The Daily Gopher
Your online home for Minnesota Golden Gophers football, basketball and hockey.
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Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week Ten
The Big Ten Power Poll after Week 10 shows massive shake‑ups. UCLA tops the list at 9‑0 after a 34‑20 win over Minnesota and now controls its CFP destiny. Indiana (8‑1) and USC (7‑2) sit at #2 and #3, both with byes and crucial games ahead. Iowa (7‑2) climbs to #4 after a 24‑10 win at Northwestern, while Oregon (6‑3) jumps to #5 following a 41‑28 upset of Ohio State, which falls to #6 after losing its starting QB and two straight conference games. Northwestern, Ohio State, and Michigan State all slump, and Wisconsin secures bowl eligibility with a 31‑10 win over Rutgers. The poll hints at a chaotic race for the Big Ten CFP bid as the season winds down.
Bobby Durkin hits game-winner to beat Cincinnati 63-61
Bobby Durkin clinches a dramatic 63-61 win for the Minnesota Golden Gophers over the Cincinnati Bearcats on Nov. 9, 2026. After trailing most of the second half, Durkin drills a deep three with 0.4 seconds left, giving Minnesota a 3-0 start and a Quad 1 non‑conference victory—the best since the 2011 North Carolina/West Virginia wins. Kyan Evans leads with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Isaac Asuma feeds Durkin the decisive pass. Cincinnati forces 17 turnovers (16 points), but Minnesota capitalizes on 13 offensive rebounds (11 points). The Gophers now face Southern and Western Illinois before a Power‑5 stretch.
OPEN THREAD: Gophers in Cincinnati to face the Bearcats
A couple of 2-0 teams looking to get a resume-building win.
3 Keys to beating Cincinnati Bearcats and how to watch
The Daily Gopher breaks down Minnesota’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Nov. 9, 2026. Both teams sit 2‑0, with Cincinnati ranked 31 and Minnesota 43 in KenPom. The article outlines three keys for a Gopher upset: curb Cincinnati’s 40% offensive rebound rate, protect the ball to avoid turnovers, and rely on a guard—Isaac Asuma or Kyan Evans—to drop 20+ points and spark Bobby Durgen’s scoring. The author predicts a low‑scoring game, favoring Minnesota 71‑67, and notes the game airs at 6:00 PM on ESPN+.
College Football Playoff announces expansion to 24 teams
The College Football Playoff Management Committee votes unanimously to expand the playoff to 24 teams starting the 2027‑28 season. The new format includes the four Power‑5 conference champions, the top non‑Power‑5 champion, and the next 19 highest‑ranked teams. Seeds 1‑8 receive first‑round byes; seeds 9‑16 host first‑round games, while seeds 17‑24 travel to those sites. Quarterfinals and semifinals move to the traditional six CFP bowls, with New Orleans slated for the Jan. 24, 2028 championship. ESPN signs a five‑year, $1.7 billion extension, and the Big Ten will drop its championship game after 2026. New scheduling standards push Power‑5s and Group‑6 schools to schedule tougher non‑conference opponents.
Minnesota Football: It’s time for a difficult conversation
The Daily Gopher examines why head coach P.J. Fleck keeps offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh despite Minnesota's consistently mediocre stats. Over Fleck's decade, the Gophers have rarely broken the Top 25 in scoring offense, averaging 24.7 points per game and ranking 64th or worse in total offense each season except 2019. By contrast, Purdue fired its defensive coordinator after a 34‑29 loss, highlighting the double standard. The article questions whether Fleck’s expectations, recruiting limits, or a focus on wins (71‑48 record) justify the stagnant offense.
