Minnesota Team Profile
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Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherFootball)
P. J. Fleck (10th year) (66-44) #57
Record: 0 - 0 (0 - 0)  |  Proj: 6 - 6 (#56)  |  SOS: (#29)
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Minnesota's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois-29.5
Sat 9/12 Minnesota vs Mississippi State-4.5
Sat 9/19 Minnesota vs Akron-23.5
Sat 9/26 Minnesota at Washington+18.5
Sat 10/3 Minnesota vs Michigan+10
Sat 10/10 Minnesota at Purdue-6
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 Minnesota vs Iowa+8
Sat 10/31 Minnesota at Indiana+26.5
Sat 11/7 Minnesota vs UCLA-6
Sat 11/14 Minnesota at Penn State+13.5
Sat 11/21 Minnesota vs Northwestern-4.5
Sat 11/28 Minnesota at Wisconsin-2.5

Record Prediction: 6 - 6  #56
Schedule Rating:  #29
Future 2027 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

2025 Schedule Rating:  #55
2025 Record: 8 - 5 (B1G: 5 - 4)
Spread Record 5 - 8 - 0 | O/U 6 - 7


Opponents: 3 Elite, 2 Good, 3 Avg, 2 Bad, 1 Poor
Reg Season Opponents: 3 Elite, 1 Good, 2 Avg, 3 Bad, 2 Poor

Show Past Schedules
2026 class: 227 points   #28
2025 class: 203 points   #45
2024 class: 213 points   #30
2023 class: 201 points   #45
2022 class: 189 points   #49

Average Class Ranking:   #39
Average Recruiting Points: 207

Four Year Crootin Profile
Improving Top 25 Contenders
4 Year Class:  #36 - Best:  #28 Worst:  #45



CFB Crootin Averages
Big Ten Class: 231  #38
Power 4 Class: 229  #38
FBS Class: 198  #70


2021 class: 203 points   #37
2020 class: 203 points   #33
2019 class: 198 points   #43
2018 class: 207 points   #32
2017 class: 171 points   #64

Average Class Ranking:   #42
Average Recruiting Points: 197
 
Transfer Portal Classes
2026 Portal Class  #34 - 19 players, 86 Avg
2025 Portal Class  #29 - 22 players, 87 Avg
2024 Portal Class  #34 - 13 players, 87 Avg
2023 Portal Class  #41 - 11 players, 87 Avg
Transfer Portal Classes
Transfer Portal Classes
2022 Portal Class  #40 - 8 players, 86 Avg
2021 Portal Class  #37 - 18 players, 88 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
Offensive Coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years) #63
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
Zion Steptoe (Tr)76509.332
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Noah Jennings (Tr)23323014.036
Zion Steptoe (Tr)21272013.042
(Tr) - new transfer in 2026

Defensive Coordinator Danny Collins (in his second season) #112
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
Returning Production
Overall Returning Production: 66%  #48
Offense Returning Production: 73%  #46
Defense Returning Production: 60%  #59
Minnesota's Official Roster

Transfer Portal
2026 Portal Class  #34
19 Commits, 85.9 Avg Rating
24% of 2026 Roster from Portal, 18% TY
Team Talent
2026 Talent Rating: 1048.00  #10
Offense Talent  #25 | Defense Talent  #15
2025  #19 | 2024  #29 | 2023  #57 | 2022  #50


2026 - 2023 Records
2026 Record: 0 - 0
2026 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0

2025 Record: 8 - 5
2025 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 5 - 8 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

2024 Record: 8 - 5
2024 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 10 - 2 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7

2023 Record: 6 - 7
2023 Conf Record: 3 - 6
Spread: 4 - 9 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 7

Four Year Record: 22 - 17
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 19 - 19 - 1
Four Year Conference Record: 13 - 14
2022 - 2019 Records
2022 Record: 9 - 4
2022 Conf Record: 5 - 4
Spread: 7 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 8

