Gophers' 2015 football schedule is intriguing

The 2015 season begins with a team that could end this season, and begin next season, in the top five in TCU.

Then, a trip to Fort Collins, Colo., to face a Colorado State team that was 10-1 and ranked 21st before two season-ending losses.

Not the easiest start.

Two home games in which the Gophers will be heavy favorites follow, and then it's two road games to start the Big Ten.

The following two home games will be against traditional powers with new head coaches: Nebraska (Mike Riley) and Michigan (Jim Harbaugh).

And, like this season, the final four games will likely matter more than any others, including that Thanksgiving weekend home game for Paul Bunyan's Axe:

Sept. 3*vs. TCU

Sept. 19vs. Kent State

Sept. 26vs. Ohio

Oct. 3at Northwestern

Oct. 10at Purdue

Oct. 17vs. Nebraska

Oct. 31vs. Michigan

Nov. 7at Ohio State

Nov. 14at Iowa

Nov. 21vs. Illinois

Nov. 28vs. Wisconsin