Minnesota Football vs. UCLA: The Elite, The Meh & The Ugly
The Minnesota Golden Gophers fell 34-20 to No. 8 UCLA on Nov. 7, 2026, snapping their upset hopes. While the Gophers' run defense held UCLA to just 98 rushing yards through three quarters, the Bruins exploded through the air in the second half, with quarterback Ty Dieffenbach throwing two back‑to‑back 75‑yard touchdown passes. Minnesota highlighted freshman tight end George Rohl's first career TD and Jalen Smith's 85 receiving yards, but missed two 56‑yard field goals, ending Luke Drzewiecki's 26‑kick streak. Turnovers favored Minnesota, thanks to an interception by Maverick Baranowski and a strip sack by T.J. Bush, yet defensive lapses in the secondary proved costly. UCLA improved to 9-0, while Minnesota drops to 5-4.
Undefeated #8 UCLA pulls away to beat Minnesota 34-20
Undefeated #8 UCLA extends its perfect run to 9-0 by beating Minnesota 34-20 at Huntington Bank Stadium. QB Ty Dieffenbach throws just eight passes for 300 yards and three TDs, while All‑American RB Wayne Knight rushes for 109 yards. After a tied first half, the Bruins explode in the second half, scoring 24 unanswered points, highlighted by back‑to‑back 75‑yard TD receptions by Aiden Mizell. Minnesota’s next road game is at Penn State, while UCLA prepares to host Illinois next week in its CFP push.
OPEN THREAD: Gophers host undefeated #8 UCLA Bruins
Get another ranked win!
Gophers hold off late Tommie push, down St. Thomas 76-62
Isaac Asuma sparks Minnesota's 76-62 win over St. Thomas, topping the game with 20 points and four first‑half threes. The Gophers build a 40-22 halftime lead on suffocating defense, then survive a second‑half Tommie surge that trims the margin to seven. Key moments include a 16‑0 run before halftime and clutch free‑throw shooting (19‑22). Nolan Groves contributes 15 off the bench while Bobby Durkin struggles with just five points. The victory gives Minnesota a 2‑0 start before a road test against Cincinnati on Monday.
Gopher Women Head to Marquette for First Road Test
The #17/18 Minnesota Golden Gopher women’s basketball team heads to Milwaukee for their first road test of the 2026‑27 season, taking on the Marquette Golden Eagles Saturday at 2 PM. Gophers, fresh off an 82‑62 home win over Harvard, rely on transfer center Gracie Merkle (22 points vs. Harvard) and local talents Grace Grocholski (19 points in last year’s 90‑47 blowout) to exploit a size advantage—Marquette’s tallest player is 6’2, while Minnesota fields 6’6 Merkle and 6’3 transfer Tayla Thomas. Marquette enters 1‑0 after an 80‑42 rout of Mississippi Valley State, led by senior Halle Vice (17 points, 16 rebounds). The Gophers aim to repeat the dominant performance and improve to 2‑0 before hosting Southern, with the game streaming on ESPN+ and airing on the Gopher Radio Network.
3 Keys beating St. Thomas and how to watch
The Daily Gopher breaks down how Minnesota can dominate its opening‑season clash with St. Thomas on Nov. 6, 2026. Coach Niko Medved’s squad, ranked #37 by KenPom (1‑0 record), must protect the rim, control the paint against the Tommies’ 6‑9/6‑10 frontcourt, and shut down sophomore guard Tim Franks, who shot 6‑of‑9 from three in their debut win. The preview predicts a decisive 81‑63 victory for the Gophers, noting the game’s low scheduling value and the expected early‑game adjustment. The broadcast airs at 7 p.m. on Peacock from The Barn, with strong fan turnout despite the perceived mismatch.
Minnesota Football vs. UCLA: Staff Predictions
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3) aim to rebound from a loss to Indiana when they host No. 8 UCLA (8-0) at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7. Fans and commentators predict a tight matchup: GopherNation believes a defensive effort could secure a win, while others note UCLA’s strong defense and the Gophers’ offensive struggles. Several pundits discuss the need for Minnesota to improve play‑calling and capitalize on special teams. The preview highlights the contrasting records, the venue, and the divisive fan sentiment ahead of what could be a close contest.
