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Gophers schedule appears easier on paper

On paper, the Gophers have a softer schedule, but careful of that finish

August 25, 2016 at 2:52AM
Wisconsin's Corey Clement during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 27-10. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) ORG XMIT: WIMG1
Nov. 26, at Wisconsin: Badgers running back Corey Clement didn’t play against the Gophers in 2015, but he racked up 95 total yards and a score on eight touches vs. the U in 2014. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit unveiled his college football predictions Wednesday and made the Gophers his surprise pick to win the Big Ten West. Minnesota went 6-7 last year, with six losses coming against 10-win teams. This year's schedule is considerably easier with no TCU, Ohio State or Michigan. But there are plenty of skeptics outside Dinkytown. The Gophers were picked to finish fifth in the West in the Big Ten preseason media poll. Las Vegas puts their over-under at 6.5 wins. Athlon picked the Gophers to go 6-6. Even Gophers coach Tracy Claeys has tempered the easy schedule talk. "We don't have as many so-called big names on the schedule, but we do have five conference road games," he said. "Having to go on the road and win in the Big Ten isn't easy." With the season starting one week from Thursday, we take a game-by-game look. Page 8C


Northwestern linebacker Anthony Walker (18) and Northwestern cornerback Matthew Harris (27) during an NCAA college football against Stanford in Evanston, Ill, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Marton ORG XMIT: OTKMM101
Nov. 19, vs. Northwestern: Though he had one of his worst statistical performances last season against Minnesota, Wildcats linebacker Anthony Walker may be the Big Ten’s best player. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) runs with the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. Nebraska won 36-28. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) ORG XMIT: NENH1
Nov. 12, at Nebraska: Huskers QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. is 1-1 against the Gophers. He has averaged 283.5 yards per game and has thrown for four TDs while not turning the ball over vs. Minnesota. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

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