faces, but the boys up front have the size to play in the Big Ten. How quickly can they gel?
What about the 2025 schedule?
The 2024 schedule was ranked 37th toughest by Phil Steele and 41st toughest by ESPN FPI. This year, Phil Steele has the Gophers' 2025 schedule as the 52nd toughest, and ESPN FPI has the Gophers' strength of schedule set as the 26th strongest in the country. Vegas thinks the Gophers will once again go bowling, as they have their win total set at 6.5.
I took a look at the Gophers’ 2025 schedule and ranked it from toughest to easiest. Let’s dive in…
Toughest to Easiest games for the 2025 Minnesota Gophers.
1. @ Ohio State (October 4)
The Gophers’ first conference road game takes place at the home of the defending national champions. It’s been over 20 years since Minnesota beat the Buckeyes, but the last time the Gophers beat the Buckeyes was in Columbus in 2000. The Buckeyes have won 13 straight over the Gophers.
2. @Oregon (November 14)
This will be the fifth meeting between the two programs as Minnesota travels to Eugene for the first time in program history. The Gophers are 3-1 all-time against the Ducks, winning their last meeting back in 2003. This Friday night game will be nationally televised on FOX. I see the Gophers being massive underdogs against the Ducks and Buckeyes.
3. @ Iowa (October 25)
Kinnick Stadium has not always been kind to the Gophers. Although the last time the Gophers played in Iowa, they won the Floyd of Rosedale after Cooper DeJean committed an Invalid Signal. They look to avenge their horrible loss to the Hawkeyes at home last season by winning in Iowa City on back-to-back trips.
4. Nebraska (Oct 18th)
The Huskers have high aspirations this year for good reason; they have solid pieces coming back on both sides of the ball, along with a manageable schedule, similar to Minnesota. This Friday night game will be huge for both teams. The matchup between these two teams continues to heat up with both fan bases. You don’t have to remind Nebraska fans that P.J. Fleck has won five straight against the Huskers.
5. Michigan State (November 1st)
The Spartans have brought in several playmakers via the transfer portal to go with 15 returning starters from last year. I think this game could be a trap game for Minnesota, as this comes right off their trip to Iowa. The Gophers have won the last two meetings against Michigan State. I think Michigan State could be a sneaky team this year.
6. Rutgers (September 27)
The first Big Ten game for Minnesota will be against a team with a lot of familiar faces on it. Former Minnesota QB Athan Kaliakmanis returns to Dinkytown as the Gophers will look to avenge their embarrassing loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights from a year ago. The Gophers will be coming off a bye before they arguably take Greg Schiano’s best team since his return.
7. Wisconsin (November 19)
Like always, the Gophers’ season ends with playing in one of the nation’s best rivalries in college football. The battle of Paul Bunyan’s Axe. The Badgers will come into town after playing the most challenging schedule in the country. It will be interesting to see what kind of Badgers team rolls into Minneapolis. Records are thrown out the window in games like this.
8. @ California (September 13th)
Hard to find another team that got gutted by the transfer portal more than California. The Bears pretty much lost their entire running back room to the portal last spring. They also lost their All-ACC TE Jack Endries. Outside of their defensive line, every positional group has seen an influx of players from the portal to strengthen the depth. This will be the Gophers’ first road game of the season.
9. Buffalo (August 28)
Gophers open their season against a legitimate Mid-American Conference contender in the Buffalo Bulls. They bring back 16 starters from a team that went 9-4 last year. You don’t need to remind Gopher fans about how Minnesota has struggled against MAC teams lately. How will nerves affect this Minnesota team in their season opener? How will amped up with the team be? That puts this game ahead of other Big Ten games.
10. @ Northwestern (November 22)
This game will be played at Wrigley Field, which should bring in plenty of Gophers fans. Expectations are low for this Wildcat team this year, but don’t tell that to the Gophers. That loss to Northwestern in 2023 would serve as a great lesson to not take this team lightly.
11. Purdue (October 11)
After spring football, Purdue saw over 25 players leave the program. They responded by bringing in over 25 players. After only winning one game last year under Ryan Walters, it is clear that new head coach Barry Odom is rebuilding and restarting. Can’t say I don’t blame him.
12. Northwestern State (September 7th)
The Gophers’ second game of the season is against a lower FCS opponent in the Northwestern State Demons from Louisiana. The Demons start the season with a new head coach in Brad McCorkle, who had success at Belhaven University, a Division III school in Mississippi.
