2021-2022 CFB Big Ten West preview: Key players, schedule, predictions 

Minnesota Golden Gophers: Big Ten West

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota is coming off one of the more disappointing Big Ten seasons in 2020. The Golden Gophers had high hopes heading into the 2020 season but the pandemic and opt-outs dented those hopes tremendously.

Minnesota lost its top wide receiver, Rashod Bateman, who took his talents to the NFL. The Golden Gophers enter the 2021 season with little chance of success, with PFF only giving Minnesota a 4% chance of winning the Big Ten. They'll open their season against the Ohio State Buckeyes at home.

Measured expectations will be key for the Golden Gophers this season. Here's a quick look at their strengths and weaknesses heading into the season.

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2021-2022 Big Ten West Conference preview: Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota QB Tanner Morgan

Minnesota's strengths: Minnesota is another Big Ten West team with tremendous talent on its offensive line. Offensively, Minnesota ranks in the top five in all offensive positions. The Golden Gophers also have the second-best running back position in the Big Ten.

movers & shakers pic.twitter.com/TVibH033fA

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) June 30, 2021

Minnesota's weaknesses: It's easy to believe that the Minnesota Golden Gophers have a liability at the wide receiver position. The Golden Gophers lack depth out wide, which is a big problem. Their biggest weakness, though, is the secondary. Minnesota has the 11th-ranked secondary in the Big Ten heading into the 2021 season.

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Minnesota Gold Gophers key players: Offense

RB: Mohamed Ibrahim - Minnesota will return senior running back Mohamed Ibrahim in 2021. Ibrahim has been massive for the Golden Gophers offense, rushing for over 1,000 yards in two of the three previous seasons. His 2020 season was his most successful, rushing for 15 touchdowns.

Mohamed Ibrahim: Preseason All-Big Ten RBFIRST-TEAM 💪 pic.twitter.com/hJIagHYrjP

— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 30, 2021

QB: Tanner Morgan - Morgan is another senior leader on offense for the Golden Gophers. Minnesota's quarterback had his best season in 2019 when he threw for 3,253 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. The Golden Gophers are hoping that Tanner Morgan can replicate his 2019 season this year.

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Minnesota Golden Gophers key players: Defense

Edge: Boye Mafe - Minnesota's defensive line will be led by senior edge rusher Boye Mafe. The Golden Gophers senior set career highs with 18 solo tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2020. The sky is the limit for Mafe this year.

S: Justus Harris - Harris has been pegged as a breakout star of the year on defense. Justus Harris registered 14 solo tackles in 2020, but the Golden Gophers feel that he has untapped potential. He may be the only bright spot in one of the weakest secondaries in the Big Ten.

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2021-2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers schedule

Week 1: Thursday, September 2 vs. Ohio State Buckeyes

Week 2: Saturday, September 11 vs. Miami Redhawks

Week 3: Saturday, September 18 at Colorado Buffaloes

Week 4: Saturday, September 25 vs. Bowling Green State Falcons

Week 5: Saturday, October 2 at Purdue Boilermakers

Week 6: Saturday, October 16 vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Week 7: Saturday, October 23 vs. Maryland Terapins

Week 8: Saturday, October 30 at Northwestern Wildcats

Week 9: Saturday, November 6 vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

Week 10: Saturday, November 13 at Iowa Hawkeyes

Week 11: Saturday, November 20 at Indiana Hoosiers

Week 12: Saturday, November 27 vs. Wisconsin Badgers

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2021-2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers prediction (6-6 overall, 3-6 Big Ten)

Minnesota will have success against the lower half of the Big Ten West. The three Big Ten wins will come against Purdue, Illinois and Nebraska. The Golden Gophers should win their non-Big Ten conference games in 2021.