Gopher Men Host #1 Wisconsin in Thursday/ Saturday Series
The #1 Wisconsin Badgers, unbeaten at 6-0 and boasting a 29-5 goal differential, head to 3M Arena for a Thursday/Saturday series against the #18 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Wisconsin’s offense ranks 5th nationally (4.8 GPG) while its defense sits second (0.8 GPG), led by forwards Vasily Zelenov (9 points) and a deep scoring roster, and goaltenders Daniel Hauser and Alexis Cournoyer (combined 3-0-0). Minnesota, fresh off back‑to‑back overtime wins over Penn State, relies on Christian Humphries (5 goals, 6 points) and goaltenders Luca Di Pasquo and Melvin Strahl. The Gophers aim to extend their recent 7‑2‑1 edge in the last ten meetings, despite scheduling clashes with basketball and football on campus.
3 Keys to beating UCLA and how to watch
The Daily Gopher breaks down three crucial tactics Minnesota needs to upset #8 UCLA in the 11 a.m. Fox broadcast on Saturday: stifle UCLA’s run game, dominate the turnover battle (UCLA leads the Big Ten with 16 interceptions and 10 fumbles recovered), and improve red‑zone efficiency. Key players include backup‑turned‑starter QB Ty Dieffenbach and linebacker‑safety Ta’Shawn James, who leads the team with four interceptions. With a home‑field advantage and a 16‑10 edge in turnover margin, the Gophers aim to hand UCLA its first loss of the season.
2026 Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NFL: Week 8
Week 8 proved mixed for former Minnesota Gophers in the NFL. The biggest headline is Dallas tight end Brevyn Spann‑Ford emerging as the Cowboys’ TE1, hauling in four catches for 31 yards in an overtime loss to the Cardinals. Antoine Winfield Jr. returns to the Packers’ secondary after a stint on the IR, while rookie Terell Smith makes his Steelers debut on special teams. The stretch was marred by a season‑ending elbow injury to safety Eric Murray (Ravens) and a bye for the Texans. Other notable performances include Jack Gibbons’ 11 tackles for Arizona and Madrid Boye Mafe’s sack and forced fumble for Cincinnati. The recap covers each Gopher‑linked player’s snap counts, stats, and injury updates.
Minnesota Football: RoWINg to UCLA – Opponent Preview
The Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-3) travel to Huntington Bank Stadium on Nov. 7 to face unbeaten No. 5 UCLA (8-0). UCLA’s explosive ground game, led by senior running back Wayne Knight’s 680 yards and 12 touchdowns, averages 281.5 rushing yards per game, while its offense thrives under coordinator Dean Kennedy’s complex schemes. However, the Bruins lost starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to a season‑ending knee injury, leaving backup Ty Dieffenbach struggling with sub‑60% completions and no rushing threat. Minnesota must rely on a game plan focused on stopping the run, as UCLA ranks 10th in run defense (87.2 yds/game) and 5th in scoring defense (13.4 ppg). With UCLA’s turnover‑heavy defense and Minnesota’s recent offensive woes, the preview questions whether the Gophers can crack the Bruins’ stout front.
Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week Nine
The Daily Gopher’s Week 9 Big Ten Power Poll ranks UCLA at #1 (8‑0, 27‑0 win over Nevada) heading to Minneapolis as 5.5‑point favorites, while Indiana sits #2 (8‑1) after a 23‑16 OT win over Minnesota. USC (7‑2) claims the #3 spot after a 30‑18 victory at Ohio State, who fall to #4 (6‑2) despite a busy November schedule. Iowa (6‑2) holds #5 after a 30‑0 shutout of Wisconsin, and Northwestern (7‑2) drops to #6 following a 34‑26 loss at Oregon. The poll previews key matchups, including UCLA vs. the Gophers and USC’s upcoming showdown in Bloomington.
