Minnesota

2026 season

Big Ten

2026 preseason report

Historical preseason snapshot from 2026-07-29, including roster context and illustrative season projections. This is not a live injury feed.

What every system says

Minnesota's rank in each system (1 = best). Middle rank 68.5 across 8 systems; best 56, worst 83, so they disagree by 27 places.

Lab EPA: #83; Through week 92026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Through week 9. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings take separate places, ordered by team name.
Lab SRS: #58; up 152026 · 138 FBS roster teams, including prior-only teams · Through week 9 · built 2026-11-06T12:26:24.430328+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings take separate places, ordered by team name.
SP+: #57; no change2026 · 138 published SP+ teams · Provider week 10 · captured 2026-11-02T14:10:13.208713+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Published provider ranks; tie handling is not documented in this snapshot.
Elo: #79; up 32026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Through week 9 · captured 2026-11-06T12:01:15.459089+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings share the best tied rank; the next rank skips places.
FPI: #58; up 72026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Event cutoff not supplied · captured 2026-11-06T12:01:15.459089+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings share the best tied rank; the next rank skips places.
CORE: #81; up 2 · Through week 9 · captured 2026-11-06T12:01:15.459089+00:002026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Through week 9 · captured 2026-11-06T12:01:15.459089+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings share the best tied rank; the next rank skips places.
CFBD SRS: #56; up 92026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Event cutoff not supplied · captured 2026-11-06T12:01:15.459089+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings share the best tied rank; the next rank skips places.
WEPA: #83; up 62026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Event cutoff not supplied · captured 2026-11-06T12:01:15.459089+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings share the best tied rank; the next rank skips places.

Compare every team

FPI context

ESPN FPI via CFBD · 2026

Résumé and schedule

Results earned and schedule difficulty

Strength of record: #35 of 138
Schedule strength: #32 of 138
Remaining schedule strength: #29 of 138
Game control: #40 of 138

Unit efficiency

Performance by unit

Overall: #46 of 138
Offense: #106 of 138
Defense: #31 of 138
Special teams: #1 of 138

Ranks calculated among rated FBS teams; ties share rank. #1 means strongest résumé, hardest schedule, best game control or highest efficiency. These are separate measures, not a combined forecast. Captured Nov 6, 2026, 06:01:15 CST. FPI supplies no results-through week; capture time records when we received it.

Why the ratings disagree

Minnesota · 2026. Each system answers a different question. The cards show each source's rank (published or computed here) and coverage, so a rank gap can also reflect which teams have data.

Record

5-3 wins–losses

No rank assigned

Results earned. Wins and losses do not account for opponent strength or victory margin.

2026, provider Week 10; captured 2026-11-02T14:10:13.208713+00:00

SP+ workbook record

Descriptive EPA

-0.038 net EPA/play

#83

2026 · 138 rated FBS teams · Through week 9. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings take separate places, ordered by team name.

Observed per-play efficiency after opponent adjustment. FBS-vs-FBS plays; no preseason strength prior. Sparse schedules can produce sharp early movement.

2026, through CFBD Week 9; opponent adjusted ridge

Lab EPA from CFBD plays

Local predictive SRS

2.17 points

#58 · Up 15 places since the previous CFBD cutoff

2026 · 138 FBS roster teams, including prior-only teams · Through week 9 · built 2026-11-06T12:26:24.430328+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings take separate places, ordered by team name.

This season's 8 games, with recent games counting a bit more: average margin +2.15 (with blowouts capped at 35 points and overtime games counted as a 1-point result, then 2.5 points of home field removed) against opponents averaging +0.75, schedule #38 of 138 (#1 = toughest); 1 FCS opponent counts at −25; FBS opponents alone average +3.86. That is worth +2.90 on its own; the preseason prior of -0.32 still carries 23% of the weight, giving +2.17.

How each game enters this SRS rating

Minnesota · 2026, through CFBD Week 9. Margins are team minus opponent. The fit caps margins and treats overtime as a one-point result before adjusting for venue. Recent games carry more weight; the fit share includes the preseason prior in its denominator.

