⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Athlon Sports recently released its 2026 All-America and All-Big Ten teams and nine Gophers – four on defense, four on offense and one on special teams – were recognized. - Leading the way was defensive lineman Anthony Smith who was tabbed as a Second-Team All-America and First-Team All-Big Ten.

- Minnesota standout defensive lineman Anthony Smith was named to the 2026 Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second Team. - The 6-6, 285-pound Smith was one of the most disruptive players in college football last season and is poised for another successful year in his final season in Maroon and Gold. - He logged 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks last season as he was named All-Big Ten First Team.

- DL/LB: I always find it absurd when the media says a team/player is underrated or a dark horse, especially in the preseason.

- Injury: This is best D-Line I've seen the gophers have in awhile.

- DL/LB: Interesting ranking since Smith is mainly on the strong side, or even inside at times

- Nine Gophers were recently recognized by Phil Steele Publications as either members of the Preseason First Team All-American Team or Preseason Big Ten Team in advance of the 2026 season.

- Top Betting/Intel Takeaways - Drake Lindsey's underage-drinking arrest was discussed as a minor college-kid issue, not an availability or discipline concern; the hosts did not report any football suspension risk. - Lindsey is treated as Minnesota's clear QB1 and a legitimate long-term NFL prospect because of size, pocket passing, arm strength, and how much responsibility he already handled. - The hosts said Lindsey's 2025/2026 production was similar to Max Brosmer's one-year Minnesota output despite being a young starter, and they expect growth if the supporting cast improves. - The WR room was blamed for early-season drops and lack of separation; improvement there is the biggest lever for unlocking a more explosive offense.

- DL: Imagine Hageman at DT with this year's D-Line group.

- ESPN names Cal transfer OLB/Edge TJ Bush Jr. - Minnesota’s top newcomer; 91 pressures, 27 TFL, 13 sacks, 10 batted passes.

- Minnesota safeties post-Rossi mostly played split-field cover-1; Perich had only ~30% translatable safety reps and 25%-30% low-shoulder tackling flaws.

- Secondary could be better with improved cornerback play; kick/punt returner overrated.

- Big Ten officials could heavily influence Prince Staten’s decision.

- Anthony Smith, Minnesota DL, has double-digit sack upside; Koi Perich at 14 fwiw.

- Won't see Darius/Ant; Drake/Mav/Kerry/Nestor limited. - Michael Merdinger matchup key.

- Gophers six-deep at LB for Big Ten level. - Nate Cleveland: 10 tackles, sack. - Matt Kingsbury: sack, five tackles. - Emmanuel Karmo: pick off out route.

- PJ's dline fundamentals claim surprising; better than Rossi, Wilt, Haley era?

- DB depth options: Nestor, West, Brown, Gousby, Smith, Harden, Knutson as primary group; Parrish, Hopkins, Gerald, Monroe, Madu, Rainier as secondary group.

- Gophers receivers showed strong hands and few drops in spring game—positive sign regardless of defense/QB.

- Spring game will be vanilla: one offensive formation, no motion, limited defensive coverages/blitz, continuous clock.

- Mo Omonode back injury reduced explosiveness, limited behind-scenes buzz at Minnesota.

- LB: When I watch again down the road I will watch out for West.

- Pick/market: Need to figure out how to watch this in Spain.