Minnesota Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

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Nov 30, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) carries the ball as Wisconsin Badgers safety Eric Burrell (25) defends in the second half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Game 5: vs. Purdue

Purdue is a real wildcard this season. If they can find a quarterback, they’ll make some noise.

Purdue returns one of the best receiving duos in the nation in superstar Rondale Moore and sophomore David Bell. But again, they need to find someone to get the ball to them.

They also need some help on defense, and they’re looking to former UConn head coach Bob Diaco for assistance. Diaco turned Notre Dame’s defense into a power, especially in 2012, but don’t expect an overnight change into the Boilermakers becoming an elite defense.

Quarterback questions and defensive inefficiencies are just too much to overcome against a team as loaded and well coached as Minnesota. Purdue could ruin someone’s season, but it won’t be this one.

Prediction: Purdue 20, Minnesota 31 (5-0)

Game 6: at Wisconsin

Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

If you think about it, a lot of Minnesota’s successes can be traced back to this game in 2018, Minnesota was 5-6, needing a win to make a bowl going against a good but disappointing Wisconsin team. Minnesota put their all into the game and not only did they win, they won convincingly, 37-15. You could see the players truly start to believe in what PJ Fleck was trying to sell.

Wisconsin is another common pick to win the West but they have a few more key questions to answer before people go all in on them again.

First and foremost, they need to replace Jonathan Taylor. Replacing one of the best players in school history is never easy, but it feels like that’s said about every Wisconsin running back that’s left since the Ron Dayne days. Wisconsin always manages to find a better running back than the previous and no matter how often you see it, it’s never any less impressive. They also need to find a replacement at quarterback for Jack Coan, who had foot surgery earlier this month.

The biggest plus for Wisconsin is always among their strengths: defense. Nine starters return from a dominant defense that allowed under 17 points per game.

Like the Gophers, Wisconsin misses Ohio State and Penn State in the crossover. This game could be the de-facto Big Ten West title game. Neither team can win the division without first winning this game.

Prediction: Minnesota 30, Wisconsin 27 (6-0)

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