Game	Raw margin → transformed	Venue adjustment	Recency weight	Fit share	Opponent rating	Margin term	Opponent term	Total term
Week 1 · Eastern Illinois home · 2026-09-04 · ID 401858422	+52.00 → +35.00	-2.50	0.7349	8.32%	-25.00 (fixed lower division)	2.706	-2.081	0.624
Week 2 · Mississippi State home · 2026-09-12 · ID 401856677	-25.00 → -25.00	-2.50	0.7637	8.65%	+2.03	-2.379	0.175	-2.204
Week 3 · Akron home · 2026-09-19 · ID 401858451	+34.00 → +34.00	-2.50	0.7937	8.99%	-16.37	2.832	-1.472	1.360
Week 4 · Washington away · 2026-09-27 · ID 401858470	+3.00 → +3.00	+2.50	0.8249	9.34%	+4.99	0.514	0.466	0.980
Week 5 · Michigan home · 2026-10-03 · ID 401858474	+6.00 → +6.00	-2.50	0.8572	9.71%	+5.88	0.340	0.571	0.911
Week 6 · Purdue away · 2026-10-11 · ID 401858486	-28.00 → -28.00	+2.50	0.8909	10.09%	+1.01	-2.574	0.102	-2.472
Week 8 · Iowa home · 2026-10-24 · ID 401858497	+3.00 → +3.00	-2.50	0.9622	10.90%	+10.46	0.055	1.140	1.195
Week 9 · Indiana away · 2026-10-31 · ID 401858501	-7.00 → -1.00 (OT)	+2.50	1.0000	11.33%	+14.82	0.170	1.679	1.849

Game terms +2.24 points; prior term -0.07 points. Their unrounded sum is the fitted rating +2.17 points. The preseason prior is -0.32 with 22.66% of the fit weight. Displayed values are rounded; the producer checks the unrounded identity within 0.00000001 points.

These are additive terms of the current fit, not the effect of removing a game. Opponent ratings already reflect the connected schedule. Lower-division opponents use the fixed anchor, not an individually fitted rating. The rating's model-based 95% band is ±8.8 points; this decomposition does not reduce uncertainty or assign causal effects.

Download fitted terms and source hashes

Estimated strength from schedule-adjusted scoring margins, margin caps, home-field adjustment and recency weighting. Half of prior-season strength, including postseason, carries forward with two games of weight. SRS includes FCS opponents under a fixed strength assumption. 8 current games; prior available.

2026, through CFBD Week 9; generated 2026-11-06T12:26:24.430328+00:00

Lab SRS from CFBD scores

External SP+

3.2 SP+ points

#57 · Rank unchanged

2026 · 138 published SP+ teams · Provider week 10 · captured 2026-11-02T14:10:13.208713+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Published provider ranks; tie handling is not documented in this snapshot.

Bill Connelly's published predictive strength estimate. Its method and scale differ from local SRS.

2026, provider Week 10; captured 2026-11-02T14:10:13.208713+00:00

Bill Connelly SP+ workbook

External CORE

-3.29 net points per 100 offensive + 100 defensive plays

#81 of 138 by overall (ranked here; CORE publishes no rank)

2026 · 138 rated FBS teams in this CORE board · 2026, through regular Week 9; model core-v1; captured 2026-11-06T12:03:20.826325+00:00. Rank 1 is best; lower rank numbers are better. Higher rating values are better. Equal ratings share the best tied rank; the next rank skips places.

CFBD's context- and opponent-relative efficiency. Offense is higher-better; defense is points allowed above average, so lower is better; overall is offense minus defense. It counts only pass and rush plays from FBS-vs-FBS games, with no special teams, overtime or garbage time; early-week values are pulled toward average but are still uncertain, and it is not a résumé ranking. Its scale is not comparable to EPA, SRS or SP+. Offense -8.92 on 388 plays; defense -5.63 on 398 plays.

2026, through regular Week 9; model core-v1; captured 2026-11-06T12:03:20.826325+00:00

CFBD CORE rating CORE board: offense vs defense

EPA ranks Minnesota 25 places lower than local SRS at the matched cutoff. This identifies a disagreement; it does not isolate its cause. SP+ movement compares provider weeks 9 and 10. Provider weeks may differ from CFBD weeks, so no cross-provider rank gap is calculated. CORE reports its own inclusive cutoff and is shown beside these systems for comparison only; it is an external research rating and is never blended into the lab's opponent-adjusted EPA, local SRS or any pick.

Team ratings and rank gaps are not matchup spreads or win probabilities. Matchup context and a calibrated forecast mapping are required. Do not average EPA, SRS, SP+ and CORE values across their different scales.

Read local SRS assumptions and forecast evidence

Program context

2026 · CFBD records, polls, recruiting, coaches

Record: 5-3 · conf 3-2 · home 4-1 · away 1-2 · expected wins 4.8
Polls (Week 10): unranked
CFP latest: unranked · 2026 regular Week 10 · captured 2026-11-06
CFP final: not published
Against the spread: 2026: 6-2 ATS (+1.9 avg) · 2025: 5-8 ATS (-0.7 avg)
Head coach: P.J. Fleck · hired 2017-01-06 · 22-17 over 4 captured seasons
Recruiting classes: 2024 #37 (212 pts) · 2025 #49 (201 pts) · 2026 #28 (227 pts)
Returning: 65% of production · 68% of usage
Passing, receiving and rushing detail
Category Production Usage
Passing 97% 99%
Receiving 45% 43%
Rushing 1000% 56%
Shares of prior-season PPA and usage returning in each category. Missing values are unavailable.

