Eastern Illinois at Minnesota - 2026 Matchup Preview
Eastern Illinois logo Eastern Illinois Panthers at Minnesota Golden GophersMinnesota logo
Thursday, September 3rd 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Huntington Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN

 
Panthers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 0 - 56 (0 - 56 on Road)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: Minnesota -6.5  (SP+ MINN -2)
MINN Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
Golden Gophers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (66 - 44)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (30 - 13 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Eastern Illinois's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Eastern Illinois at Minnesota+6.5

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 Eastern Illinois's Schedule
Minnesota's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois-27.5
Sat 9/12 Minnesota vs Mississippi State-0
Sat 9/19 Minnesota vs Akron-22
Sat 9/26 Minnesota at Washington+17
Sat 10/3 Minnesota vs Michigan+9
Sat 10/10 Minnesota at Purdue-5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Minnesota vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 10/31 Minnesota at Indiana+27.5
Sat 11/7 Minnesota vs UCLA-8.5
Sat 11/14 Minnesota at Penn State+13.5
Sat 11/21 Minnesota vs Northwestern-3
Sat 11/28 Minnesota at Wisconsin-2

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 Minnesota's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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
EIU0%00%000%000%560%0%0000
MINN#94 (.13)40% (101)2339% (110)2.62 (123)10341% (77)1903.79 (60)#97 (.2)45% (113)22.943% (82)47% (124)3.84 (84)310.71.2
 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
EIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
MINN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
EIU Offense1000%00000000%0%0%0%0%
MINN Defense1322.91345.2%3.841.2 - - - - - 46%53%43%47%18%.2
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
EIU Defense156560%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
MINN Offense132330.139.9%3.790.7172931031903.641%57%39%41%16%.13

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Eastern Illinois10:000NAN%0%0000000100
Minnesota1329:2317.140%43%3.8310.71.27.13230.7
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
EIU Offense10%0%000000%0%0
MINN Defense1346% (19)43% (82) - - - - .14 (92)2.86 (63)73% (80)13% (6)0.98 (83)
 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
EIU Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
MINN Offense1341% (126)39% (110)28.8103.53.615 (88).02 (116)2.62 (123)73% (61)9% (44)0.89 (105)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
EIU Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
MINN Defense1353% (119)47% (124) - - - - - - 9 (38).25 (73)1.5 (35)30% (102)36% (129).42 (122)5% (122)2 (54)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
EIU Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
MINN Offense1357% (11)41% (77)19.330.7189.96.29.819 (61)7 (34).22 (82)1.4 (121)33% (96)28% (94).2 (111)7% (114)1.8 (126)

Eastern Illinois's Power Ratings
Eastern Illinois's Power Rating: NR
Eastern Illinois's Offense Rating: NR
Eastern Illinois's Defense Rating: NR
2026 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Eastern Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: -
Eastern Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Eastern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Eastern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average OVC Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Eastern Illinois:    Minnesota: 6.47

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Eastern Illinois:    Minnesota: 1.5




Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 6.47  #37
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 14.80  #37
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 13.36  #41
2026 Talent Rating: 1010.00  #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Minnesota's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Minnesota's 2026 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 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


Eastern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 0 PPG
Offense on Road: 0
Defense: 56 PPG
Defense on Road: 56

Eastern Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Minnesota 29
Eastern Illinois 22

Projected Total Points: 51
Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense at Home: 30.1
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 13

Minnesota's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201408/28Minnesota42Eastern Illinois20
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Minnesota100 Overs
Eastern Illinois000 Unders

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

(#NR) EIU at (#37) MINN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatEIUMINN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #37
SP+SP+NR #70
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTalNR #12
Blue ChipsBC%NR #24
Eastern Illinois on Offense
CategoryCat
EIU OffMINN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSucNR #113
ExplosiveExpNR #74
PPAPPANR #97
PowerPwrNR #41
SP+SP+NR #33
Pts POPPONR #84
HavocHavNR #29
Eastern Illinois Run Game
CategoryCat
EIU OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSucNR #82
Run ExplRExpNR #83
PPAExpNR #92
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #63
Stuff RateStuffNR #55
TackleTak - NR
Eastern Illinois Pass Game
CategoryCat
EIU OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSucNR #124
Pass ExplPExlNR #35
PPAExpNR #73
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7NR #6
DB HavocDBNR #122
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffEIU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #101NR
ExplosiveExp #99NR
PPAPPA #94NR
PowerPwr #37NR
SP+SP+ #94NR
Pts POPPO #60NR
HavocHav #74NR
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffEIU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #110NR
Run ExplRExp #105NR
PPAExp #116NR
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #123NR
Stuff RateStuff #94NR
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffEIU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #77NR
Pass ExplPExl #121NR
PPAExp #82NR
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44NR
DB HavocDB #114NR
Program Comparison
MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

EIU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'26 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Huntington Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
EIU's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cole Lacrue8114855%853475.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Charles Kellom19271633.725
Cole Lacrue12549874.059
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Charles Kellom189205.122
Cole Lacrue1404.04

View Eastern Illinois's Full Roster

EIU's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD

MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey24638963%23821866.1
Michael Merdinger (Tr)214151%350108.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor14367044.771
TJ Thomas Jr. (Tr)9138464.244
Grant Washington2113206.316
Cortez LeGrant2513105.222
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Noah Jennings (Tr)23323014.036
Zion Steptoe (Tr)21272013.042

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Andrew Marshall (Tr)614130
Kerry Brown564003
John Nestor506006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith38181373
Karter Menz329742
T.J. Bush3911541
Jaxon Howard296410
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor506006
Kerry Brown564003
Anthony Smith38181373