Minnesota is a program on the rise. Jerry Kill guided the Golden Gophers to the postseason in his second season and given the recent history of the program, that's quite a statement.
Now the trick is to navigate through a challenging Big Ten schedule, get back to a bowl game and end a five-game postseason losing streak. Minnesota's last bowl win came in 2004, a 20-16 victory over Alabama in the Music City Bowl.
There is an opportunity to start 5-0, but then a schedule of conference heavyweights — at Michigan and Northwestern, Nebraska at home — come calling. The Golden Gophers' fate will likely come down to the last four games — at Indiana, Penn State, Wisconsin and at Michigan State.
Thanks to Chris.