Run the North | Golden Gophers football

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 26 Dec 2025, 22:51

CFB Week 12: Number one goes down again, four teams ranked for the first time

November chaos has hit again with the top two teams in the country losing to rivals and now risk missing the playoffs this late in the year. USC fell to UCLA while Clemson had the biggest upset, losing to Syracuse, which is now ranked for the first time in two years. Florida is the new number one but with Florida State next week, the streak of number one teams losing might continue.

Texas Tech is the hottest team in the country right now, a perfect 12-0, and the games have not been close. With two Heisman candidates on offense and a favorable schedule, the Red Raiders have been running through teams and now wait to find out their opponent in the conference championship game.

The team with the biggest questions in the top five has to be Minnesota. Sitting at 9-2, the record does not tell the whole story. To start the season, Minnesota had a brutal schedule, but looking back now, the opponents are only eight games over .500 overall for Minnesota, leading voters to think the schedule might not have been that hard. On the field, Minnesota has not helped its case, barely getting by unranked opponents in the last three weeks.

A win over Wisconsin will see Minnesota back in the Big Ten championship game for the second season in a row with a chance to rematch against last years winner, Ohio State if the Buckeyes take care of business in The Game.

Heisman List

Conner Weigman (SR) QB: 3,885 yds, 71%, 41 TDS, 4 INT

AJ Turner (SR) RB: 227 atts, 1,804 yds, 17 TDs

Jayden Maiava (SR) QB: 3,285 yds, 68%, 34 TDS, 3 INT

Ja'Kobi Lane (SR) WR: 118 rec, 1,263 yds, 14 TDs

Landon Roldan (SO) WR: 97 rec, 1,350 yds, 14 TDs

Post by **Captain Canada** » 26 Dec 2025, 23:04

Turner gonna fly past 2000 rushing yards at this rate. And idk, 9-2 and ranked third in the country feels wrong, but I guess its just THAT competitive this season. Anyone can get got at any time.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 26 Dec 2025, 23:39

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
26 Dec 2025, 23:04
Turner gonna fly past 2000 rushing yards at this rate. And idk, 9-2 and ranked third in the country feels wrong, but I guess its just THAT competitive this season. Anyone can get got at any time.

I agree, I do not think I'm the 3rd best team in the country but others keep losing. I know if I lose, I'm dropping out of the top ten for sure. I would not be surprised to finish the season 3rd, then lose the Big Ten Championship and miss the playoffs.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 27 Dec 2025, 10:55

Five-Star WR Connor Malik Commits to Minnesota: Top Recruit Shows Changes Coming to Minny

Connor Malik is the highest recruit ever for Minnesota (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler

MINNEAPOLIS — Mick Smith has been promising to change the culture and the national headlines in Minnesota since arriving at the Golden Gophers, and on Saturday afternoon, he secured the anchor for his future offense. Connor Malik, the consensus No. 2 overall prospect in the country and the nation's top-ranked wide receiver, has officially committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Lee's Summit (MO) product chose Minnesota over a "who's who" of college football powerhouses, marking the highest-rated commitment in the history of the program.

The Profile: Connor Malik
Hometown: Lee's Summit, MO
High School: Lee's Summit Senior
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 163 lbs
247Sports Composite Rating:

Rankings: No. 2 National | No. 1 WR | No. 1 MO

The Ultimate Technician Malik isn't your prototypical "jump-ball" physical receiver, but in the modern era of the spread offense, he is exactly what defensive coordinators fear most. Standing at 5-foot-11, Malik has been described by 247Sports national analysts as an "exclusive route runner" whose suddenness at the break is already NFL-caliber.

"He is a nightmare in space," says 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins. "While he lacks the 'bulking' frame of a traditional X-receiver, his 4.3 speed and ability to change direction without losing a single mph make him the most polished technician we've seen at the high school level in years. He’s not just fast; he’s 'football fast.'"

The Gophers' 2026 class has been slow to get going; the major focus of the recruiting has been on winning Malik and adding him to an already young and promising offensive core. In an offense that has recently lacked explosive plays of 20+ yards, especially in the air, Malik provides an immediate solution. College scouts are scratching their heads at why the number one receiver is going to a run-heavy school, but others are speculating on an offensive change coming to the Gophers next season.

"Smith is seeing that the running game does not work without a good passing game. This is the second year in a row his top back is struggling to finish a season, and against the top, top teams, Minnesota continues to lose those games. I think Smith is changing the playbook next year, Malik joining current freshman Jalen Smith will make a very good core." said one Big Ten scout who has noticed the uptick in passing attempts in recent weeks as well for the Gophers.

Malik is the first notable recruit for Minnesota, but they are still chasing multiple five-star and four-star recruits with a handful of three-star athletes ready to commit in the coming weeks.

What did you think of this story?

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 · Post by **ShireNiner** » 27 Dec 2025, 11:51

Heisman Watch: Can AJ Turner Survive the 'November Wall' and Eclipse Barry Sanders?

