Thoughts on 2026?

[Eastside Forever]

Not sure I agree on Miss St. This year was the third season in a row they have not been good. Twelve wins overall and only two conference wins in those three seasons.

Hope you're right, but, pride may kick in for them to play a great game.

 

[Eastside Forever]

Those cowbell jingling nincompoops? Bah, balderdash!

When we go there in '27 those bells will be going crazy!

 

[pharmacygopher]

When we go there in '27 those bells will be going crazy!

I'm already dreading it lol

Unless my group goes picks a SEC school for our football trip next year, Mississippi State will be my first SEC experience. Excited for it.

 

[btowngopher]

I can’t in good conscience label Iowa 50/50 ever at this point.

Wisconsin isn’t either.

 

[gophmeister]

When we go there in '27 those bells will be going crazy!

I’ve run a couple dozen marathons so I am ready.

 

[minnyrules11]

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

Why is this an easy schedule? Mississippi has a gem of a qb that was a freshman this year and be full time starter next. Go watch some highlights. Looks like Vince Young running the ball. Wondering if we can contain him or at least outscore him. Also got a 5 star recruit today.

Michigan and Iowa at home.

@Washington and Penn St. Might be the first time Minnesota has ever had a higher recruiting class than Nittany Lions. Perhaps WI doesn’t figure it out.

I think 8-4 would be considered a good year. I don’t think any games are completely un winnable like Ohio State or Oregon but it’s not cupcake schedule either.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

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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Going to Washington?

Supposed to be one of the best venues to take in a game, too bad it’s at the end of the season and not closer to the beginning.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

There is now so much parity from teams 4 - 15 or so in the B1G. This year could’ve been 4-8 just as easily as 8-4, and I see no reason next year will be drastically different unless MN either brings in a huge infusion of talent in the portal or suffers some major setbacks like injuries, transfers out, etc. There were some young contributors this year, but not enough that I’m confident a year of typical development will be enough to push MN up to new heights. Let’s see what Santa brings in the portal and go from there.

I’d agree with that

 

[minnyrules11]

Going to Washington?

Supposed to be one of the best venues to take in a game, too bad it’s at the end of the season and not closer to the beginning.

We don’t have the date other than non conference and WI last game of year.

 

[Arminius]

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

Until the first four games in 2026...6-6 based on the coaching in 2025. Sorry. I am a DINK!

 

[GopherGuy82]

Why is this an easy schedule? Mississippi has a gem of a qb that was a freshman this year and be full time starter next. Go watch some highlights. Looks like Vince Young running the ball. Wondering if we can contain him or at least outscore him. Also got a 5 star recruit today.

Michigan and Iowa at home.

@Washington and Penn St. Might be the first time Minnesota has ever had a higher recruiting class than Nittany Lions. Perhaps WI doesn’t figure it out.

I think 8-4 would be considered a good year. I don’t think any games are completely un winnable like Ohio State or Oregon but it’s not cupcake schedule either.

Your last sentence is why it is easy. They can beat anyone on the schedule (Maybe not Indiana). Penn State is currently down. Michigan hasn't been dominant Michigan for a couple years. Mississippi State was 5-7 this year. That doesn't mean they can't be better but I don't fear them. I'm not saying the Gophers will pull off another 2019 but if they are going to do it next year is the schedule to pull it off. Hell this year should have been an easy year to be 9-3 if they were an above average to good team. Why is it crazy to think that they could do similar or better without Ohio State or Oregon on the schedule? They really need to fix the oline, running game and secondary but if they figure some things out it's there for the taking.