Know Your Opponent: Minnesota Golden Gophers

The No. 4 Indiana Hoosiers (7-1, 4-1) return home to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-2, 3-1) for a Halloween Homecoming matchup. The Hoosiers have not beaten the Gophers since 2007 (0-5) and have not played the Gophers in Bloomington since 2021. It’ll be a festive weekend in Bloomington and ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from Showalter Fountain on campus.

Head Coach: PJ Fleck  (8th year at Ohio State)
Overall: 101-68 (.598) 14th year
At Minnesota (71-46, 42-41)
Minnesota  All-Time Bowl Appearances: 26
Last Year’s Record: 8-5 (5-4) Win Rate Bowl vs. New Mexico
This Year’s Record: 5-2 (3-1)
Postseason Appearances Since 2000: 20 Appearances (12-8 Record)
Mascot: Goldy Gopher
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Outfitter: Nike
National Titles: 6
Conference Titles: 18
Heisman Winners: 1

1. Which Minnesota Rush Defense Will IU Get?

Minnesota is 5-2 and 3-1 in the Big Ten with wins over No. 15 Iowa, Michigan and at Washington. In those games they look like a top 25 team that can insert themselves into the Big Ten race. In the Golden Gophers five wins they have allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing and ran the ball for at least 72 yards.

However, there have been two games, one inparticular, where Minnesota just did not look like a Big Ten contender. Minnesota’s home loss to Mississppi State is nothing to sneeze at as Kamario Taylor lit up the Gophers, who allowed 252 yards on the ground. Then in an inexplicable 41-13 loss at Purdue, Minnesota allowed the Boilermakers to run for 305 yards.

So which Gophers team shows up in Bloomington? The one who knocked off Iowa and Michigan at home or the porus defensive team that took it on the chin from Mississippi State and Purdue?

2. Trophy Hunters

For the first time since the 1970’s Minnesota is in possession of all three of their rivalry trophies (the Little Brown Jug, the Axe and the Flloyd of Rosedale). They play their best football when the most is on the line. While there is no trophy at stake against Indiana, the Gophers are hunting their second consecutive top 15 win.

3. Special Teams Weapons

Minnesota can flip the game with their special teams unit. Last week they blocked a punt against Iowa, that set up a score and kicked two field goals. Javon Tracy is an All-American caliber returner as well with two punt return touchdowns and is averaging 18 yards per return. The Gophers have only returned 11 kickoffs and are averaging 22.3 yards per return. Indiana is coming off their best special teams performance of the season, but will need to continue their good play in that phase of the game Saturday.

4. Can Drake Lindsey Get the Ball to Playmakers?

Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey has all the tools of an NFL prospect, but has struggled being asked to make up for a dormant rushing attack. He has completes 144 of 222 passes for 1,472 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He does have some playmakers in the passing game in Tracy and Jalen Smith. Running back Darius Taylor is a threat in the passing game as well. Lindsey will have to get the ball quickly into the hands of this trio if Minnesota’s offense is going to score enough to stay with Indiana.