The Minnesota Gophers are set to play 12 teams during the regular 2025 season.
After losing starting quarterback Max Brosmer to the NFL, the Gophers will most likely be starting redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey. Lindsey played in only three games last year, all of which the Gophers had strong leads in.
This upcoming year will show how Lindsey fares in close, under-pressure games. Out of the Gophers’ 12 games, seven of them will be played on home turf at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Here is what’s in store for the Gophers:
Week 1: Aug 28 vs. Buffalo
Week 2: Sep 6 vs. Northwestern State
Week 3: Sep 13 at Cal
Week 4: BYE
Week 5: Sep 27 vs. Rutgers (Start of conference games)
Week 6: Oct 4 at Ohio State
Week 7: Oct 11 vs. Purdue (Homecoming)
Week 8: Oct 17 vs. Nebraska
Week 9: Oct 25 at. Iowa
Week 10: Nov 1 vs. Michigan State
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: Nov 14 at Oregon
Week 13: Nov 22 at Northwestern
Week 14: Nov 29 vs. Wisconsin (Axe Game)
There is a strong chance that with this schedule, the Gophers’ best case would be going 10-2, but there is a chance the Gophers could finish the year 9-3. Some of the biggest toss-up games are Iowa and Wisconsin, both schools with which Minnesota has some deep history.
Aside from the fact that the Badgers are the Gophers’ biggest rivals, their past Axe games have been close as well. The Gophers and Badgers are tied at 63-63 all-time.
In 2024, Minnesota brought the Axe back home after losing it in 2023. While the Gophers dominated the Badgers last year, many wonder the ways in which Wisconsin might have improved in the offseason.
One of the main talking points is their defense. Last year, one of the team’s biggest weaknesses was their defense, leading the Badgers to lose 24-7 during last year’s Axe game. However, if Wisconsin can improve their defense for the 2025 season, then the Axe game will be much closer than last year.
Final prediction for the game is Minnesota wins 34-31.
The other big toss-up game is against Iowa, another Minnesota rival. Some of the Gophers’ toughest games will be away games like Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa.
Since 1891, the Gophers have beaten the Hawkeyes 63 times, while losing 53 times. The Gophers lost last year at home against Iowa 31-14. However, in the 2023 season, the Gophers took home the bronze pig known as the Floyd of Rosedale for the first time since 2014.
This game will be when the work for Lindsey and new defensive coordinator Danny Collins needs to shine through. Without a doubt, this will be an intense game for the Gophers, as it often is.
This game will test the strength of Lindsey as well as the strength of our defense. Despite it being a close game and a strong chance that Minnesota could bring back the pig, the final prediction is Iowa wins 21-17.
Some games that will most likely end in a loss for the Gophers are Ohio State and Oregon. These two teams have both strong offense and defensive players.
They were two of the strongest teams in the Big Ten last season, with Oregon’s record overall being 13-1, their only loss against Ohio State during the Rose Bowl. While Ohio State’s record was 14-2, with their only losses being against Oregon and Michigan in the regular season, before they won the National Championship.
Since 1921, the Gophers have beaten the Buckeyes seven times, while losing 48. The last time the Gophers beat Ohio State was 25 years ago.
The Buckeyes’ strong defense is something that the Gophers have yet to be able to crack, and will lead the final prediction to be Ohio State winning 31-3.
As for Oregon, their history with Minnesota is limited.
The last time the Ducks and the Gophers faced off was in 2003, where the Gophers won 31-30. Both programs have grown dramatically in recent years.
With the combination of it being a home game and their strong performance from last season, the final prediction will be Oregon wins 38-24.
The overall final prediction for the Gophers 2025 regular season are wins against Buffalo, Northwestern State, Cal, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern and Wisconsin.
Finishing the season with a 9-3 record and a bowl game.