Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[toysoldier00]

damn what a moment for Minnesota

[ShireNiner]

8 yards per carry is insane

That's why he is going to win the Heisman.

better sell your soul to the W&T gods

already working on it. Giving up all future assets for this season.

Big time play

One that finally paid off.

damn what a moment for Minnesota

It was, but only if we can build off it from here.

[ShireNiner]

How have the new coaches fared at their new schools? Looking at the Big Ten and Big Names in college football


Lane Kiffin had early struggles but is starting to find his groove with the Longhorns (ShireNiner Nation)

By: Steven Koenig , NCAA writer
Recap on first season coaches


Coaching turnover has reshaped the 2026 college football landscape, and just over halfway through the season, the early returns are mixed across the board. Some programs have found instant momentum under new leadership, while others are learning that culture shifts take longer than a single offseason.

Lane Kiffin’s arrival at Texas was always going to be loud, and so far it’s been productive. The Longhorns sit at 7–2 and No. 12 nationally, but the résumé is about to be tested in a big way with No. 19 Alabama and No. 18 Tennessee looming. Kiffin’s offense has sparked Texas back into the national conversation; now comes the stretch that will define whether year one is a success or just a tease.

Alabama, meanwhile, is adjusting to life without Kalen DeBoer. Dabo Swinney’s 6–2 start has been solid, but nothing special yet. After DeBoer had early struggles after Nick Saban, Dabo is facing his own. Back-to-back losses early in the season to Florida and Arkansas brought questions, but since then, Alabama has been on a run, winning three of the last four games by 10+ points. The only close win was against 17th Texas A&M. Bama still faces Texas and Ole Miss before finishing the season with Auburn.

Shane Beamer has been the early headliner of the cycle. Clemson is 8–0 and ranked seventh, looking refreshed and ruthless on both sides of the ball. Beamer's side has yet to be truly tested but will face a hungry Miami and the number two-ranked Duke Blue Devils in the following weeks.

Steve Sarkisian’s move to Michigan has been nearly as smooth. The Wolverines are 7–1, dangerous offensively and improving defensively after losing key players to the draft last season. Sarkisian's biggest test is upcoming, his first taste of The Game can be the deciding game on who moves onto the Big Ten Championship game.

Jonathan Smith has quietly done strong work at Ole Miss. The Rebels are 7–2 and competitive every week, playing disciplined football that reflects Smith’s reputation as a program builder. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.

Florida State has responded well to Dave Aranda, opening 7–1 and climbing to No. 16. The Seminoles look organized and top-20 defensively. The ACC is wide open, and Florida State is right at the top.

Elsewhere, results have been mixed. Kalen DeBoer has Nebraska at 6–2 and trending up, a promising sign for a fan base desperate for consistency. Chuck Martin’s Michigan State team sits at 5–3, competitive but still searching for a signature win. Sonny Dykes at Iowa State (5–3) and Ryan Silverfield at Auburn (5–3) are hovering around respectability, not letting their programs sink after previous departures.

The middle tier includes Matt Campbell at TCU and Mike Norvell at Houston, both 4–4 and clearly in rebuilding phases. The talent is there, but execution has been uneven. Danny Collins (Missouri, 5–4) and Sonny Cumbie (Northwestern, 3–5) are fighting uphill battles in programs undergoing broader rebuilds.

At the bottom of the standings, the challenges are stark. Lance Leipold’s Wisconsin team is 3–5, struggling to find a footing in the Big Ten, while Butch Jones’ return to the Power Five at Purdue has been rough, with the Boilermakers sitting at 2–6.

The big names are still in the playoff hunt despite moving to new teams. In the new college football landscape, top coaches are showing rebuilds can happen in one simple offseason.

What did you think of this story?

Steven Koenig is a senior writer for ShireNiner Nation covering College Football. He previously covered a variety of sports and events, including World Cups and Olympics, for MSNBC Sports. He is based in Boston, MA. Follow Steven on Twitter @SteviesFake.

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[ShireNiner]

After statement win, Gophers look to avoid trap game against lowly Purdue and without their star


AJ Brand will have all eyes on him as Turner sits against Purdue (ShireNiner Network)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler
Week 9, 2026 | Purdue at Minnesota


Minnesota returns to Huntington Bank Stadium this week riding the emotional high of its biggest win of the season, a statement victory over Michigan that vaulted the Gophers to No. 9 in the national rankings. The challenge now is a familiar one for teams climbing the polls: matching urgency with expectation. Purdue arrives at 2–6, well outside the Big Ten race, but dangerous for a Minnesota team that can easily overlook them with bigger games coming.

The storyline entering the week is Minnesota’s lineup, most notably the absence of Heisman hopeful AJ Turner. Turner has been the engine of the Gophers’ offense all season, and his big play abilities have won multiple games in the fourth quarters. Without him, Minnesota will be forced to show more balance and rely on more youth. The responsibility shifts to quarterback AJ Brand, who has steadily grown into the role and now faces a moment that could define his season.

