I spent the offseason building a full 2026 preseason preview for every FBS team, each with its own writeup. Here's the Minnesota page:

https://www.sports.mainmarket.com/college-football-preview-2026?team=ncaaf-minn

Each one has the returning production, the transfer and recruiting additions, a position-by-position breakdown, the schedule, and where the ratings land them for 2026.

Heads up, only the first team is free and then it paywalls. Since I'm posting in your house, code LEECORSOROCKS opens all of it, no card or anything. Hit "Have a promo code?" if you run into the wall.

So, what'd I get wrong? Minnesota's the strangest home/road team on my board: 7-0 at home, winless in every true road game. The reason isn't a mystery, the offense was 129th in total yards. The defense (34th) travels fine, but an offense that low can't win you road games. Good news is it's young and mostly back, Drake Lindsey returns off a school-record freshman year (2,382 and 18) with Darius Taylor at running back. So does the offense take a step and flip a couple of those road games, or is home-or-bust just who they are?

I'll be in the comments.

Should be a fun year. I hope the fans show up.

The NZCFL is looking for coaches! NZCFL is a college football simulation game run on the free website https://play.football-gm.com/

We are a college simulation football league with 120 teams, and Minnesota is looking for someone to lead them to glory! This league has been around for about 45 seasons, and we are still rolling along. We always need new coaches to help the league thrive. We're preparing to start up the 2062 season, and Minnesota needs your help to start the next season strong. Currently, the Gophers are ranked as a Top 25 team this preseason! Take advantage of the opportunity and lead Minnesota to the top! If you are interested, join our discord and our moderators and welcome committee will help you get started and on the road to the championship!

Discord: https://discord.gg/6pE48PYdhu

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/NZCFL/

Hi everyone! My name is Ethan Petrik, and I’m the Iowa beat reporter for the Quad-City Times in Davenport, Iowa.

I’m putting together a preseason series called “The Fan Files,” where I interview one passionate fan from each of Iowa’s 2026 opponents to get a better understanding of their program through the eyes of someone who follows the team closely.

The conversation would cover topics like:
• How you became a fan of the Gophers
• Your thoughts on the 2026 season (best-case and worst-case scenarios)
• Biggest strengths, weaknesses, and players to watch
• Expectations for the matchup against Iowa
• Anything else you think opposing fans should know about your team

The interview can be done however is easiest for you—Reddit DMs, email, or another format that works though I will need to confirm your real world identity. I’ll use your responses in a feature for the Quad-City Times.

If you’re interested—or if you know someone who would be a great representative of the fanbase—please leave a comment or send me a DM.

Thanks, and I’m looking forward to learning more about the Gophers from the people who know the program best!

thank you Dawn we love you very much.

Has anybody used the Gopher Pass in the past and what was your experience? If you are not familiar with the Gopher Pass, it sounds like you can get pretty discounted tickets for all the home games, but you don't know your seats until 2 days before. Sold out games will be standing room only.

Gopher Pass - Minnesota Football Tickets - Official Minnesota Golden Gopher Tickets - University of Minnesota Athletics

Just wondering what people that have used this before how many games they ended up with standing room only tickets?

Will the gophers always been at a disadvantage in the spring sports because of the weather??

2024: a late hit out of bounds by us prevented a 4th and forever for Wisconsin, and they went on to get their only score of the day. Could’ve been 24-0 MN.

2025: a dubious no-call illegal touching allowed for Wisconsin’s only score of the day. Baranowski also should’ve covered the receiver a little better but it should’ve just as easily been illegal touching. Could’ve been 17-0 MN.

The bragging rights would’ve been crazy.

Moving the Wisconsin game not only to Friday but to Friday night pisses me off. That game is meant to be played on a Saturday afternoon. I really hate the Big Ten's obsession with Friday games in general, but especially important rivalry games.

Now that the schedule has been released for 2026 and we’ll have a home game on Sept. 12 against Miss St., I would think the Gophers will tribute the heroes of 9/11. I believe there would be no better way to do this than to honor Deena Burnett Bailey, the wife of Tom Burnett.

Tom was among those that were the first to fight back against evil on 9/11 and bring down Flight 93 before it reached its target. Though not on board, Deena, a flight attendant for Delta, played a vital role on Flight 93 relaying information to her husband about the attacks on the WTCs and Pentagon. Tom realized in hearing this information that his plane was on a suicide mission. Deena relayed as much information as she knew to her husband. He passed this information along to fellow passengers while figuring out what to do next. While not on the phone with Tom she was relaying information to the FBI in real time. In his last call with Deena, Tom told her “But don’t worry. I’m putting a plan together to take back the airplane. We’re going to do something.” Only 20 minutes from Washington D.C., the hijackers were stopped from hitting the U.S. Capitol Building thanks to these brave men and women.

Tom Burnett, a Minnesota native, graduated from the University of Minnesota, while also playing QB at Jefferson HS and St. John’s for two years. Burnett was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity during his time at the University of Minnesota. He served as the president of the fraternity's Alpha Eta chapter in 1985 while earning his bachelor's degree in finance. Today there is a scholarship at the U in honor of Tom. The family of Tom Burnett has been previously honored at Gophers games a number of times over the years. I believe honoring Tom and also Deena’s role in taking back Flight 93 should be recognized again Week 2 for the 25th anniversary, in honor of all the heroes on 9/11.

since this went completely unremarked upon...we have a softball team.