Big Ten Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season

By Trevor Jossart | Aug 21, 2017

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 03: Trace McSorley /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 27: Damarius Travis #7, Jaylen Waters #35, and Kamal Martin #49 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate a tackle of Kyle Sweet #17 of the Washington State Cougars during the second half of the Holiday Bowl at at Qualcomm Stadium on December 27, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 27: Damarius Travis #7, Jaylen Waters #35, and Kamal Martin #49 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrate a tackle of Kyle Sweet #17 of the Washington State Cougars during the second half of the Holiday Bowl at at Qualcomm Stadium on December 27, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3. Minnesota cracks top ten in polls

There is a very strong chance that the Minnesota Golden Gophers could begin the schedule with an 8-0 record based on their schedule. Everyone once in a while, the slate of games bounce in your favor. Pairing this with a weak non-conference portion, the Gophers could find themselves highly ranked come November.

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Of course, we have seen this song and dance before. Let’s look at Nebraska from last season.

The Cornhuskers started the season 7-0, but had just one victory over a ranked opponent- a home win over No. 22 Oregon 35-32. The Ducks then went to have an abysmal season, stripping the Huskers of a major quality win and surrounding them with a lot of question marks. Their first true test came at Wisconsin, which they lost in overtime. Following that defeat, the team suffered a 62-3 road loss to Ohio State and a 40-10 road.

Moving back to Minnesota, the Gophers have a fairly easy non-conference with home games against Buffalo and Middle Tennessee sandwiching a contest at Oregon State.

Heading into Big Ten play, the Gophers welcome Maryland, visit Purdue, and then host Michigan State and Illinois in their first four games. It is safe to assume Minnesota will be favored in most, if not all of these games, and will put themselves in great position to win the Big Ten West. Of course, if they want anything more than that- they are going to have to go through the big dogs at the end of their schedule, specifically Michigan and Wisconsin.

Related Story: 5 reasons Minnesota can win the Big Ten West in 2017

Many have the Gophers competing or winning the West division this year, but to do so will have to go through Wisconsin in the regular season finale, whom they have lost 13 straight games to.