Category	Production	Usage
Passing	97%	99%
Receiving	45%	43%
Rushing	1000%	56%

Provider values from CFBD captures dated 2026-09-22, 2026-11-06. head coach for the season; tenure counts cover only the captured seasons, hire date is the provider's. Returning usage carries no signal beyond returning production in this repo's research; neither is a model input.

Recruiting by position group

2023–2026 classes · High school · CFBD · captured 2026-11-06 UTC

Position group	Commits	Avg. stars	Avg. rating	Total rating
Defensive Back	18	2.83	0.8498	15.30
Defensive Line	17	3.18	0.8719	14.82
Linebacker	9	3.11	0.8667	7.80
Offensive Line	16	3.19	0.8737	13.98
Quarterback	7	2.86	0.8399	5.88
Receiver	16	3.06	0.8696	13.91
Running Back	9	3.22	0.8722	7.85
Special Teams	11	3.00	0.8384	9.22

Recruiting class aggregates, not current roster strength. Commits count recruits across the window; total rating also reflects class size. JUCO, prep-school and transfer ratings are excluded. These values do not enter the prediction model.

Player efficiency and usage

2026 · observed 2026-11-06 UTC

Passing and rushing WEPA adjust efficiency for opponents. Kicker PAAR measures points added above replacement. Higher is better within each metric. Metric rows are ordered by sample size, followed by usage-only players. Usage is the share of team plays involving the player within each category; categories overlap and should not be added. CFBD definitions