2021 Record: 9 - 4
2021 Conf Record: 6 - 3
Spread: 8 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 6 - 7

2020 Record: 3 - 4
2020 Conf Record: 3 - 4
Spread: 4 - 3 - 0 | Totals: 3 - 4

2019 Record: 11 - 2
2019 Conf Record: 7 - 2
Spread: 8 - 4 - 1 | Totals: 9 - 4

Eight Year Record: 54 - 31
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 46 - 36 - 3
Eight Year Conference Record: 37 - 27

Minnesota Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Rate Bowl Minnesota vs New Mexico-1.544.5W 20 - 17
2024Mayo Bowl Minnesota vs Virginia Tech-10.043.5W 24 - 10
2023Lane Bowl Minnesota vs Bowling Green-2.545.0W 30 - 24
2022Pinstripe Bowl Minnesota vs Syracuse-10.545.0W 28 - 20
2021Rate Bowl Minnesota vs West Virginia-5.044.5W 18 - 6
2019Outback Bowl Minnesota vs Auburn+7.054.0W 31 - 24
2018Lane Bowl Minnesota vs Georgia Tech+5.557.0W 34 - 10
2016Holiday Bowl Minnesota vs Washington State+5.561.0W 17 - 12
Power Ranking Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2025.13 (94)1.2 (99)40% (101)3.79 (60)30.7 (30)40%43%.2 (97)1.27 (74)45% (113)3.84 (84)26.7 (17)
 Teams                  Offense PPAOffense ExplOffense SuccessOffense Pts Per OppAvg Start FP3rd Down %4th Down %Defense PPADefense ExplDefense SuccessDefense Pts Per OppOpponent FP
2024.2 (64)1.17 (122)45% (39)4.38 (27)28.6 (78)45%90%.08 (16)1.16 (19)39% (35)3.32 (23)29.1 (72)



More Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20251329:2317.140%43%3.8310.71.27.132
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDs
20241329:1318.545%90%4.535.60.81.54.41.82



Overall Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2025 Offense132330.18.339.9% (101)3.79 (60)0.7172931031903.641% (126)57% (11)39% (110)41% (77)16% (74).13 (94)
2025 Defense1322.9133845.2% (113)3.84 (84)1.2 - - - - - 46% (19)53% (119)43% (82)47% (124)18% (29).2 (97)
 Teams                  GamesPPGHomeRoadSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun Rate  Pass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
2024 Offense1326.22922.644.9% (39)4.38 (27)0.8193071032043.744% (111)56% (25)44% (65)46% (29)16% (71).2 (64)
2024 Defense1316.916.618.838.9% (35)3.32 (23)1.5 - - - - - 50% (63)50% (71)36% (8)42% (80)19% (18).08 (16)



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
2025 Offense1341% (126)39% (110)28.8103.53.615 (88).02 (116)2.62 (123)73% (61)9% (44)0.89 (105)
2025 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
2024 Offense1344% (111)44% (65)28.2102.93.717 (84).11 (80)2.7 (119)73% (69)10% (80)0.88 (113)
2024 Defense1350% (63)36% (8) - - - - .02 (19)2.71 (22)74% (69)9% (90)0.95 (50)



Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs     Ints     PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
2025 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)
2025 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
2024 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)
2024 Defense1350% (71)42% (80) - - - - - - 16 (10).15 (27)1.3 (6)33% (43)26% (16).15 (10)10% (1)1.8 (20)




Overall

Team Info

Power #35SP+ #70
Coaching staff Rank  #77

Record

0 - 0
B1G 0 - 0

Vs Spread0 - 0 - 0Totals0 - 0
One Score Games '25: (4-1)(27-17 under P.F.)

