New Mexico State heads north looking for redemption in Minnesota

Week zero is behind us. It was a disappointment, but we need to forget about it. The good thing about failure is it helps us learn. Nobody learns anything from instant success.

With that being said, the Aggies get another chance to fix their offense Thursday in Minneapolis as they take on P.J. Fleck and the ROWING Golden Gophers.

Game Details

Date: Thursday, August 30, 5 p.m. MT

Location: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: 99.5 KXPZ

Betting Line: Minnesota is favored by 20.5 points

Series History: The series is currently tied 1-1. Minnesota won the last meeting 44-21 in 2013 in Las Cruces but the last time they played in Minneapolis...this happened...

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Like the Aggies, the Gophers are breaking in a new quarterback in their first game. Walk-on true freshman Zack Annexstad will be the starter, leading a group that has a combined 0 collegiate snaps and are all freshman. Minnesota is one of three teams in the FBS with quarterback groups with no collegiate snaps.

As a team, the Gophers are very young. 69.9% of their roster is underclassmen which is fifth highest in the country. With that being said, they still have talent throughout the roster.

RB Rodney Smith is a shifty senior who comes into the season as “the man”, rushing for 977 yards and three touchdowns last year. The Gophers did also have Shannon Brooks at the position but he is out for the year with a torn ACL.

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The leading returning receiver from last year is Tyler Johnson. The junior wideout recorded 677 yards and seven touchdowns last year but missed the end of last season due to injury.

Like NM State, how well their offense works remains a mystery.

On defense, the Gophers are a lot more experienced.

Leading the charge is LB Thomas Barber coming off a 115 tackle season, he is the main playmaker for the Gophers. Other notable defenders include S Jacob Huff, CB Antoine Winfield Jr., DE Carter Coughlin and LB Blake Cashman.

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Prediction

The Aggies will get their offense going better than they did on Saturday and will play tough the first quarter but will wear out quick playing their second game in a five day span.

Golden Gophers 31 Aggies 14