The improved play of the 2014 Gophers caught some broad national attention. The 2015 schedule alone is deserving of the same. The Gophers open with TCU, a team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation on Tuesday in ESPN's "way too early" 2015 rankings. Hard to imagine a more high-profile opening game for Jerry Kill's fifth season. After that Thursday nighter at TCF Bank Stadium comes a trip to Fort Collins, Colo., to face a Colorado State team that was 10-1 and ranked 21st before two season-ending losses.
Do Gophers have the nation's most intriguing 2015 football schedule?
January 14, 2015 at 12:41PM
And, oh yeah, there's that Big Ten schedule, too. This year, the conference run will feature three new coaches at traditional powers Nebraska (Mike Riley), Michigan (Jim Harbaugh) and the season-ending Wisconsin (Paul Chryst) game, and a November trip to Columbus, Ohio, to face the newly crowned champs. Those Buckeyes are No. 2 in ESPN's too-early rankings, by the way.
Will the Gophers improve on 8-5? Fall back? It should be fascinating to follow the ride, up or down:
Minnesota, 2015
Sept. 3*vs. TCU
Sept. 12at Colorado State
Sept. 19vs. Kent State
Sept. 26vs. Ohio
Oct. 3at Northwestern
Oct. 10at Purdue
Oct. 17vs. Nebraska
Oct. 24Bye week
Oct. 31vs. Michigan
Nov. 7at Ohio State
Nov. 14at Iowa
Nov. 21vs. Illinois
Nov. 28vs. Wisconsin
*Thursday night game
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Suggestions include a strong nomination for Colorado State's Niko Medved and finding more NIL money for the program no matter who is hired.
