Part one with the opening six games can be found here
Home against Illinois, Oct. 21
The Illinois offense was atrocious, scoring a meager 19.7 points per game last season, ranking them 125th in the country. The defense, for their part, gave up 31 points per game and 405 yards. While Lovie Smith has not been at the school very long, the desired effect he was supposed to have last season definitely did not kick in. On offense, there were a variety of quarterbacks and the best running back, Reggie Corbin, had only 523 yards. This team is still very much in rebuild mode, which should make for an easy victory, as Minnesota knows exactly who they are as a team and what they do well: Win the game in the trenches on both ends.
- Verdict: Minnesota wins, 31-17
- Record: 7-0
Away against Iowa, Oct. 28
Minnesota and Iowa is one of the big rivalry games that the Gophers will play this season, with the Gophers leading the series that goes back to 1891, 62-46-2. While the Gophers own the biggest win in the rivalry with a 75-0 win in 1903 as well as a 12-game winning streak that spanned from 1891-1916, the Hawkeyes have had the advantage of late, going 7-3 over the last 10 and are currently on a two-game winning streak. Last season, Iowa’s defense only let up 17 points per game, sticking to the standard of a formidable defense which has been the hallmark of the team for years. However, last season defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson, corner Desmond King and quarterback C.J. Beathard all went to the NFL after stellar seasons. This is a squad that will need to fill a lot of holes and even though the away game in Iowa may seem daunting, the Gophers are really good at running the ball and getting to what will be a fresh Iowa quarterback.
- Verdict: Minnesota wins, 17-10
- Record: 8-0
Away against Michigan, Nov. 4
The Michigan squad also lost a good deal of talent, but this road trip does not fare as well for the Gophers. The Wolverines are far deeper, with players like running back Chris Evans and safety Josh Metellus (15 tackles and a sack) ready to step up and fill the holes in the starting roster. Jim Harbaugh is also a phenomenal recruiter and has had a full offseason to bulk up the roster. This team has also historically dominated the Gophers, beating them 74-25-2 since 1892. The Gophers have only won twice since 1987 and to top it off, the Wolverines were flawless at home last season. Even on a down year, Michigan has this team on the ropes as soon as they enter the building.
- Verdict: Minnesota loses, 31-25
- Record: 8-1
Home against Nebraska, Nov. 11
The Cornhuskers have had a long transition period, as one of the more fascinating remodels began with a team dedicated to hard-nosed defense and attempted a change with the fast pace of the spread offense. The result was a defensive hit that has been long and notably disruptive for the team’s production, with the defense ranking outside the top-40 in total defense from 2011-15, dropping all the way out of the top-60 twice. Last season was the first time the defense showed signs of life in years, when the squad ranked 19th by only giving up 22 points per game. It seems like an encouraging mark to hit and makes a team that has gone 4-2 over the last six Gopher meetings seem more intimidating, despite the loss of Cornhusker quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. The Nebraska defense was able to secure 16 interceptions and 44 defended passes. This revamped Cornhusker defense will help them stun the Gophers at home.
- Verdict: Minnesota loses, 28-26
- Record: 8-2
Away against Northwestern, Nov. 18
This is the game for the Gophers to get back on track, with a middle-of-the-road Wildcats team on the road that only averaged 26 points per game for Minnesota to defend. The .500 team let up 265 yards per game and mid-November should be plenty of time for either Demry Croft or Conor Rhoda to establish themselves as the starter and be comfortable enough to pull serious weight in a game when called upon. The Gophers do not need a Heisman candidate at signal caller, but in games like this one, they do need a quarterback to burn a weak Big Ten secondary for 300 yards. With running backs like Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, who both catch the ball out of the backfield or slot, the job is made easier. Paired with a nice Minnesota defense faced up against a lackluster Northwestern offense and this should make for a low-pressure game for the quarterback to step up.
- Verdict: Minnesota wins, 41-27
- Record: 9-2
Home against Wisconsin, Nov. 25
Despite the Badgers’ active 13-game winning streak, the pair of rivals are locked up in a 59-59 all-time tie in the face off that hearkens back to 1890, when Minnesota beat Wisconsin, 63-0. Now the Gophers get the Badgers at home, but this is a matchup that favors Wisconsin. The offense was nothing impressive and only averaged 28 points per game, the defense is what came to play every week. They only let up 15.5 points per week and gave up an average of 96 rushing yards per game. The strength of the team is in the defense, whether they are getting to the quarterback for 34 sacks or stuffing the run, this defense will be the controlling force in the football game. The Gophers will have to run back the quarterback next season.
- Verdict: Minnesota loses, 27-16
- Record: 9-3
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