Northwestern at Minnesota - 2026 Matchup Preview
Northwestern logo Northwestern Wildcats at Minnesota Golden GophersMinnesota logo
Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Huntington Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach David Braun (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (15 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
NW 2nd straight Road Game
MINN is playing their 5th straight game
NW is playing their 10th straight game
Our Line: Minnesota -3  (SP+ NW -4.5)
Projected Score: NW: 21 - MINN: 24 (44)
MINN Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
NW Travel: 342 miles
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)
 
Northwestern's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Northwestern vs South Dakota State-27
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Northwestern vs Colorado-14
Sat 9/26 Northwestern at Indiana+28
Sat 10/3 Northwestern vs Penn State+9
Sat 10/10 Northwestern vs Ball State-27.5
Sat 10/17 Northwestern at Michigan State-3
Sat 10/24 Northwestern vs Rutgers-7
Sat 10/31 Northwestern at Oregon+24.5
Sat 11/7 Northwestern vs Iowa+7.5
Sat 11/14 Northwestern at Ohio State+28.5
Sat 11/21 Northwestern at Minnesota+3
Sat 11/28 Northwestern at Illinois+10

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'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
NW#83 (.15)43% (57)23.446% (46)2.97 (64)16142% (66)1863.21 (116)#72 (.17)45% (117)19.847% (119)44% (101)3.37 (41)33.81.61.5
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
NW0%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
NW Offense1323.415.243.2%3.211.6203471611864.751%47%46%42%17%.15
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
NW Defense1319.82645.3%3.371.5 - - - - - 52%46%47%44%15%.17
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
Northwestern1332:1819.743%59%4.233.81.61.541.8028.5
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
NW Offense1351% (57)46% (46)34.5160.94.716 (99).14 (58)2.97 (64)76% (41)8% (33)0.91 (92)
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
NW Defense1352% (91)47% (119) - - - - .18 (108)3.16 (113)71% (63)9% (93)0.99 (85)
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
NW Offense1347% (81)42% (66)17.229.1185.96.410.817 (75)13 (108).21 (85)1.5 (97)30% (46)33% (33).31 (66)9% (130)1.8 (128)
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
NW Defense1346% (38)44% (101) - - - - - - 9 (75).24 (63)1.4 (6)28% (119)34% (120).32 (82)6% (62)1.8 (20)
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)

Northwestern's Power Ratings
Northwestern's Power Rating: 1.49  #59
Northwestern's Offense Rating: 11.07  #66
Northwestern's Defense Rating: 14.58  #52
2026 Talent Rating: 886.00  #28
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
Northwestern's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Northwestern's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.8  #51
Northwestern's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.4  #90
Northwestern's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.0  #30

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 1.49   Minnesota: 6.47

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northwestern: 5.8   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


Northwestern Scoring
Offense: 23.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 15.2
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Northwestern'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 24
Northwestern 21

Projected Total Points: 44
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
202511/22Northwestern38Minnesota35Northwestern -4.0Minnesota41.0Over
202309/23Northwestern37Minnesota34Minnesota -11.5Northwestern39.5Over
202211/12Minnesota31Northwestern3Minnesota -17Minnesota40.5Under
202110/30Northwestern14Minnesota41Minnesota -7.5Minnesota43.5Over
201911/23Northwestern22Minnesota38Minnesota -15.5Minnesota41.0Over
201811/17Minnesota14Northwestern24Minnesota -3Northwestern48.5Under
201711/18Northwestern39Minnesota0Northwestern -7Northwestern40.5Under
201611/19Minnesota29Northwestern12Minnesota -2Minnesota46.0Under
201510/03Northwestern27Minnesota0Northwestern -6.5Northwestern40.5Under
201410/11Minnesota24Northwestern17Minnesota -3.5Minnesota45.0Under
201310/19Northwestern17Minnesota20Northwestern -13Minnesota0
201210/13Minnesota13Northwestern21
201111/19Northwestern28Minnesota13
201010/02Minnesota28Northwestern29
200909/26Northwestern24Minnesota35
200811/01Minnesota17Northwestern24
200710/13Northwestern49Minnesota48
200409/25Minnesota43Northwestern17
200310/04Northwestern17Minnesota42
200210/10Minnesota45Northwestern42
200110/13Northwestern23Minnesota17
200010/27Minnesota35Northwestern41
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Minnesota1074 Overs
Northwestern1246 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams12 - 106 - 55 - 31 - 2
Road Teams10 - 125 - 62 - 13 - 5

(#59) NW at (#37) MINN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNWMINN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #59 #37
SP+SP+ #51 #70
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #28 #12
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Northwestern on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffMINN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #57 #113
ExplosiveExp #108 #74
PPAPPA #83 #97
PowerPwr #66 #41
SP+SP+ #90 #33
Pts POPPO #116 #84
HavocHav #94 #29
Northwestern Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #46 #82
Run ExplRExp #92 #83
PPAExp #58 #92
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #64 #63
Stuff RateStuff #48 #55
TackleTak - NR
Northwestern Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
NW OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #66 #124
Pass ExplPExl #97 #35
PPAExp #85 #73
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #33 #6
DB HavocDB #130 #122
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffNW Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #101 #117
ExplosiveExp #99 #12
PPAPPA #94 #72
PowerPwr #37 #52
SP+SP+ #94 #30
Pts POPPO #60 #41
HavocHav #74 #83
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffNW Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #119
Run ExplRExp #105 #85
PPAExp #116 #108
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #123 #113
Stuff RateStuff #94 #118
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCatMINN OffNW Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #77 #101
Pass ExplPExl #121 #6
PPAExp #82 #63
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #93
DB HavocDB #114 #62
Program Comparison
MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

NW 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Huntington Bank Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Northwestern beat Minnesota last year (38-35)
Northwestern beat Minnesota in 2023 (37-34)

  
NW's OC Chip Kelly (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Aidan Chiles (Tr)12820363%13921036.9
Ryan Boe2729%17012.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Caleb Komolafe190941115.056
Gavin Sawchuk (Tr)10948684.540
Joseph Himon II9948614.937
Aidan Chiles (Tr)8122762.864
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Griffin Wilde71880812.449
Hayden Eligon Ii37521314.138
Ricky Ahumaraeze10200020.035
Drew Wagner2217227.840

View Northwestern's Full Roster

NW's DC Tim McGarigle (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Robert Fitzgerald1066014
Braydon Brus815344
Braden Turner522012
Michael Kilbane428481
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Michael Kilbane428481
Braydon Brus815344
Mason Green11100
Kobie McKinzie (Tr)327140
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Josh Fussell291009
Brenden Deasfernandes (Tr)250008
Robert Fitzgerald1066014

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