The Gophers have played Dakota schools five times in recent years. In those match ups, the Gophers have lost three times and the two wins were so frustrating and hollow that they actually damaged the program. NDSU, USD, and SDSU feature too many players the U of M overlooked and who treat a game against the Gophers as a bowl game and chance to settle scores. The Gophers would get bodies in the stadium and money in the bank account, but would sacrifice some of the home field advantage. If they win handily, it's dismissed as what they're supposed to do. If they barely win, the fan base is demoralized. If they lose, it's a true disaster. All in all, these potential pitfalls are not the reason you play FCS schools. Better to bring in the likes of New Hampshire and get an easy, low stress win than put up with the hassles, potential and actual, that Dakota schools bring.