Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Head Coach: PJ Fleck

Overall: 38-33 6th Year

At Minnesota: 8-11 (2-11) 2nd year

Bowl Appearances at Minnesota: 0

2017 Record: 5-7 (2-7) B1G

Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 13 (5-8)

Mascot: Goldy the Gopher

Colors: Maroon and Gold

Outfitter: Nike

National Titles: 7 (1904, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960)

Conference Titles: 18

Heisman Winners: 1

Last Week’s Result: Lost at Nebraska 52-28

2018 Record: 3-4 (0-4)

Statistical Leaders

Passing Zack Annexstad 97-186 (52.2%) 1,277 yards, 9 TDs, 7 INT

Rushing Mohamed Ibrahim 89 att. 464 yards 5.2 YPC 3 TDs

Receiving Tyler Johnson 47 rec. 705 yards 15 YPC 6 TDs

Tackles LB Blake Cashman 58 tackles (33 solo), 10.5 TFL, 1 Sack, 3 Pass Breakups

Talking Points

1. Friday Night Lights

This will be the Hoosiers first Friday night Big Ten game under the new conference rules and Indiana head coach Tom Allen is not a fan. “I believe Friday nights are for high school football,” Allen said at his Monday press conference, “and I stand by that very strongly. It's not my decision. We'll go play, be ready to play wherever we're asked to play, whether it's Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, I just like to protect that for -- and no matter what state it's in -- for those guys to be able to enjoy that night of the week for them.”

Both teams will be playing on short weeks and are “rewarded” with an open date the following week. Night games always get a crowd fired up, as they are rare. The toughest part may come on the coaching side as the Gophers and Hoosiers have only faced off once since the end of the 2008 season. This means both staffs better be good at scouting unfamiliar opponents and they better do it quickly.

2. Gophers Could Use Two Quarterbacks

Minnesota released their two-deep for this week, and list Zack Annexsted as the starting quarterback. Zack Annexsted, a true freshman, has started every game this season. However, he left the game last week with an undisclosed injury and was reportedly hospitalized Saturday night. He has played well at times and has shown his youth at others. He has tossed nine touchdowns, but seven interceptions. Redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan stepped up in his place and threw for 214 yards and an interception in the second half. The Hoosiers prepare to see both just in case.

3. Beware of the Wild Gopher

Gophers can be tricky fellas, just ask Bill Murray and these Gophers have some tricks up their sleeve. Minnesota likes to use big-bodied receiver Seth Green in the wildcat. The Gophers will use this formation anywhere on the field, but Green is their most effective red zone threat. Green, at six-foot-four and 240 pounds, is a load to bring down. He has carried the ball 38 times for 130 yards and six touchdowns.

4. Minnesota’s Linebackers Do the Dirty Work

Senior Blake Cashman and junior Thomas Barber, yes, he’s related to those Barbers who are like the Bullough’s of Minnesota, are the leaders of this defense. Cashman leads the team in total tackles (58), solo tackles (33) and tackles for loss (10.5). Barber is second on the team in tackles at 49. He also has a nose for the ball grabbing an interception and recovering a fumble to go along with his two tackles for loss. They’ll have to do the heavy lifting on Friday as the Minnesota secondary has been destroyed by injuries and is extremely susceptible to the deep ball and Indiana’s offense is predicated on short-to-intermediate passed that attack the middle of the field and IU will try and again establish the run.

5. Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman are a Two-Man Show at WR

Get used to hearing these two names on Friday night as this pair of receivers have 69.6 percent of Minnesota’s receptions on the year. Tyler Johnson, a six-foot-two junior, leads the team with 47 receptions and 705 yards and six scores. He is a legitimate deep threat averaging 15 yards per catch.

Bateman another six-foot-two receiver is just a freshman, but has impressed all season. While not quite the deep threat Johnson is, Bateman is a reliable target. He has 31 catches on the year for 295 yards and three touchdowns.

After a bounce back week in the secondary against Penn State, the Hoosiers have their hands full again with Johnson and Bateman.

The Huddle

Know Your Opponent: The Young Gophers Await IU in Minneapolis Friday Night

Hoosier Huddle