Penn State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 15: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions throws a pass for a touchdown against the Kent State Golden Flashes during the second half at Beaver Stadium on September 15, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 01: Evan Schwan #94 of the Penn State Nittany Lions blocks Jonah Pirsig #79 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the second half during the game at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2016 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Penn State will start November with an extra week to prepare before traveling to Minnesota. The bad news for the Lions is the Gophers will also have the extra week to prepare in addition to getting the home game.

Is this the year that PJ Fleck and the Gophers take the next step? Northwestern won the Big Ten West a year ago and the division looks wide open with six teams in contention (sorry Illinois).

The Gopher offense has great depth at wide receiver with Tyler Johnson being the star. The running backs will carry the load so if the Gophers can get consistent quarterback play, this offense has the potential to be great.

This will be a tough road test for the Lions. While on paper they probably look better than the Gophers, it means nothing. Fleck will have his team ready for this one.

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