Will the Gophers be Bowl Eligible this year?

The Minnesota Golden Gophers currently sit at a 4-3 (2-2) record through eight weeks. After going 2-1 in the non-conference and 2-2 so far in the Big Ten. So what does the road to being bowl-eligible look like for this team? Let’s take a look at their remaining schedule and how they match up, as well as a quick prediction. 

• Vs. University of Maryland

• • • Maryland has had a rollercoaster of a season so far but is a very similar team to Minnesota. They are a couple of plays away from 5-2, but currently sit at 4-3, with their biggest win also coming against the USC Trojans. Maryland looks to throw the ball often, mainly to Tai Felton and Kaden Prather. They have essentially abandoned the run game, as they have averaged nearly 50 passing attempts over their last three games. Their defense is where things flip from Minnesota, as they are strong against the run and susceptible to the pass. This will be a very back-and-forth game, but it will ultimately come down to who can finish drives with touchdowns and get the timely stops on defense. 
    • Preseason Prediction: Minnesota 27 – Maryland 9
    • Updated Prediction: Minnesota 31 – Maryland 28

• @ University of Illinois

• • • If it wasn’t for the Indiana Hoosiers being undefeated, the Fighting Illini would be the Cinderella story being talked about in the BIG10. Bret Bielema’s squad has shattered expectations but has a huge matchup against Oregon before welcoming Minnesota. Illinois plays with a very balanced offense, wins the field position battle, and tries to suffocate on defense. They are executing BIG10 West football to a very high level so far this season. P.J. Fleck has yet to defeat Bret Bielema in his career. If he would like to accomplish that this year, it will take a great performance on the road. 
    • Preseason Prediction: Minnesota 34 – Illinois 10
    • Updated Prediction: Minnesota 17 – Illinois 21

• @ University of Rutgers

• • • The Scarlett Knights’s hot start has cooled off in recent weeks, and inconsistent play at QB has been the main reason why. Athan Kaliakmanis’ play of late has left much to be desired for Rutgers, as well as their defense allowing 42 and 35 points to Wisconsin and UCLA. They will have some time to get things figured out on those fronts, but the mainstay of this team is their elite back Kyle Monangai. Minnesota has lost three games in which they played running backs of this caliber, so it will be a big test for Corey Hetherman’s group to try and slow him down. Their defense has been beaten through the air and on the ground in recent weeks. Leaving the door open for Greg Harbaugh Jr. to pick his poison to try and exploit the Scarlett Knight defense. 
    • Preseason Prediction: Minnesota 20 – Rutgers 10
    • Updated Prediction: Minnesota 23 – Rutgers 21

• Vs. Penn State University
  • • Minnesota’s toughest test comes into Minneapolis in week 12 against the Nittany Lions. Drew Allar and company have been rolling so far this year, as they currently sit at number 3 in the nation. They run a very well-balanced offensive attack and can rely on their stud backs or Allar’s arm for long periods of time if needed. As for their defense, they rush the passer very well and have done a very good job at limiting explosive plays. This game will not quite be at the same level of the battle of unbeatens from 2019, but Minnesota will still have the chance to play playoff spoiler in their last home game of the year. 

• • • Preseason Prediction: Minnesota 20 – Penn State 38
    • Updated Prediction: Minnesota 20 – Penn State 29
  • @ University of Wisconsin
  • • The final week sees Minnesota head to Madison for the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Wisconsin has been up and down this season, but have finally begun to settle in after losing their starting QB and RB. Braedyn Locke has improved week after week and Tawee Walker looks like a stud so far. They sit at 5-2 currently with some tough tests upcoming, meaning this game could likely be for bowl positioning, as well as the Axe. This rivalry always creates some very close-knit games, and with how Minnesota and Wisconsin matchup this year, it does not look to be any different. It will be a back and forth battle, but being in Wisconsin and it likely being cold, the team that can run the ball better will likely be the one to come out on top.
    • Preseason Prediction: Minnesota 20 – Wisconsin 24
    • Updated Prediction: Minnesota 16 – Wisconsin 17

Minnesota’s remaining schedule has a ceiling of finishing 8-4 and a floor of finishing 5-7. Every week this year in the BIG10 has been a dog fight and there are absolutely not easy victories. With that being said, these teams that the Gophers play could look drastically different in the coming weeks, as they continue to get better and better as the season goes on. The Gophers will need to get back to full health and continue the play they have shown against USC and UCLA in order to get to the bowl eligibility mark.