UW opens Big Ten play Saturday against 2-1 Minnesota, whose defense allowed just seven points in each win over Eastern Illinois and Akron and ranks 21st in pass defense. A decisive loss to No. 24 Mississippi State leaves the Gophers’ level difficult to judge.
The teams last met in 1977 and are Big Ten opponents for the first time, leaving both with limited season film. Minnesota rotates between Cover 3 and Cover 4, often keeping defensive backs off the line to limit explosive plays and force long drives. The preview lists the Gophers 27th in FBS yards allowed per game and 21st in pass defense, but cautions that three games against uneven competition are a small sample. Linebackers Maverick Baranowski and Joey Gerlach, plus defensive back Kerry Brown, lead the team in tackles; Gerlach has a sack and two forced fumbles.
The preview argues that a complementary UW rushing attack could stop Minnesota from keying on the pass, given the Huskies’ running-back health concerns and struggles to gel up front. It points to Mississippi State’s approach of spreading the defense to create open-field running chances; quarterback Kamario Taylor had 86 rushing yards at 6.6 yards per carry against Minnesota.
