Northwestern State at Minnesota - 2025 Matchup Preview
Northwestern State logo   Northwestern State Demons at Minnesota Golden Gophers  Minnesota logo
Saturday, September 6th 2025 (12:00 PM EDT)
Minnesota -43.0 (50.5) (0)  Open: -43.0 | 50.5
Minnesota 66 - Northwestern State: 0

 
Demons (0 - 2) (0 - 2 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 0 - 68 (0 - 68 on Road)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
MINN 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Minnesota -3.5  (SP+ MINN -2)
MINN Win prob: 100% | Cover: 30%
Golden Gophers (8 - 5) (5 - 8 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (57 - 39)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (30 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.5 - 5.5 (#61)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
 
Northwestern State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/6 Northwestern State at Minnesota+43.050.5L 0 - 66ON
Sat 9/13 Northwestern State at Cincinnati+48.555.5L 0 - 70ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northwestern State's Schedule
Minnesota's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Minnesota vs Buffalo-16.545.5W 23 - 10UN
Sat 9/6 Minnesota vs Northwestern State-43.050.5W 66 - 0OY
Sat 9/13 Minnesota at California-3.041.5L 14 - 27UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Minnesota vs Rutgers-3.551.5W 31 - 28ON
Sat 10/4 Minnesota at Ohio State+23.542.5L 3 - 42ON
Sat 10/11 Minnesota vs Purdue-7.549.5W 27 - 20UN
Fri 10/17 Minnesota vs Nebraska+7.047.5W 24 - 6UY
Sat 10/25 Minnesota at Iowa+7.539.5L 3 - 41ON
Sat 11/1 Minnesota vs Michigan State-4.544.5W 23 - 20UN
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/14 Minnesota at Oregon+26.545.5L 13 - 42ON
Sat 11/22 Minnesota vs Northwestern+4.041.0L 35 - 38OY
Sat 11/29 Minnesota vs Wisconsin+2.538.5W 17 - 7UY
Fri 12/26 Minnesota vs New Mexico-1.544.5W 20 - 17UY

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Minnesota's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NWST0%00%000%000%680%0%0000
MINN#64 (.2)45% (39)2344% (65)2.7 (119)10346% (29)2044.38 (27)#16 (.08)39% (35)22.936% (8)42% (80)3.32 (23)35.60.81.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NWST0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MINN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NWST Offense2000%00000000%0%0%0%0%
MINN Defense1322.91338.9%3.321.5 - - - - - 50%50%36%42%19%.08
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NWST Defense268680%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
MINN Offense132330.144.9%4.380.8193071032043.744%56%44%46%16%.2

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Northwestern State20:000NAN%0%0000000100
Minnesota1329:1318.545%90%4.535.60.81.54.41.8228.6
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NWST Offense20%0%000000%0%0
MINN Defense1350% (63)36% (8) - - - - .02 (19)2.71 (22)74% (69)9% (90)0.95 (50)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NWST Defense20%0% - - - - 00%0%0
MINN Offense1344% (111)44% (65)28.2102.93.717 (84).11 (80)2.7 (119)73% (69)10% (80)0.88 (113)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NWST Offense20%0%000000000%0%0%0
MINN Defense1350% (71)42% (80) - - - - - - 16 (10).15 (27)1.3 (6)33% (43)26% (16).15 (10)10% (1)1.8 (20)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NWST Defense20%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
MINN Offense1356% (25)46% (29)19.529.2204.1710.518 (68)5 (6).27 (58)1.4 (129)30% (46)31% (80).32 (76)6% (70)2 (75)

Northwestern State's Power Ratings
Northwestern State's Power Rating: NR
Northwestern State's Offense Rating: NR
Northwestern State's Defense Rating: NR
2025 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Northwestern State's 2025 Expected Record: -
Northwestern State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Northwestern State's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Northwestern State's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average Southland Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern State:    Minnesota: 3.73

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern State:    Minnesota: 1.5




Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 3.73  #65
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 14.08  #62
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 13.12  #64
2025 Talent Rating: 928.00  #19
Blue Chip Ratio: 8  #44
Minnesota's 2025 Expected Record: 7.5 - 5.5
Minnesota's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.5  #70
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.8  #94
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #33

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Northwestern State Scoring
Offense: 0 PPG
Offense on Road: 0
Defense: 68 PPG
Defense on Road: 68

Northwestern State's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Over/Under Record: 2 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Minnesota 29
Northwestern State 25

