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In a move that should shock no one (given the fact that the conference said they were going to do this), the 2015 B1G schedule has the Gophers playing the same teams as 2014 with the home/away locations reversed. What does this look like?
10/3: @ Northwestern
10/10: @ Purdue
10/17: Nebraska
10/24: BYE
10/31: Michigan
11/7: @ OSU
11/14: @ Iowa
11/21: Illinois
11/28: Wisconsin
Thoughts On B1G Slate
- In my opinion, this might be a harder schedule than 2014. The 2014 schedule was horribly backloaded (finish with Iowa, OSU, @ Nebby, @ UW), but this one isn't much better. Also, the Gophers start with 2 road games against what may or may not prove to be 2 of the easier games on the schedule. Add in Nebby right after that and then the final 5 games you see above? /cuts self and feels better
- Only 1 bye during this season hurts. At least in 2014 there were 2 of them, even if they weren't well placed for Minnesota's needs.
- Some positives? Iowa/Wisconsin/Nebraska is more spaced out. This is especially important to me due to the fact that home games are road games when you live in Madison. Also? Halloween game against Michigan for the Jug? MAKE THIS A NIGHT GAME WHEN THE TIME COMES JOBU AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE MUCH RUM IN TRIBUTE! The rivalry games return to their traditional homes close to/on the last game of the year. And if we're only going to get 1 bye game, it's a pretty well placed one. The only other time I might prefer to see it is on 10/31.
Full 2015 Schedule
9/3: TCU (Thurs Night Game)
9/12: @ Colorado State
9/19: Kent State
9/26: Ohio
10/3: @ Northwestern
10/10: @ Purdue
10/17: Nebraska
10/24: BYE
10/31: Michigan
11/7: @ OSU
11/14: @ Iowa
11/21: Illinois
11/28: Wisconsin
Thoughts On Full Schedule
- First off, Colorado State should make for a great road trip for anyone who is interested. Easy flights in and out of Denver on a bunch of airlines (most notably from a cost standpoint, Frontier) and a great part of the country to visit. I forgot this game was in 2015 and I'm already looking forward to it.
- No FCS teams. Don't get me wrong, I hate the FCS games as a fan. But then again, I'm not going to lie that an easy win might be nice to have in a season like this one. In the end though, I'd rather see TCU at TCF.
- ALL THE OHIO MAC SCHOOLS. I was stretching for a third comment. Since you never know how a MAC team will be (seriously, there's always one that comes out of nowhere for it's big undefeated year) we'll just assume that both of these teams will suck because, why not?
- Pretty decent home slate for season ticket holders (and ticket brokers). 5 games on the schedule that could count as marquee and one of them is in the non-con? No FCS cupcakes? Only 1 weak B1G squad? Not a bad schedule from a potential revenue perspective.
- But still, this is (on paper) an ugly schedule for the team. All the same ick as the 2014 schedule only with a harder road slate, one less bye, and no FCS cupcake. Only real improvement over 2014 is the spacing of Nebby/Iowa/Wisconsin and the fact that TCU is at home.