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Illinois Football: How the Big Ten will shake out for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck addresses the media after the Big Ten rivalry game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Gophers 31-0. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck addresses the media after the Big Ten rivalry game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Gophers 31-0. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Minnesota Golden Gophers 4-8

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have gone through some turmoil the past few seasons. They managed to win five games last year but fell short of a bowl berth. They also lost the final two games by a score of 70-0.

Minnesota’s quarterback situation is a complete mess, but they do have some good defensive players returning and their running back corps is solid. Also, don’t forget, they row the boat now.

The Golden Gophers should do well in the non-conference. They will beat New Mexico State and Miami (OH) in two of the three games. They will fall to Fresno State, though. This three-game stretch will lead into Big Ten play.

I see Minnesota beating Maryland the first game of their conference schedule. The Terrapins will have a terrible season. They will then drop games against Iowa and Ohio State because both of those teams are better than Minnesota. The Golden Gophers will then take down the Nebraska Cornhuskers to start Big Ten play 2-2.

The final stretch of games for Minnesota will trip them up. I have them falling to Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin. This will be a rough stretch for Minnesota that will bring their record to 4-8 on the season with five straight losses.

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