Week 8 Big Ten Power Rankings

BleedGopher

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STrib chimes in:

10. Gophers (4-2, 2-1): For the second time in two Big Ten home games, the Gophers erased a double-digit deficit. This time, it was Drake Lindsey and Koi Perich making the key plays in a 27-20 win.


Go Gophers!!
 

Fox Sports chimes in:

Minnesota Golden Gophers
#10 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Previously ranked: 13

4-2, 2-1

Result: 27-20 home win over Purdue

For so much of head coach P.J. Fleck’s tenure at Minnesota, which dates to 2017, the Gophers have consistently fielded one of the more productive rushing offenses in the country. Their average national ranking in terms of yards per game from 2017-23 was 44th, and Minnesota peaked with two top-30 finishes in 2021 (27th) and 2022 (16th). But now, for the second straight season, Fleck’s group has drifted outside the top 100 nationally due in large part to turnover along the offensive line and injuries at the running back position. And so on Saturday night against Purdue, with its rushing offense sputtering once again, the Gophers leaned on their defense to secure the victory.

Star safety Koi Perich, an All-American in 2024, returned an interception 27 yards for a game-winning touchdown with 7:40 remaining to ensure last week’s embarrassing loss to No. 1 Ohio State didn’t bleed into a second straight defeat. Perich’s score came seven seconds after Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey threw a 4-yard touchdown to tight end Jameson Geers, disorienting the Boilermakers when it mattered most. Those touchdowns helped the Gophers offset a minus-194 discrepancy in total yards. Minnesota will now host No. 25 Nebraska on Friday night in a nationally televised game (8 p.m. ET on FOX).


Go Gophers!!
 


Something called TWSN chimes in:

#11 Minnesota (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) Last Week #12

Week 7: 27-20 WIN vs Purdue

Week 8: vs Nebraska, 8:00 PM, FOX (Friday)


The Gophers have a chance to ruin their forced-conference realignment “rival” CFB Playoff hopes with a win Friday night. To do so, they’re going to need more out of their run game, as they managed just 30 yards on 18 carries this past week.


Go Gophers!!
 



Wolverines Wire chimes in:

13. Minnesota

This week: W, vs. Purdue, 27-20

Previous ranking: 13

Hi/Lo: 13/14

After losing to Ohio State last week, Minnesota had to hold on for dear life against a resurgent Purdue team. A game-changing pick-six by star safety Koi Perich helped cement the win for the Gophers -- especially needed considering that the run game for the offense was nonexistent, with 30 yards. Drake Lindsey passed OK, with 232 yards, but only while averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. A come-from-behind victory shouldn't have been necessary, but Minnesota, most importantly, found a way.


Go Gophers!!
 

Saturday Blitz chimes in:

11. Minnesota

Minnesota Golden Gophers​

4-2 (2-1) | Last Week: 13

Early on, it looked like Minnesota might fall to Purdue, but PJ Fleck's team came alive in the 4th quarter to win this game. Drake Lindsey found Jameson Geers in the 4th quarter to tie the game before Koi Perich delivered a game-winning pick-six. This team needs to do a much better job playing consistently for 4 quarters, but they have the talent to pull off some big upsets.


Go Gophers!!
 

Trojans Wire chimes in:

12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-2)​

The Boilermakers hung around a little more than they should have against Minnesota, but this is the usual frisky Gophers team that is not an elite or top-tier team. They are still growing with young quarterback Drake Lindsey. Minnesota will need their star back, Darius Taylor, to return to form and get back to elite play against Nebraska on Friday for them to have any shot.


Go Gophers!!
 

Buckeyes Wire chimes in:

10. Minnesota

Last Week's Result: Won 27-20 vs. Purdue

Last Week Ranking: 12 ⇧ (up two spots)

Next Game: vs. Nebraska

What goes into the ranking​

Like a P.J. Fleck team often does, especially at home, Minnesota just found a way to win against Purdue. Quarterback Drake Lindsey didn't have the best game, throwing the ball 45 times in the game and only completing 21 of those, but he made plays when he had to. It feels like every week is going to come down to the wire with the Golden Gophers.


Go Gophers!!
 



Ducks Wire chimes in:

13. Minnesota

Game Result: W 27-20 vs. Purdue

Previous Ranking: 12

What's Next: vs. Nebraska

Analysis: While it’s concerning that the Golden Gophers needed a late push to avoid a disappointing loss to Purdue at home, they got the win in the end. Quarterback Drake Lindsey completed just 21 of his 45 passes and was intercepted once while star running back Darius Taylor averaged just 2.3 yards per carry on 14 attempts. A Koi Perich pick-six saved the day, with the Golden Gophers defense holding strong after the eventual game-winning defensive score.


Go Gophers!!
 





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