Minnesota Football: Welcome to bye week

Welcome to Bye Week? Already? It feels weird to write about a bye week for Week 3, but that’s the schedule this season. On the plus side, my wife and I have friends visiting and as a result I don’t have to worry about being “that guy” and checking my phone the whole time we’re out enjoying Octoberfest here in Cincy. On the negative side, I’m now responsible for blogging about a bye week while 4 players are under investigation for...something. So yay?

Things to watch for this week

• More news on KiAnte Hardin and Ray Buford, safety Dior Johnson and Tamarion Johnson. [UPDATED 11:50 am CT] At this point we know that whatever they did got them suspended for Indiana State (at a minimum). Thanks to Andy Greder of the PiPress, we also know that the Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that the four were mentioned in an active investigation and that the department is working to confirm their possible involvement in the undisclosed case. What does that mean? We don’t know. But I expect we’ll find out later this week. UPDATE: Per Andy Greder the four are possibly linked to an alleged criminal sexual conduct case.
• Angst from Purdue, Northwestern, and Illinois fans. Bye weeks are boring, so I’m going to enjoy preparing WTBD with the gnomes. Northwestern is objectively horrible right now, Purdue is now on DEFCON 2 for firing Darrell Hazell, and Illinois fans made the mistake of hope in Lovie Smith’s second week.
• Injury updates. We know Lingen is out for a month (at least), but what I’ll have my eye on is news on other injured Gophers like Shannon Brooks.
• Fall things. Bye weeks are good for yard work, enjoying nature, and other things that don’t put you on your couch. Don’t miss out on that opportunity.

What are you going to do with your bye week?