Minnesota Golden Gophers 2026 Preview
Minnesota are 1-0 in 2026. They went 8-5 (5-4 in the Big Ten). Here is what changed on the roster, the full 2026 schedule, and where they rank going into the season.
About Minnesota Golden Gophers
Paul Bunyan's Axe against Wisconsin is the most-played rivalry in FBS history.
- Joined the Big Ten
- 1896
- Chief rivalries
- Wisconsin (Paul Bunyan's Axe), Iowa (Floyd of Rosedale)
What changed for Minnesota in 2026
- Drake Lindsey returns at QB after a freshman season of 2,382 yards, 18 TDs, and 6 INTs
- Darius Taylor returns at RB after a 2025 season of 670 yards and 4 TDs
- Two out of the top three players in terms of receiving yards return in Javon Tracy (454 yards, 6 TDs) and Jalen Smith (419 yards, 4 TDs)
- Returning three starting offensive lineman that allowed 24 sacks in 2025 (T-68th in CFB)
- 2025 PPG/YPG: 19.4 ppg (116th out of 136), 277.5 ypg (132nd out of 136)
- Returning five starters on defense, including a 100 tackler LB in Maverick Baranowski (103 tackles)
All 136 teams. Free every year via Kyle Kommes.
Fact checking by Brady Kommes; cover art by Pace Maier.
Minnesota Golden Gophers 2026 schedule
| Game | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Illinois | Home | W 59-7 |
| 2 | Mississippi State | Home | — |
| 3 | Akron | Home | — |
| 4 | Washington | Away | — |
| 5 | Michigan | Home | — |
| 6 | Purdue | Away | — |
| 7 | Iowa | Home | — |
| 8 | Indiana | Away | — |
| 9 | UCLA | Home | — |
| 10 | Penn State | Away | — |
| 11 | Home | — |
Get the printable Minnesota Golden Gophers 2026 schedule with kickoff times and TV, sized for one page.
More Big Ten previews
Illinois Fighting Illini
Indiana Hoosiers
Iowa Hawkeyes
Maryland Terrapins
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State Spartans
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Northwestern Wildcats
Ohio State Buckeyes
Oregon Ducks
Penn State Nittany Lions
Purdue Boilermakers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
UCLA Bruins
USC Trojans
Washington Huskies
Wisconsin BadgersRelated reading
Minnesota Golden Gophers betting FAQ
Minnesota Golden Gophers play 11 games in 2026, 7 at home. They open against Eastern Illinois. The full schedule is listed on this page.
Minnesota is outside Kyle Kommes's preseason Top 25 for 2026.
Minnesota Golden Gophers play at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Paul Bunyan's Axe against Wisconsin is the most-played rivalry in FBS history.
Wisconsin (Paul Bunyan's Axe), Iowa (Floyd of Rosedale). Minnesota has been a Big Ten member since 1896.
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