The run game will still matter, even without its star. Minnesota’s offensive line has been one of the quiet strengths of the team, and this is where depth and physical identity must show up. Against a Purdue defense that is allowing 151.3 yards per game on the ground, sophomore Fame Ijeboi will have his chance to shine filling in for Turner.

Defensively, Minnesota enters with confidence after standing up to Michigan’s attack. The front seven has been disruptive all season, leading the Big Ten in sacks with 34 and starting to add takeaways to their resume with four in the last three weeks.

For Purdue, the approach is simple. At 2–7, there’s nothing to lose. Expect the Boilermakers to take chances, push the ball downfield, and test Minnesota’s young cornerbacks. Early in the season, teams beat Minnesota with deep balls, Purdue can look to take advantage of that testing Dexter Ricks and Jon Nestor on the side who lack pace keeping up with receivers.

A game that looked boring to the naked eye is suddenly a must watch as Minnesota will be forced to figure out a one-dimensional offense without their main piece.


Key Players
AJ Brand (SO), QB, 111/179, 62%, 1,144 yds, 12 TDs, 4 INTs
AJ Turner (SR), RB, 229 att, 1,545 yds, 6.7 avg, 13 TDs
Fame Ijeboi (SO) RB, 66 att, 346 yds, 5.2 avg, 1 TD
Kenric Lanier II (JR), WR, 26 rec, 290 yds, 3 TD
Robert Herndon (FR), RT, 620 snaps, 0 sacks allowed
Aidan Gousby (SR), MIKE, 54 Tkles, 7 TFL, 1 sacks, 2 DEFL
Dexter Ricks Jr (SR), CB, 40 Tkles, 3 interceptions, 2 DEFL, 1 def TD
Emmanuel Karmo (SO), REDG, 22 Tkles, 9 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 DEFL
Mitch Horan (FR), WILL, 37 Tkles, 17 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 DEFL, 1 INT

Tayven Jackson (SR), QB, 165/291, 56%, 1,811 yds, 12 TDs, 4 INTs
Caleb Komolafe (JR), RB, 81 att, 352 yds, 4.3 avg, 7 TDs
Correy Smith (SO), WR, 40 rec, 465 yds, 2 TD
Braydn Joiner (JR), LG, 584 snaps, 0 sacks allowed
Alex Sanford JR (SR), WILL, 42 Tkles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 5 DEFL
CJ Madden (SR), LEDG, 22 Tkles, 7 TFL, 2.5 sacks
Smiley Bradford (JR), FS, 38 tkls, 2 INT

What did you think of this story?

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Aiden “AJ” Wexler is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering Minnesota Gophers Football. He previously covered local high schools in the Minneapolis area. He is based in Minneapolis, MN. Follow AJ on Twitter @AidensFake.

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[ShireNiner]

Breaking News: AJ Turner will not play in week 9


Turner benched due to "fatigue" as a precaution by Smith (ShireNiner Nation)

By: Steven Koenig , NCAA writer
Heisman frontrunner benched

The Heisman race just took an interesting turn as AJ Turner, the favorite for the last five weeks, will not play in week 9 against Purdue. "AJ is dragging, he has been running 30-35 times a game for the last six weeks and his body needs a rest. We have tried to give him breaks the last few weeks but every game has been against a top team and has been close. AJ has battled every week for us and now deserves a rest." coach Smith said in his weekly press conference. "Others will step up, I'm confident in that."

Ignoring the Minnesota result and how it can impact their playoff chances with a loss, this decision now opens up others to catch up to Turner in the Heisman race. It will also impact any record breaking chances Turner had for yards in a season or yards per carry.

"Individual records are not our focus. If we have the chance to give AJ a big game, we will. But AJ agrees, him resting and being healthy in later games is more important than trying to pad his stats right now. No disrespect to Purdue but we have big games coming up and hopefully a playoff game to follow that AJ is needed for."

What did you think of this story?

Steven Koenig is a senior writer for ShireNiner Nation covering College Football. He previously covered a variety of sports and events, including World Cups and Olympics, for MSNBC Sports. He is based in Boston, MA. Follow Steven on Twitter @SteviesFake.

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Comments

[redsox907]

trap game without Turner

Brice Colton ain't walking thru that door tho

[The JZA]

[ShireNiner]

trap game without Turner

Brice Colton ain't walking thru that door tho

making me feel stupid, I have no idea who that is. We will make it though.

man’s carried is for 9 weeks, give him a rest.

[redsox907]

making me feel stupid, I have no idea who that is. We will make it though.

Soapy's RTG privileged white boy who beats asian women *ALLEGEDLY*

[ShireNiner]

making me feel stupid, I have no idea who that is. We will make it though.

Soapy's RTG privileged white boy who beats asian women *ALLEGEDLY*

Now I feel better about myself for not knowing about that nonsense. My players hang around respectable people in respectable environments.