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First Look: Minnesota

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Aug 28, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Huntington Bank Stadium. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s sixth opponent of the 2025 season, the Minnesota Golden Gophers:

Date/Time: Saturday, October 11, 7:30 p.m. EDT

Location: Huntington Bank Stadium

Surface: FieldTurf

Capacity: 50.805 (tickets)

Weather: The early forecast shows a high of 77 degrees with breeze

2025 schedules/rosters: Purdue schedule | Purdue roster | Minnesota schedule | Minnesota roster

Series notes: Although Purdue won each of the last two meetings, it’s Minnesota that holds the all-time series advantage. The Gophers lead the series 41-35-3 against their former Big Ten West counterparts from West Lafayette. The home/road splits in this series are stark: Minnesota leads 33-14-3 in Minneapolis and trails 8-21 in West Lafayette. Purdue last played in Huntington Bank Stadium in 2022, when Jeff Brohm’s Boilermakers upset then-No. 21 Minnesota 20-10 by forcing three interceptions. In the last meeting in the series, Purdue’s offense exploded in a 49-30 win in 2023 in West Lafayette.

TV: BTN

Early line: Minnesota -10.5, O/U 52.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Desperate for success

The recent numbers don’t look pretty. Purdue enters on a three-game skid, losing by an average margin of 19.33 points against power conference foes. The Boilermakers will hit the road this weekend in search of their first road win since Sept. 9, 2023, when they survived a record-long rain delay to hold on, defeating Virginia Tech 24-17 in Blacksburg. The last Big Ten road win? You’d need to go back to 2022. Purdue closed the regular season by downing rival Indiana in Bloomington, a win that clinched the Big Ten West championship for Purdue.

Finally, Purdue hopes this week can provide its first win over a Power Four opponent since the 2023 season finale, when a late comeback pushed Purdue past Indiana. Since the start of last season, Purdue has remained winless, losing all 13 contests against Power Four competition.

Holes in the boat?

Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck has brought success and stability to a program that’s struggled to find either in recent history. Since a tough debut season in 2017, Fleck’s program has made a bowl game in all but one season, the abbreviated 2020 campaign.

While the Gophers look likely to return to postseason play, entering this week with a 3-2 record, it doesn’t look like Fleck’s strongest squad. Minnesota has dropped both of its road contests by sizable margins (13 at Cal, 39 at Ohio State), and it eeked out a three-point win over Rutgers in Minneapolis a few weeks back. Minnesota doesn’t boast the strong rushing attack, with Darius Taylor battling injury, that’s defined much of Fleck’s tenure, and the defense looks good-but-not-great.

Room for improvement

Purdue coach Barry Odom didn’t hide his frustration following his team’s 43-27 loss to Illinois. He expressed his frustration in his players and coaching staff, calling the performance “awful.” While Purdue continued to fight until the final whistle, Odom noted that playing hard is the bare minimum expectation.

The good news? Purdue can improve. Odom seemed optimistic that corner Tony Grimes could return to the field this week. His absence undoubtedly played a role in several coverage busts, which led to Illinois completing five passes of 35 yards or more. And, as Ryan Browne continues to stack game experience, the offense could improve on an already-solid start.

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