It's time for college football. And once more, the Gophers and PJ Fleck are expected to be in the middle of the Big Ten, with enough talent to get to a bowl game, but are riding on the edge with a very difficult conference schedule.
It helps to have a QB in place, however. Drake Lindsey gives the Minnesota Gophers a reliable quarterback to center their offense around after a promising first season as the starter.
The 6-foot-5 Lindsey has leading rusher Darius Taylor, starting wide receivers Jalen Smith and Javon Tracy, and standout left guard Greg Johnson to lean on in 2026.
The Gophers also have Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Anthony Smith back from their 2025 team that went 8-5. Smith led the conference in sacks last year. Minnesota opens at home on Sept. 3 against Eastern Illinois before the schedule toughens up with five ranked Big Ten opponents.
Andy Greder covers Gopher football for the Pioneer Press and says having your QB in place to start the season is a real plus.
"I think it's one of the biggest sources of optimism around the program is what Drake Lindsey can do and show his next stage in his development," Greder explained to WCCO's Steve Thomson. "I thought he had a really strong freshman year and I think he's got the size, he's got the strong arm, he's got the ability to run a pro-style offense. He's got enough experience, I feel, to take a real big sizable jump here this year."
There's been plenty of turnover on the roster after another bowl-winning season by Fleck and the maroon and gold. But that's just the way it goes in the NCAA and especially in college football in 2026. Greder says the Gophers were relatively stable, and that will also be a positive for this season.
"There's a lot of turnover on rosters, and while that's true, the Gophers are one of the exceptions," Greder said. "They're one of the highest in the country in returning production on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. And I think that's also another source of why I think this could be a potentially good Gopher season here."
The new world of college football basically makes players, at least top players, an employee of the university. That's a challenge for schools like Minnesota that may not have the funds of other programs like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and others. That makes it important for Minnesota to hang onto those players they recruit as freshman. So far, Fleck has had success.
"I think it's absolutely vital for a program like Minnesota that doesn't have the big funds of money to be able to go out in the portal and buy the best players at different programs within the conference," Greder says. "So while the Gophers are in the bottom half when it comes to roster spending, they have to really rely on getting the right guys, developing them, identifying the right guys that want to take a step up or a lateral move within the portal that aren't gonna be the big dollar signings. I think that's paramount for them to be able to be successful."
Expectations
After a promising performance during his 2025 debut as the starting quarterback, Drake Lindsey has entered his third year with the program as the 6-foot-5 centerpiece of an offense that has significantly evolved in recent seasons from a heavy and predictable reliance on run-pass options and inside zone runs.
Offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. has helped unlock a pro-style passing attack, and Lindsey has leading rusher Darius Taylor, starting wide receivers Jalen Smith and Javon Tracy, and the bulk of the offensive line back to lean on. That continuity and experience will be as critical as ever in coach P.J. Fleck's 10th year. Five of Minnesota's Big Ten opponents are ranked in the preseason AP Top 25.
Having become one of the most consistent programs in the middle of the Big Ten pack with a 40-25 record over the last five years, Gophers fans are eager for a breakthrough season.
Strengths start with rushing the passer
Defensive end Anthony Smith's decision to return for a fifth year was another vital boost. The 2025 conference leader in sacks was named the Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and is on track to be an early NFL draft pick next spring.
The Gophers, who had the second-most sacks in the conference last season behind only Indiana, are well-stocked with edge rushers and even deeper behind them at linebacker, starting with fifth-year standout Maverick Baranowski. Cornerback John Nestor tied for the Big Ten lead with six interceptions last season, and fourth-year safety Kerry Brown gives the Gophers another experienced playmaker in the secondary. Left guard Greg Johnson, another one of Minnesota's top NFL prospects, is a seasoned anchor for the offensive line who started all 26 games the last two years.
Weaknesses are apparent on the ground
The balancing and modernization of the offense over the last two seasons hasn’t all been smooth. The Gophers tumbled to last in the conference in 2025 in total rushing, and only Wisconsin ranked lower than them in yards per attempt. Bouncing back on the ground will start with a healthy Taylor and require another running back or two to emerge as a productive reliever. True freshman Ryan Estrada has been one of the standout newcomers of fall camp.
The right side of the offensive line was not up to par last year, an area to watch once Big Ten play gets going. Minnesota’s ability to stop the run also will be a question mark, with the top four interior defensive linemen from last year gone to graduation.
New faces
RB T.J. Thomas (transferred from Elon), WR Noah Jennings (transferred from Cincinnati), DT Naquan Crowder (transferred from Marshall), DE T.J. Bush Jr. (transferred from California), CB Aydan West (transferred from Michigan State).
Key losses
WR Le'Meke Brockington (NFL), TE Jameson Geers (NFL), DT Deven Eastern (NFL), DT Jalen Logan-Redding (graduated), S Koi Perich (transferred to Oregon).
Biggest games for the Gophers
At Washington (Sept. 26), vs. Michigan (Oct. 3), vs. Iowa (Oct. 24).