5 Year Profile

Declining Below Avg P4

'26 Profile

Down to Top G5
Performance #60
Special Teams #1

Returning Production

From 2025

67% #41
25 QB Drake Lindsey returns (OC back)
Offense 73% #46
Defense 60% #59
Returning Starters: 11 (Off: 6) - (Def: 5)
Proj Portal Starters: 3 (Off: 1) - (Def: 2)
Exp'd Depth: 7 (Off: 3) - (Def: 4)
OL Prod: 60% #593 starters, 1 exp'd depth
OL Snaps: 2,636  #80From Portal: 76 #107
Rush Prod: 86% #39
Rec Prod: 74% #48
Front Seven: 59% #59
Secondary: 62% #56

Roster

Talent Info

Talent #10
Blue Chips (12%) #34
Portal Class  #3419 players (86 Avg)
Crootin '26 Class  #284 YR Class Rating #36

Talent Profile

Improving Top 25 Contenders
24% of Roster from Portal, 18% TY
46% of '26 Roster are New (Fr + Portals)

(OC) Greg Harbaugh Jr. 3

 #63

(DC) Danny Collins 2

 #112

2026 Schedule

Information

SOS #29

Minnesota plays 2 opps off a byeAKR & IOWA
OppsElite: 3, Good: 2, Avg: 3, Bad: 2, Poor: 1
2025 Record: 8 - 5 (5 - 8 - 0) (B1G: 5 - 4)
2024 Record: 8 - 5 (10 - 2 - 1) (B1G: 5 - 4)

Win History

Past 5 years 7

Avg under P. F 7.33
4 Yr Record (22 - 17)
8 Yr Record (54 - 31)

Notes

Live Team Notes

Vibes: Fleck good but stalling? DC Collins shaky
QB Lindsey has been good not great. Some depth
RB Taylor back, hopefully healthy. Good depth
WR 3 portals needed, decent unit, needs #1
OL big issue LY, 3 return. Vital this unit improves
DT light on exp but lots of options. DE Smith great
LB should be good w 2 big portal adds. Depth
DBs hit by Perich loss, one good CB & S. Unclear
LY Def collapsed & Off was awful. Big year coming

Roster Experience

Snaps & Starter Info

Snaps Returning

14,637 (67%) #50

76%of Snaps by Upperclass
Offense: 7,143 #55
Defense: 7,494 #44
Players with Starting Exp (28) 13 on Off, 15 on Def

Upperclass

Starters 9 of 22 (40.9%)2-Deep 14 of 44 (31.8%)
Senior/Gr starters: 7 (31.8%) (Off: 4, Def: 3)
Upperclass Two-Deep: 14 of 44 (31.8%)
Upperclass on Roster: 35.4%(40 of 113)

Portals

Top '26 Incoming Portals

Xion Chapman (DL)4★ (.92)
Perry Thompson (WR)4★ (.90)
Sid Kaba (DL)3★ (.89)
Aydan West (CB)3★ (.87)
TJ Bush Jr. (EDGE)3★ (.87)
Noah Jennings (WR)3★ (.87)
Bennett Warren (OT)3★ (.87)
Naquan Crowder (DL)3★ (.86)

Top Players

Top Performers on Roster

Greg Johnson (G)(B Block Grade)
Mekhai Smith (S)(4 Int, 0 Pd)
Drake Lindsey (QB)(2382 Yds, 18 TD)
Nathan Roy (T)(C+ Block Grade)
Maverick Baranowski (LB)(102 Tac, 9 TFL)
John Nestor (CB)(6 Int, 6 Pd)
Ashton Beers (C)(C Block Grade)
Anthony Smith (DE)(38 Tac, 18 TFL)

Recruits

Top '26 Incoming Recruits

Howie Johnson (DL)4★ (.92)
Aaden Aytch (EDGE)4★ (.92)
Roman Voss (ATH)4★ (.90)
Ryan Estrada (RB)4★ (.90)
Andrew Trout (OT)4★ (.90)
Justin Hopkins (S)3★ (.89)
Gavin Meier (OT)3★ (.89)
Aaron Thomas (OT)3★ (.89)

Overall

Four Year Ratings Profile

#69 #30 #68 #53

Offense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#105 #58 #78 #64

Defense

Four Year Ratings Profile

#37 #13 #49 #34