Despite Turner's slowdown, he is still on pace to be Minnesota's record holder (ShireNiner PS5 images)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler

MINNEAPOLIS —Six weeks ago, the conversation around AJ Turner was about more than just football; it was about math. At his Week 5 pace, the Minnesota running back wasn't just chasing the Gophers' record books; he was chasing ghosts. He was tracking toward 2,700 yards, a number so astronomical it threatened to make Barry Sanders’ 1988 season look like a footnote.

But as the calendar turns to the final week of the regular season, the "impossible" pace has met the reality of a Big Ten November. After two uncharacteristically quiet weeks where opposing defenses sold out entirely to stop the run, the historic projection has narrowed.

Yet, despite the "slump," Turner remains on the precipice of immortality.
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The Current Resume: Through 11 Games
After weathering a brutal stretch of stacked boxes and muddy Big Ten trenches, Turner’s statistical profile still looks like this:
Attempts: 227
Rushing Yards: 1,804
Touchdowns: 17
Average per Carry: 7.9
Yards Per Game: 164.0

The "New" Record Watch: Where He Stands
1. The Minnesota Gold Standard
Last season, Turner's teammate and Doak Walker winner, Darius Taylor, rushed for 1,855 yards for a new school record. Turner is 51 yards shy of that record. Turner is likely to beat Taylor's record this weekend against Wisconsin.

2. The Big Ten Immortals
The chase for Melvin Gordon’s Big Ten record (2,587 yards) has become a steep climb. To catch Gordon, Turner needs 783 more yards.
The Path: If Minnesota makes the Big Ten Championship and a deep Playoff run (totaling 5 more games), he needs to average 156.6 yards per game.

3. The Barry Sanders Cloud
The "Barry Sanders Pace" of 2,628 yards has cooled. In Week 5, Turner was averaging 212.8 yards per game. That number has dipped to 164.0. To catch Sanders in a 15-game season (Conference Title + 3 Playoff games), Turner would need to average 164.8 yards the rest of the way.

The Finale: Battle for the Axe
Everything comes down to the regular-season finale against Wisconsin. It’s poetic: to break the Big Ten's most sacred rushing records, Turner must go through the program that set them. A big rushing game and a win, Minnesota is on to the Big Ten Champion Game, and Turner has another chance to add to his legacy. A loss, and Turner's goals plus Minnesota's dreams are over.

Milestone - Yards Needed - Likelihood
2,000 Yard Club - 196 - High (Could in next two games)
Big Ten Season Record - 783 - Low (Requires deep playoff run)
NCAA Season Record - 825 - Very low (Needs a legendary post-season)

What did you think of this story?

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 · Post by **ShireNiner** » 27 Dec 2025, 12:32

Big Ten Week 13: Chaos in the North, Perfection in the West, and a Collision Course for Indy

With one week left, four teams have a chance to reacha the final in Indy (ShireNiner PS5 images) Images

By:Steven Koenig
Week 13, 2026 | Big Ten Preview

The 2025 Big Ten regular season has reached its fever pitch. With three of the top six teams in the nation residing in this conference, the stakes for Rivalry Week have never been higher. Between a Heisman-caliber running back in Minneapolis and a winner-take-all scenario in Ann Arbor, the road to Lucas Oil Stadium is officially a logjam.

Here is your primer for the most consequential Saturday of the year.

#4 USC, 10-1 (8-1) vs.

Notre Dame (6-5)

#3 Minnesota, 9-2 (7-1) vs.

Wisconsin (4-7, 3-5)

#6 Ohio State, 9-2 (6-2) vs.

Michigan (9-2, 6-2)

Game Previews
#3 Minnesota vs. Wisconsin | Battle for the Axe
Minnesota enters this game with the highest ranking in the conference and a chance to do more than just keep Paul Bunyan's Axe. All eyes are on AJ Turner, who sits at 1,804 yards. While his pace has slowed slightly, a massive outing against a struggling 4-7 Wisconsin defense could punch his ticket to New York.

A win keeps Minnesota's Big Ten Championship hopes alive. A loss likely ends their playoff bye-week dreams.

#4 USC vs. Notre Dame | The Outlier
USC is technically the "leader in the clubhouse" with an 8-1 conference record, but they step out of Big Ten play for their annual clash with the Irish. Lincoln Riley’s squad is looking to secure an 11-win season and maintain their #4 ranking.

While this doesn't affect their Big Ten record, a loss to an unranked Notre Dame team would be catastrophic for their CFP seeding.

#6 Ohio State vs. #9 Michigan | THE GAME
It is the purest scenario in sports: The winner moves on, the loser likely falls out of the conference title race. Both teams sit at 6-2 in the Big Ten. Ohio State is looking for revenge after a decade that has seen the tide turn toward Ann Arbor, while Michigan looks to play spoiler and vault itself back into the Top 5.

Winner stays alive for the #2 seed in Indy.