Projected Total Points: 54
Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.1
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Minnesota's 2025 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 5 - 8 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record at home: 7 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 4 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/06Minnesota66Northwestern State0Minnesota -43.0Minnesota50.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Minnesota111 Overs
Northwestern State000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

(#) NWST at (#65) MINN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWSTMINN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #65
SP+SP+NR #70
Perf GradeGradeNR #60
OffenseOffNR #53
DefenseDefNR #89
Spec TeamsSTNR #1
TalentTalNR #19
Blue ChipsBC%NR #44
Minnesota Notes
(11/30) CB J Nestor was incredible vs Iowa, Does he return?
(11/22) This program is awful on road. Study why
(11/16) Gophers historically bad road season, L2 at home
(11/2) Outgained & outplayed by Mich St, Def torched
(10/27) Off horrific vs Iowa, 133 yds, 24 rushing, 3 TOs.
(10/18) Def dominated Neb w/ 9 sacks, held to 213 yds
(10/18) RB D Taylor breakout game, 148 yds, 6.2 ypc
(9/14) Rush Off disappointing, Red Zone issues hurt
(9/13) RB1 D Taylor doubtful for Cal (leg inj)
(8/29) QB Lindsey, RB Taylor as good as advertised
(5/26) Portal DE J Howard (LSU) a pot. gamewrecker
(5/23) Safeties Perich & Brown a top duo in CFB
Minnesota Injury Report
Northwestern State on Offense
CategoryCat
NWST OffMINN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNR #89
SuccessSucNR #35
ExplosiveExpNR #19
PPAPPANR #16
PowerPwrNR #64
SP+SP+NR #33
Pts POPPONR #23
HavocHavNR #18
Northwestern State Run Game
CategoryCat
NWST OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNR #82
Run SuccessRSucNR #8
Run ExplRExpNR #50
PPAExpNR #19
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #22
Stuff RateStuffNR #73
TackleTak -  #86
Northwestern State Pass Game
CategoryCat
NWST OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNR #95
Pass SuccessPSucNR #80
Pass ExplPExlNR #6
PPAExpNR #27
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNR #93
F7 HavocF7NR #90
DB HavocDBNR #1
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffNWST Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #53NR
SuccessSuc #39NR
ExplosiveExp #122NR
PPAPPA #64NR
PowerPwr #62NR
SP+SP+ #94NR
Pts POPPO #27NR
HavocHav #71NR
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffNWST Def
Run GameRun #66NR
Run SuccessRSuc #65NR
Run ExplRExp #113NR
PPAExp #80NR
Run BlockR Blk #41 -
OL YdsOLY #119NR
Stuff RateStuff #91NR
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffNWST Def
Pass GamePass #57NR
Pass SuccessPSuc #29NR
Pass ExplPExl #129NR
PPAExp #58NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #54NR
F7 HavocF7 #80NR
DB HavocDB #70NR
Program Comparison
MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Down to Top G5

NWST 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Huntington Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 2
Minnesota -43.0 (50.5)
Minnesota won vs Northwestern State this year (66-0)

Previous Matchups
Minnesota beat Northwestern State last year (66-0)

  
NWST's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Abram Johnston11621355%1121795.3
Eli Anderson295256%290215.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Myion Hicks7831104.051
Abram Johnston11929942.529
Kolbe Burrell7626313.538
Jeremiah James4818703.944
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Ty Moore12232419.356
Brendan Webb8174221.878
Camryn Davis1716229.524
Jimmie Duncan9132014.759

View Northwestern State's Full Roster

NWST's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kaden Mackey130000
Kolbe Cage (Tr)130000
Danny Sears100000
Fernando Washington91000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braden Woods11100
Kaden Mackey130000
Joe Natali30000
Pierre Goree10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Preston Hickey61001
Kaden Mackey130000
Kabriel Anderson-Dale (Tr)30000

MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey24638963%23821866.1
Max Shikenjanski4580%801016.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor14367044.771
Fame Ijeboi9744124.549
Grant Washington2113206.316
Cameron Davis (Tr)3511123.214
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Lemeke Brockington46484410.524
Javon Tracy (Tr)37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Darius Taylor3424507.240

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Devon Williams899311
Koi Perich823102
Kerry Brown564003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith38181373
Karter Menz329742
Jaxon Howard296410
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor (Tr)506006
Kerry Brown564003
Anthony Smith38181373