Gopher Women Defeat Harvard 82-62
Minnesota's #17/18 women’s basketball team opens the 2026-27 season with a dominant 82-62 victory over Harvard. New transfers Leah Harmon, Tayla Thomas and Penn State center Gracie Merkle immediately impact, with Merkle scoring a team‑high 22 points in 18 minutes. Freshmen Grace Grocholski adds 20 points, five assists and a crucial three‑pointer late in the third quarter, while sophomore Tayla Thomas posts a double‑double (13 points, 10 rebounds). After a tight first three quarters, the Gophers surge in the final period with a 21‑4 run to seal the win and improve to 1‑0.
Minnesota Football: Breaking down the Gophers’ passing game vs. Indiana
The Minnesota Golden Gophers' passing attack struggled against Indiana, managing just 120 yards on 20-of-37 attempts by sophomore QB Drake Lindsey. A 39‑yard flea‑flicker to tight end Roman Voss was the highlight, but Indiana’s savvy defense—especially safety Preston Zachman and DE Tobi Osunsanmi—disrupted key plays and forced a sack on Lindsey in the fourth quarter. Minnesota ranks 90th nationally and 13th in the Big Ten in passing, relying on short routes and rare downfield tricks like a reverse‑toss TD that echoed a 2024 Penn State game. The article breaks down the schematics and why Indiana’s scouting prevailed.
Gophers open the season with 85-50 win over North Dakota
The Minnesota Gophers kick off the 2026 season with a commanding 85-50 victory over the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. After a 1-3 start, they explode on a 14-2 run, highlighted by Bobby Durkin’s 16 points (4‑of‑5 from three) and Malick Kordel’s triple‑dunk spree that stretched the lead to 28. The Gopher defense forces a 28.8% shooting night for UND (3‑of‑28 from three) while the team dishes out 28 assists on 34 makes, continuing last year's nation‑leading assist rate. Freshman depth, strong rebounding and swarming defense set a tone for a promising season as they prepare to host St. Thomas next.
OPEN THREAD: Gopher basketball tips off against North Dakota
The Fighting Hawks come to the Barn.
2026 Golden Gopher Women’s Basketball Season Preview
The Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team opens the 2026‑27 season Sunday at 5 PM against Harvard, aiming to repeat a Sweet 16 run for the first time since 2005. Coach Lindsay Whalen must replace six major departures, including All‑Big Ten guard Amaya Battle and center Sophie Hart, while coping with a season‑ending leg injury to star guard Tori McKinney, who led the team with 12.7 PPG and earned All‑Big Ten honors. Eight players return, but only five were regulars last year, forcing depth players to step up. New transfers and a deep roster will be key to filling the scoring void.
Minnesota Football: Luke Drzewiecki named Big Ten Special Teams Co-Player of the Week (again)
Minnesota kicker Luke Drzewiecki earns Big Ten Special Teams Co‑Player of the Week honors for a second straight week after nailing three field goals in a 23‑16 overtime loss to Indiana, highlighted by a career‑long 60‑yard kick that gave the Gophers a brief lead with 20 seconds left. He shares the award with Indiana’s Paddy McAteer, who also hit a 60‑yard field goal to force overtime – the first time both teams have recorded 60‑yarders in the same game. Drzewiecki is perfect on the season (15‑of‑15) and previously won the weekly award for performances against Washington and Iowa.
3 Keys to the Gophers beating North Dakota and how to watch
The Daily Gopher previews the season‑opening showdown on Nov. 2 as Minnesota (0‑0, KenPom #42) hosts North Dakota (0‑0, KenPom #331) at Williams Arena. Key to a Gopher win: sustain last year’s ball‑movement ethos, quickly lock in a new rotation, and dominate the paint against UND’s smaller frontcourt, despite the threat of transfer Andrija Radojevic. The author predicts an 81‑68 Gopher victory, noting the game streams only on B1G+ and most fans will wait for the Nov. 6 St. Thomas matchup.
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