Gophers

Gophers football team has tougher road ahead in 2020

December 5, 2019 at 4:40AM
Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin looks over his team before an NCAA college football game against UCF on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol) ORG XMIT: FLJS109
Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A tougher road ahead

The scheduling stars aligned for the Gophers this season, helping them start 9-0, which gave them a chance to win the Big Ten West before a 1-2 finish. Next year, the Gophers still won't draw Ohio State, but it's a more difficult road ahead. Star Tribune staff writer Megan Ryan looks at the Gophers' 2020 schedule:

Sept. 3 vs. Fla. Atlantic

Lane Kiffin's Owls won Conference USA's East division at 9-3.

Sept. 12 vs. Tenn. Tech

The Eagles were 6-6 in the FCS this season.

Sept. 19 vs. Iowa

The Gophers will want payback in an earlier-than-usual "Floyd" clash.

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Sept. 26 vs. BYU

The Cougars went 7-5 this season, beating Boise State and USC.

Oct. 3 at Maryland

Gophers won 52-10 this year. Terrapins had only one Big Ten win.

Oct. 10 at Wisconsin

An early return to Camp Randall, where the U won 37-15 in 2018.

Oct. 17 vs. Michigan

The Wolverines are 9-3 in coach Jim Harbaugh's fifth season.

Oct. 24 at Illinois

Illini are bowl-eligible for the first time since 2014.

Oct. 31 at Michigan State

The Gophers are 0-5 against the Spartans since 2010.

Nov. 7 vs. Purdue

Standout receiver Rondale Moore should return healthy.

Nov. 21 vs. Northwestern

The Wildcats finished 1-8 this season in the Big Ten.

Nov. 27 at Nebraska

A Black Friday finale against a team that underachieved at 5-7.

Tennessee Tech quarterback Bailey Fisher during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7 , 2019 in Oxford , OH . (AP Photo/Tony Tribble) ORG XMIT: NYOTK
Tennessee Tech QB Bailey Fisher (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) ORG XMIT: NYOTK
Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson (1) in action against the Toledo during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski) ORG XMIT: NYOTK
Brigham Young QB Zach Wilson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Maryland Terrapins running back Javon Leake (20) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Syracuse Orange, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Will Newton) ORG XMIT: MDWN106
Maryland RB Javon Leake (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) ORG XMIT: WIAM1
Wisconsin WR Quintez Cephus (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh calls a timeout in the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Ohio State won 56-27. (AP Photo/Tony Ding) ORG XMIT: MITD122
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh (Tony Ding/The Associated Press)
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) ORG XMIT: otkco139
Illinois QB Brandon Peters (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Michigan State's Cody White talks with coach Mark Dantonio, left, during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) ORG XMIT: NYOTK
Michigan State WR Cody White (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2018, file photo, Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore runs against Auburn in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game, in Nashville, Tenn. Purdue receiver Rondale Moore and Nevada running back Toa Taua each made a big mark on his respective team as a freshman. Now it’s time to see what they’ll do for an encore, beginning Friday night when Nevada hosts Purdue in the season opener for both teams. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File) ORG XMIT:
Purdue WR Rondale Moore (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Northwestern Wildcats running back Drake Anderson looks on during the second half of an NCAA football game against the UNLV Rebels on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) ORG XMIT: NYOTK
Northwestern RB Drake Anderson (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Nebraska wide receiver JD Spielman (10) carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) ORG XMIT: NENH1
Nebraska WR JD Spielman (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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