Thoughts on 2026?

gopher56

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I was reviewing our schedule next year (actually just to see about traveling to a game) and next year can either go really good, or go horrible I feel. The first 3 game **should** be layups, but can't ever put it past the Gophers to let one get away. Though i think Mississipi State is okay?

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

@Indiana - L
Iowa - 50/50 - though i feel better about it being at home and i think they will have a new QB?
Michigan - I have them as an L, but if their QB does not progress, i feel we could put up points if our O is more efficient
Northwestern - W, not super confident about this one, but it's at home
UCLA - W - Another new coach, and at home
@Penn State - W - I can't figure out what is going on with this team, they still don't have a coach and are going to miss an entire recruiting cycle
@Purdue - W
@Washington - L
@Wisconsin - 50/50

I think the Vegas line will be only 5.5 coming into next year, but from a fan perspective I think a relatively optimistic season could be 8-4 or even 9-3 if we pull out one we shouldn't (and not lose the ones we shouldn't)


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We usually take at least one loss that we "shouldn't" so who knows.

Is this offense going to run 2nd to last in the B1G in yards per game? if so bowl game might be difficult ...
 

Mississippi State will be a true test for sure. Not a guaranteed win at all. But I believe we take down the Michiganders at home in OUR HOUSE. Other than that? Only the gods know.
 



I was reviewing our schedule next year (actually just to see about traveling to a game) and next year can either go really good, or go horrible I feel. The first 3 game **should** be layups, but can't ever put it past the Gophers to let one get away. Though i think Mississipi State is okay?

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

@Indiana - L
Iowa - 50/50 - though i feel better about it being at home and i think they will have a new QB?
Michigan - I have them as an L, but if their QB does not progress, i feel we could put up points if our O is more efficient
Northwestern - W, not super confident about this one, but it's at home
UCLA - W - Another new coach, and at home
@Penn State - W - I can't figure out what is going on with this team, they still don't have a coach and are going to miss an entire recruiting cycle
@Purdue - W
@Washington - L
@Wisconsin - 50/50

I think the Vegas line will be only 5.5 coming into next year, but from a fan perspective I think a relatively optimistic season could be 8-4 or even 9-3 if we pull out one we shouldn't (and not lose the ones we shouldn't)


View attachment 40595
That's not the order they are necessarily going to be played, other than the 1st 3 and Wisconsin. Would never have 4 on the road to close season.
 

All things considered that is an easy schedule. If they can't capitalize on that one they will be kicking themselves.
 

I was reviewing our schedule next year (actually just to see about traveling to a game) and next year can either go really good, or go horrible I feel. The first 3 game **should** be layups, but can't ever put it past the Gophers to let one get away. Though i think Mississipi State is okay?

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

@Indiana - L
Iowa - 50/50 - though i feel better about it being at home and i think they will have a new QB?
Michigan - I have them as an L, but if their QB does not progress, i feel we could put up points if our O is more efficient
Northwestern - W, not super confident about this one, but it's at home
UCLA - W - Another new coach, and at home
@Penn State - W - I can't figure out what is going on with this team, they still don't have a coach and are going to miss an entire recruiting cycle
@Purdue - W
@Washington - L
@Wisconsin - 50/50

I think the Vegas line will be only 5.5 coming into next year, but from a fan perspective I think a relatively optimistic season could be 8-4 or even 9-3 if we pull out one we shouldn't (and not lose the ones we shouldn't)


View attachment 40595
Outside of the 3 with actual dates they're in alphabetical order. B1G dates haven't been announced yet. wisconsin will be the final game of course
 




I think this is the year. Drake breaks out, more experienced players in every position group improve the team all around, and Koi gets out of his sophomore slump. There is an argument to be made for a 2019-esque season. I think we can at least manage 9-3. Something to revisit after the portal window but I think a 7-5 floor and 10-2 ceiling is where we’ll end up. So much potential on both sides of the ball.
 


It's pointless to forecast the 2026 season until the portal window is closed.
 

Weird schedule too 7 of the first 8 games are at home. Then on the road 4 straight weeks to close out the season. Not good.

View attachment 40595

None of the Conference Games have the Dates been determined. Those are simply listed alphabetically except for some reason UCLA is in the middle.
 



It's pointless to forecast the 2026 season until the portal window is closed.
I don't disagree, but outside of say all the good players bolting or something like that ... it's not like we know anything after we swap out and in a bunch of portal guys unless we mysteriously pickup Steve Montana in the portal ;)
 




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