2025 Minnesota Gophers Football Schedule Released + Early Record Prediction

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P.J. Fleck, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not quite the offseason for the Minnesota Gophers football team. They have seem some players announce their intentions for 2025, but first P.J. Fleck must wear mayonnaise on his head. After the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, then the head coach can turn his attention to next season.

Although that is still a couple of weeks away, the Gophers have announced their schedule for the upcoming season. While Max Brosmer won’t be back, there is plenty of talent to look forward to and this is a team that should compete against all of their opponents.

Seven home games and a special venue for the Gophers

As was the case this year, the Minnesota Gophers will play host to seven opponents at Huntington Bank Stadium. They don’t host Big Ten blue bloods like Ohio State, Michigan, or Penn State, but none of them are on the schedule as road opponents either. Wisconsin will finish the season coming to Minnesota and hopefully leave without the axe once again.

It’s hard not to be excited about the prospects of a strong season based on this schedule. P.J. Fleck’s team avoids some of the Big Ten’s toughest tests, and they get both Michigan State and Nebraska to travel. The trip to Eugene against Oregon in November will be one that Minnesotan’s should circle.

Chicago is not far for Gophers fans in Minnesota, and the road contest against Northwestern takes on greater significance. The friendly confines of Wrigley Field will play host. A hallowed baseball sanctuary transforms for Minnesota as it has on three previous occasions.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Bowl Game Destination and Opponent Revealed

Fleck and the Gophers have just two non-conference opponents in 2025 after three in 2024. Buffalo and Northwestern State are both being paid to come and lose.

How does Minnesota fare in 2025?

With the schedule and game locations now official, it’s worth putting a prediction on the line. It’s pretty straightforward to suggests these games in the categories of wins, losses, and tossups. Of course plenty will depend on how good presumed starter Drake Lindsey winds up being. Darius Taylor and Koi Perich are both back though.

Wins (8): Buffalo, Northwestern State, @ Cal, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, @ Northwestern

This is probably an aggressive stance. Buffalo and Northwestern State should be seen as givens. Neither present the challenge that North Carolina did to start the year. Cal finished 6-6 in 2024, but they were just 2-6 against the conference. Rutgers won’t have Athan Kaliakmanis, and Fleck needs to avenge an ugly loss. Purdue is still a doormat, and Michigan State isn’t what they once were.

Nebraska and Northwestern are easily the most questionable inclusions here. Dylan Riola is just a freshman, and he beat some legitimate competition this past season. The Wildcats aren’t great, but what will likely be a nationally televised game at Wrigley Field throws a wrench into things.

Losses (2): @ Ohio State, @ Oregon

These are straightforward. No matter how good Lindsey winds up being, it’s just not plausible that the Gophers will knock either of the conference’s best teams off on the road. Will Howard is gone next season, but the Buckeyes will have an answer regardless of whether Ryan Day is canned or not.

The Ducks were perfect in their first season as a member of the Big Ten. Dillon Gabriel graduates, but Dante Moore was already recruited by Dan Lanning to be the next man up. Oregon is a team that could run the table in consecutive seasons.

Tossups (2): @ Iowa, Wisconsin

Minnesota should have beat the Hawkeyes this season. The Gophers came out strong and Fleck forgot how to coach in the second half. It doesn’t get easier having to go to Kinnick Stadium next year. Iowa can’t ever figure out how to put points on the board, so that always leaves them susceptible to a defeat.

There’s no reason why Wisconsin won’t be beatable again next season. Luke Fickell doesn’t look cut out for the Big Ten, and the Badgers aren’t much of a competitor. That said, rivalry games bring out the best in everyone and it would be foolish to just immediately circle Minnesota as a winner here.

Related: Two Minnesota Gophers Football Stars Announce Return for 2025 Season 

There’s a real path to a ten win season, and that would be insane for Fleck. Even losing to a pair of the best teams in the Big Ten, Minnesota should find itself in a legitimate bowl game if this is the ultimate result.

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