As the University of Minnesota football team prepares for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on January 3rd in Charlotte, North Carolina, fans are already turning their attention to the upcoming 2025 season.
The Gophers announced their 2025 regular season schedule, featuring an exciting mix of home games, road tests, and some high-profile matchups. Here’s an early look at the 12-game season for P.J. Fleck and his squad.
Season Opener: Hosting Buffalo
The 2025 season kicks off on Thursday, August 28, with the Gophers hosting the Buffalo Bulls at Huntington Bank Stadium. Buffalo, coming off an 8-4 season, looks to be a tough opponent, but the Gophers will have the home field advantage as they begin the year under the lights.
Home Game Against Northwestern State
On September 6, the Gophers will face Northwestern State, a team that struggled last season with an 0-12 record. This game will provide Minnesota a chance to fine-tune their roster before diving into more competitive matchups.
A Western Test at California
September 13 brings a road game against California, who recently made the jump to the ACC. The Bears went 6-6 in 2024 and will offer a solid test for the Gophers as they prepare for Big Ten play.
Early Bye Week
After three games, the Gophers will take a well-timed bye week on September 20 to rest up for a tough slate of conference matchups.
Big Ten Opener: Rutgers at Home
The Big Ten schedule kicks off on September 27 with a home game against Rutgers. Minnesota will be looking for revenge after a loss to the Scarlet Knights in 2024, making this an early must-win game for the Gophers.
Tough Road Stretch: Ohio State and Purdue
Minnesota travels to Ohio State on October 4, where they’ll face one of the top teams in the country. After a return home to face Purdue on October 11, the Gophers will need to handle business against the Boilermakers, who had a rough season in 2024.
Nebraska Comes to Town
On October 18, the Gophers will host Nebraska, a team they have dominated in recent years under Fleck. With Fleck’s perfect 5-0 record against the Cornhuskers, this game will be a chance to maintain that success.
Rivalry Week: Iowa at Kinnick
October 25 marks the highly anticipated rivalry game against Iowa, where Minnesota will once again battle for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. After nearly pulling off the win in 2024, Fleck and his team will look to reclaim the coveted trophy in Iowa City.
Michigan State and a Much-Needed Bye Week
On November 1, the Gophers will host Michigan State in another pivotal Big Ten matchup. After six straight games, the Gophers will get a bye week on November 8 before traveling to Oregon on November 15. The Ducks are expected to be one of the top teams in the country, making this a challenging road trip for Minnesota.
Wrigley Field and Northwestern
The Gophers will make history on November 22 when they take on Northwestern at Wrigley Field, the historic home of the Chicago Cubs. Minnesota will be eager to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to the Wildcats in 2023.
The Axe Game: Minnesota vs Wisconsin
Finally, the Gophers will close out their regular season on November 29 with the annual Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe against Wisconsin. After reclaiming the Axe in 2024, Minnesota will look to extend their winning streak over the Badgers and continue their dominance in this historic rivalry.
Looking Ahead
P.J. Fleck’s Gophers are primed for another exciting season in 2025. With a mix of challenging conference games and intriguing non-conference matchups, this season promises to bring plenty of drama and excitement. Stay tuned as we continue to follow the Gophers’ journey through the upcoming year!