Big Ten Football 2015: Ranking the schedules
By Mark Rogers
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
5. Minnesota Golden Gophers
We got a first glimpse of how good TCU would be in 2014 when the Horned Frogs rolled the Golden Gophers in Dallas-Forth Worth 30-7. The Gophers get the return visit to open the season on Thursday night. Is Minnesota ready for the speed and athleticism of Trevone Boykin, Josh Doctson and company? Win or lose, a strong showing may serve notice to the rest of the Big Ten West.
The Gophers follow-up the opener with a tricky test at Colorado State. The Rams boast one of the best wideouts in the nation in Rashard Higgins, but are missing head coach Jim McElwain and quarterback Garrett Grayson from last year’s 11-3 team. Minnesota then meets the MAC with Kent State and Ohio University coming to the Twin Cities. The Gophers open the Big Ten slate at Northwestern. A tough three game stretch vs Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State highlights the schedule.
Minnesota hopes the visit from Wisconsin to close the season brings division title implications.
Next: Michigan State