The Road to Indy: Championship Scenarios
With the Big Ten no longer using divisions, the top two winning percentages in conference play head to Indianapolis. Here is how the dust settles:

USC is in if... They have already finished conference play at 8-1. They are essentially guaranteed a spot unless a tiebreaker catastrophe occurs involving a one-loss Minnesota.

Minnesota is in if... They beat Wisconsin. At 8-1, they would join USC at the top of the standings.

The Ohio State/Michigan Winner is in if... Minnesota loses to Wisconsin. If Minnesota falls to 7-2, the winner of The Game (moving to 7-2) would enter a tiebreaker with the Gophers for the second spot.

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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Post by **six7** » 27 Dec 2025, 13:53

Ah man the writing in here is so good

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 27 Dec 2025, 14:17

six7 wrote: ↑
27 Dec 2025, 13:53
Ah man the writing in here is so good

Thank you, I appreciate that. Nothing like the chapter writers we have here with the creativity, but I'm tryin here.

ShireNiner · Post by **ShireNiner** » 27 Dec 2025, 14:29

Battle of the Axe and so much more: Gophers put it all on the line at Wisconsin

Last year, Minnesota dominated Wisconsin 38-13 to win the axe (ShireNiner PS5 images.)

By: Aiden “AJ” Wexler, Minnesota reporter
Nov 28, 2026 | Week 13
Time: 3:30 EST
Broadcast: Fox Sport 1

Where: Camp Randall Stadium

The most played rivalry in FBS history returns for its 136th installment with two programs headed in opposite directions. For Wisconsin, it’s a desperate attempt to play spoiler and salvage some pride in a season without a bowl game. For Minnesota, it’s simple: Win, and you’re likely headed to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship—and potentially a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

Key Matchups to Watch
AJ Turner vs. Wisconsin’s run defense. This is the "unstoppable force vs. the movable object." Turner is chasing history, and Wisconsin has been gashed recently, giving up 203 rushing yards to Iowa and 235 to Michigan State. If Wisconsin cannot close the gaps, it is going to be a long day for the Badger defense. Wisconsin is allowing 135.4 rushing yards per game, and Minnesota leads the nation with 262.0 rushing yards per game.

The "Air Raid" vs. the Gopher secondary. Wisconsin averages nearly 100 more passing yards per game than Minnesota. Kyan Berry-Johnson (81 receptions) is the engine of the Badger offense. Minnesota allows 280 passing yards a game, the third worst in the Big Ten.

Paths to Victory
How Minnesota Wins:
Run the ball and force turnovers. Minnesota cannot afford to get into a shoot-out with the Badgers' passing attack. AJ Turner and Fame Ijeboi (600 yards, 5.4 ypc) will need to keep the Badger offense off the field. On defense, Emmanuel Karmo (12.5 sacks) will need to force Danny O'Neil into mistakes (16 INTs this year).

How Wisconsin Wins:
Force the "Bad" AJ Brand: If Wisconsin can somehow stifle Turner early and force Minnesota into 3rd-and-long situations, they need to bait Brand into the kind of mistakes he made earlier this season. Brand threw an interception in his first three starts, then went four games without (all wins,) but has thrown interceptions in the last two games that Minnesota barely won. If Wisconsin can make this a game of throwing, they will have the best chance to win.

Win the Red Zone: Wisconsin is the second-best team in the Big Ten with scoring touchdowns in the Red Zone (71%), while Minnesota is dead last at (44%). If Wisconsin can force field goals over touchdowns, they will have a good chance to stay in the game.

Team Leaders
Passing

AJ Brand, QB, 178/293, 60%, 1,810 yds, 14 TDs, 7 INT

Danny O’Neil, QB, 256/443, 57%, 3,017 yds, 20 TDs, 16 INT

Rushing

AJ Turner, RB, 277 att, 1,804 yds, 6.5 avg, 17 TDs

Cade Yacamelli, RB, 115 att, 535 yds, 4.7 avg, 7 TDs

Receiving

Kenric Lanier II, WR, 42 rec, 486 yds, 4 TD

Kyan Berry-Johnson, WR, 81 rec, 835 yds, 3 TD

Tackles

Aidan Gousby, MIKE, 80 Tkls, 14 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 3 INTs

Tackett Curtis, MIKE, 84 Tkls, 4 TFL, 1 sack

Sacks

Emmanuel Karmo, REDG 33 Tkls, 18 TFL, 12.5 sacks

Will McDonald, LEDG, 29 Tkls, 8 TFL, 5 sacks

Interceptions

Dexter Ricks Jr, CB, 53 Tkls, 2 TFL, 4 INTs, 1 Def TD

Jonas Duclona, CB, 61 Tkls, 1 TFL, 3 INT

What did you think of this story?

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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Post by **James** » 27 Dec 2025, 17:01

Just after playing my game against Minnesota AJ Turner is a good back. Glad to see that you are eating with him.

Need the win here.

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