Minnesota Gophers Practice Report: Fleck Sees Triple the Playmakers
Minneapolis, MN - Breaking down why the Gophers received zero votes and what it means for the 2025 season
Gophers Completely Shut Out of Preseason Rankings
The Minnesota Golden Gophers football program received a harsh reality check on Monday, August 12, 2025, when the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll was released. The Gophers were not only excluded from the rankings but received zero votes from AP voters—a stark reminder of the program's current national perception.
The Numbers Tell the Story
According to the latest AP poll results:
Minnesota received: 0 votes
Big Ten teams ranked: 6 total
Minnesota's 2025 opponents ranked: 4 total
The complete shutout represents a significant challenge for P.J. Fleck's program as they enter the 2025 season with minimal national recognition.
2025 Preseason AP Top 25 Rankings
Top 10:
Texas (28 first-place votes) - 1,606 points
Penn State (23 first-place votes) - 1,547 points
Ohio State (14 first-place votes) - 1,525 points
Big Ten Representation
The Big Ten landed 6 teams in the preseason Top 25:
#2 Penn State
#3 Ohio State
#7 Oregon
#16 Michigan
#20 Nebraska
#21 Iowa
Notable: Minnesota's rivals Iowa (#21) and Nebraska (#20) both received rankings, highlighting the gap between the Gophers and their more traditional Big Ten competitors.
Why Minnesota Was Excluded
Offensive Struggles
According to analysis from GopherHole.com, "There is no really good reason to rank Minnesota right now. They haven't been a strong offensive team since 2019."
Recent Performance History
2024 Season: The Gopher were 8-4(5-4) last but performance hasn't warranted national attention for voters.
Recruiting Rankings: The program was ranked in the mid-40s for 2024 across most publications, stifling some buzz around the program externally. However, 2024 class was ranked in the top 15. The upcoming 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked 14th.
Schedule Strength: May be a limiting factor currently, however, if the Gopher take advantage of their 2025 schedule they will be ranked most of the season.
National Perception Gap
The complete absence of votes suggests AP voters view Minnesota as:
A mid-tier Big Ten program
Lacking star power or breakthrough potential
Not competitive with ranked conference opponents
Silver Lining: Favorable Schedule
Limited Ranked Opponents
The positive news for Minnesota is that only 4 of their 2025 opponents are currently ranked:
Ranked Opponents:
#3 Ohio State (October 4 @ Columbus) - Defending national champions
#7 Oregon (November 14 @ Eugene) - Big Ten champions
#21 Iowa (October 25 @ Iowa City) - Floyd of Rosedale rivalry
#20 Nebraska (October 17 vs Minnesota) - Home game advantage
This schedule setup provides Minnesota with realistic opportunities to exceed expectations and potentially crack the rankings during the season.
Path to Rankings During Season
Realistic Scenarios for Minnesota to Enter Rankings
Early Season Opportunities:
Dominate non-conference games (Buffalo, Northwestern State, California)
Win home games against conference opponents (Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska)
Upset potential against Michigan State or Wisconsin
Mid-Season Breakthrough:
7-1 or 8-0 start would likely generate Top 25 consideration
Competitive performance against Ohio State or Oregon could boost perception
Convincing Trophy game victories over Iowa and Wisconsin would signal continued program growth
Historical Context
Programs regularly enter the Top 25 during the season after strong starts. Minnesota's 5 early home games provide the perfect opportunity for building momentum and national attention.
Big Ten Conference Implications
Conference Hierarchy
The preseason rankings establish a clear Big Ten hierarchy:
Tier 1 (Elite): Ohio State (#3), Penn State (#2), Oregon (#7)
Tier 2 (Ranked): Michigan (#16), Nebraska (#20), Iowa (#21)
Tier 3 (Unranked): Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State, others
The Nebraska Paradox: Questionable Ranking Logic
Perhaps the most glaring inconsistency in the preseason AP poll is Nebraska's #20 ranking despite facing remarkably similar struggles to Minnesota over the past decade. The Cornhuskers' 2024 season marked their first winning record since 2016 and first bowl appearance in eight years, hardly the résumé of a program deserving preseason recognition. Like Minnesota, Nebraska has battled offensive inconsistency, and mediocre Big Ten performance throughout the 2010s and early 2020s. However, Minnesota has achieved multiple 8+ win seasons under P.J. Fleck, including an 11-2 campaign in 2019, yet receives zero consideration. The ranking appears based more on Nebraska's historical brand than recent performance, highlighting the subjective nature of preseason polls. This discrepancy adds fuel for Gophers fans who see their October 17 home matchup as a perfect opportunity to expose the poll voters' flawed logic.
What This Means for 2025
Reduced Pressure
Advantages of being unranked:
No target on their back in early season conference play
Opportunity to exceed expectations
Less media scrutiny and pressure
Underdog mentality can motivate players
Motivation Factor
P.J. Fleck can use the snub as:
Bulletin board material
Evidence of disrespect to motivate players
Proof that the program must earn recognition through performance
Realistic Goals
Without preseason ranking pressure, Minnesota can focus on:
Bowl eligibility (6+ wins)
Trophy game success (Iowa, Wisconsin)
Conference competitiveness (5+ Big Ten wins)
Building toward 2026 rankings consideration
Looking Ahead: Weekly Poll Opportunities
Key Games for Rankings Consideration
Week 7: vs Nebraska (October 17) - Beat ranked opponent at home
Week 8: @ Iowa (October 25) - Floyd of Rosedale upset potential
Week 9: vs Michigan State (November 1) - Conference positioning
Week 12: vs Wisconsin (November 29) - Paul Bunyan's Axe finale
Historical Perspective
Programs That Rose During Season
Recent examples of unranked teams entering Top 25:
Teams starting 6-0 or better typically receive votes
Conference upset victories generate immediate attention
Strong finishes to regular season create bowl momentum
Minnesota's Ranking History
The Gophers haven't maintained consistent Top 25 presence in recent years, making breakthrough seasons more impactful when they occur. Programs like Minnesota can benefit from low expectations rather than living up to preseason hype.
Conclusion: Opportunity in Anonymity
The Minnesota Gophers' exclusion from the preseason AP Top 25 represents both challenge and opportunity. While the zero votes highlight the program's current national standing, the favorable schedule and reduced expectations create the perfect environment for breakthrough performance.
Key Takeaways:
No votes = No pressure but also no respect
Only 2 ranked opponents creates realistic path to success
7 home games provide platform for building momentum
Trophy games offer chances for signature victories
The 2025 season presents Minnesota with a clean slate to prove their worth through performance rather than preseason hype. For a program building toward sustained success, this anonymity might be exactly what P.J. Fleck needs to exceed expectations and earn their way into the national conversation.
The message is clear: Minnesota must earn their ranking on the field, one game at a time.
External Sources
NCAA.com - Texas, Penn State, Ohio State lead preseason AP Top 25
Saturday Tradition - Big Ten lands 6 teams in preseason poll
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Minnesota Gophers Football 2025 Schedule: Complete Preview & Analysis
P.J. Fleck Contract Extension: What It Means for Gophers Future
Floyd of Rosedale 2025: Minnesota vs Iowa Trophy Game Preview
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Last Updated: August 13, 2025 at 9:36 AM CT
