The 2025 season is finally here and the exciting start to the Drake Lindsey era is upon us. Here is what it will take for the Gophers to be 1-0 in the Buffalo week.
How to Watch
TV: FS1
Time: 7:00 pm
Stream: FoxSports.com
Most seasons tend to have a middling MAC program and often the Gophers struggle to get their feet under them before putting the team away…eventually. This year we face Buffalo. The good news for the Bulls is that they are returning a lot of their production from last year. They rank
2nd in the MAC in returning production. The bad news? Well, there really isn’t much bad news. They are a contender in the MAC this season after an 8-4 record last year. ESPN projects them to finish 3rd, The Hustle Belt predicts they will win the MAC and MAC coaches picked them to finish 4th.
So this is maybe more than just a middling MAC program and the Gophers better be ready for a team that’s looking for a signature win.
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Be disciplined and sharp on offense – This Bulls defense returns a ton of starters and is experienced. The Gopher offense, particularly with new OL, new WRs and a new QB, are not going to be able to move the ball just because they are Big Ten players. They better execute their assignments, open holes for Taylor, do the unsexy things necessary win their individual battles. This might be a tall task for game one of the season.
The ball is the program – Turnovers always matter, this is obvious. But again, this Bulls defense is experienced and giving them a glimmer of hope with a gift turnover over (or two) is
Make them pass the ball – This is not something I expect I will often put as a key for this year’s Gopher defense, but I’d love to see them shut down the ground game and make Buffalo one-dimensional. They return much of their OL and their 1,000 yard running back. So shutting down the run to force their new transfer quarterback into a lot of passing down should be ideal.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #3 QB – Ta’Quan Roberson – Formerly a Penn State recruit who was in Happy Valley for three seasons before transferring to UConn where he was the Huskies starter in 2023. After a 2,000 yard passing season at UConn, he transferred to Kansas State, seeing action in six games. Roberson now moves to Buffalo and is the likely starter.
- #2 LB – Red Murdoch – A potential MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Murdoch was 2nd in the nation in tackles last year and also had 16.5 TFLs. This guy is going to make plays
PREDICTION
My first prediction here is that the Gophers are going to take a shot or two early, to really show what Drake Lindsey can do. If they connect on this, they will roll. If they miss (which feels like a realistic possibility) then it will be a slow start with a score like 10-3 or 10-7 at halftime.
The Gophers will pull away and win, giving up a score or two in the second half, but this won’t really be in doubt. A defensive breakdown or two or some offensive struggles aren’t necessarily a bad thing…as long as they win. But put some things on film that needs to be corrected and move on the Northwestern State next week.
College football is back, beautiful nights/afternoons at Huntingbank Stadium are back.
Minnesota – 24
Buffalo – 13
