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.
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. 12 at Colorado State
Sept. 19 vs. Kent State
Sept. 26 vs. Ohio
Oct. 3 at Northwestern
Oct. 10 at Purdue
Oct. 17 vs. Nebraska
Oct. 24 Bye week
Oct. 31 vs. Michigan
Nov. 7 at Ohio State
Nov. 14 at Iowa
Nov. 21 vs. Illinois
Nov. 28 vs. Wisconsin
*Thursday night game
