⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Pick/market: It should be a blowout so I don’t think anyone sees more than 35-40 plays.

- Minnesota's consensus win total is 6.5 with plus money on the over, while the author assigns a 70 percent chance to at least seven wins and projects an 8-4 regular season. - The schedule contains only two likely two-touchdown-underdog spots and two clear two-touchdown-favorite spots, leaving eight games expected to be priced within roughly one touchdown. - Quarterback Drake Lindsey returns for a second starting season alongside proven running back Darius Taylor, while Greg Johnson, Ashton Beers and Nathan Roy anchor the strongest portion of the offensive line. - Minnesota's defensive foundation includes edge Anthony Smith, additional pass rushers TJ Bush and Karter Menz, 100-tackle linebacker Maverick Baranowski and experienced defensive backs John Nestor and Kerry Brown. - The principal downside risks are unproven skill talent beyond Taylor, the right side of the offensive line, inexperienced defensive tackles against the run and a special-teams unit that must improve despite coordinator Daniel Da Prato's strong track record.

- Pick/market: College Football News picks Minnesota, 49-3 It’s not like Minnesota will be looking to set an early tone to the season by piling on poor Eastern Illinois, but it will want to stress-test the...

- LB: It's going to be hot and humid all week including for the opener.

- Injury: Schools will submit availability reports beginning three days before a contest and concluding with a game-day report.

- QB/LB: If Drake Lindsey passes for 3,200 yards, completion percentage of 70%, 30 touchdowns, and a QB rating above 140.

- Pick/market: Book It: Five Predictions for the Gophers' 2026 season.