Player / history	Metric	Value	Plays / attempts	Overall usage	Usage detail	Recruiting
Drake Lindsey · QB CFBD athlete 5144959. Minnesota (2024–2026)	Passing WEPA	0.188	245	54.9%	Pass 95.9% · Rush 7.2% 1st 52.5% · 2nd 46.6% · 3rd 71.1% Standard downs 48.5% · Passing downs 68.3%	2024: 3★ · 0.8717
Darius Taylor · RB CFBD athlete 4920901. Minnesota (2023–2026)	Rushing WEPA	0.070	69	25.6%	Pass 13.3% · Rush 42.9% 1st 26.6% · 2nd 27.6% · 3rd 20.0% Standard downs 27.6% · Passing downs 21.5%	2023: 4★ · 0.8981
TJ Thomas Jr. · RB CFBD athlete 5224792. Minnesota (2026–2026); Elon (2024–2025)	Rushing WEPA	0.167	57	18.0%	Pass 10.0% · Rush 29.0% 1st 18.7% · 2nd 22.1% · 3rd 11.4% Standard downs 19.3% · Passing downs 15.2%	Not linked
Luke Drzewiecki · PK CFBD athlete 5082358. Minnesota (2026–2026); New Mexico (2022–2025)	Kicker PAAR	14.480	15	—	Pass — · Rush — 1st — · 2nd — · 3rd — Standard downs — · Passing downs —	Not linked
Daniel Jackson · PK CFBD athlete 5255256. Minnesota (2025–2026)	Kicker PAAR	0.410	1	—	Pass — · Rush — 1st — · 2nd — · 3rd — Standard downs — · Passing downs —	2025: 3★ · 0.8058
A.J. Turner · RB CFBD athlete 5082548. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	9.3%	Pass 2.5% · Rush 22.2% 1st 8.6% · 2nd 12.5% · 3rd 7.4% Standard downs 11.8% · Passing downs 2.8%	Not linked
Bradley Martino · WR CFBD athlete 5204395. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.4%	Pass 3.1% · Rush 0.0% 1st 0.0% · 2nd 4.2% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 1.7% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked
Brady Palmer · QB CFBD athlete 5214645. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	11.0%	Pass 18.8% · Rush 5.1% 1st 9.1% · 2nd 12.5% · 3rd 13.3% Standard downs 10.2% · Passing downs 14.3%	Not linked
George Rohl · TE CFBD athlete 5311304. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.4%	Pass 3.1% · Rush 0.0% 1st 3.0% · 2nd 0.0% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 1.7% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked
Hayden Moore · WR CFBD athlete 5271219. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	2.9%	Pass 4.9% · Rush 0.0% 1st 3.3% · 2nd 0.0% · 3rd 7.1% Standard downs 2.9% · Passing downs 2.9%	Not linked
Jacob Simpson · TE CFBD athlete 5146754. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.4%	Pass 3.1% · Rush 0.0% 1st 0.0% · 2nd 4.2% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 1.7% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked
Jalen Smith · WR CFBD athlete 5144962. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	8.0%	Pass 14.2% · Rush 0.0% 1st 6.8% · 2nd 6.3% · 3rd 13.1% Standard downs 5.4% · Passing downs 13.0%	Not linked
Jaron Thomas · RB CFBD athlete 5214937. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.4%	Pass 0.0% · Rush 2.6% 1st 0.0% · 2nd 4.2% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 0.0% · Passing downs 7.1%	Not linked
Javon Tracy · WR CFBD athlete 4831976. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	12.8%	Pass 22.9% · Rush 1.4% 1st 10.5% · 2nd 13.5% · 3rd 15.8% Standard downs 11.7% · Passing downs 15.2%	Not linked
Julian Johnson · TE CFBD athlete 5144785. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.6%	Pass 2.7% · Rush 0.0% 1st 3.6% · 2nd 0.0% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 2.4% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked
Kaden Helms · TE CFBD athlete 4873418. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	2.4%	Pass 3.4% · Rush 0.0% 1st 2.0% · 2nd 0.0% · 3rd 6.9% Standard downs 1.3% · Passing downs 4.1%	Not linked
Max Shikenjanski · QB CFBD athlete 5150680. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	5.5%	Pass 9.4% · Rush 2.6% 1st 6.1% · 2nd 4.2% · 3rd 6.7% Standard downs 5.1% · Passing downs 7.1%	Not linked
Niko Castillo · RB CFBD athlete 5327140. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	5.5%	Pass 0.0% · Rush 10.3% 1st 6.1% · 2nd 4.2% · 3rd 6.7% Standard downs 6.8% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked
Noah Jennings · WR CFBD athlete 5164749. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	12.3%	Pass 22.1% · Rush 0.9% 1st 13.2% · 2nd 9.2% · 3rd 14.9% Standard downs 10.8% · Passing downs 15.2%	Not linked
Pierce Walsh · TE CFBD athlete 5044424. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	3.4%	Pass 6.5% · Rush 0.0% 1st 5.6% · 2nd 3.0% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 4.0% · Passing downs 1.9%	Not linked
Quayd Hendryx · WR CFBD athlete 5369947. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.5%	Pass 3.3% · Rush 0.0% 1st 1.6% · 2nd 2.3% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 2.0% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked
Roman Voss · TE CFBD athlete 5244731. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	3.6%	Pass 6.7% · Rush 0.0% 1st 6.2% · 2nd 1.0% · 3rd 2.8% Standard downs 4.2% · Passing downs 2.7%	Not linked
Ryan Estrada · RB CFBD athlete 5244756. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	6.8%	Pass 6.3% · Rush 7.7% 1st 3.0% · 2nd 12.5% · 3rd 6.7% Standard downs 3.4% · Passing downs 21.4%	Not linked
Xavier Ford · RB CFBD athlete 5264245. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	6.8%	Pass 0.9% · Rush 13.9% 1st 6.6% · 2nd 8.8% · 3rd 4.0% Standard downs 7.4% · Passing downs 5.6%	Not linked
Zion Steptoe · WR CFBD athlete 4833073. Team attribution from the captured season usage record.	Not available	—	—	1.4%	Pass 3.1% · Rush 0.0% 1st 3.0% · 2nd 0.0% · 3rd 0.0% Standard downs 1.7% · Passing downs 0.0%	Not linked

Transfers

Incoming · 19 reported

Player	From	Date	Stars / rating	Eligibility
Andrew Marshall · LB	Eastern Michigan	2026-01-05	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Aydan West · CB	Michigan State	2026-01-06	3★ / 0.8700	Immediate
Beckham Sunderland · K	Michigan	2026-01-06	— / —	Immediate
Bennett Warren · OT	Tennessee	2026-01-04	3★ / 0.8700	Immediate
Elisha West · CB	Michigan State	2026-01-06	3★ / 0.8300	Immediate
Jaron Thomas · RB	Purdue	2026-01-03	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Kaden Helms · TE	Oklahoma	2026-01-07	3★ / 0.8600	Immediate
Mekhai Smith · S	Lehigh	2026-01-06	3★ / 0.8600	Immediate
Michael Merdinger · QB	Liberty	2026-01-02	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Naquan Crowder · DL	Marshall	2026-01-05	3★ / 0.8600	Immediate
Noah Jennings · WR	Cincinnati	2026-01-10	3★ / 0.8700	Immediate
Parker Knutson · CB	Southwest Minnesota State	2026-01-06	3★ / 0.8600	Immediate
Perry Thompson · WR	Auburn	2026-01-06	4★ / 0.9000	Immediate
Sid Kaba · DL	Marshall	2026-01-12	3★ / 0.8900	Immediate
TJ Bush Jr. · EDGE	California	2026-01-07	3★ / 0.8700	Immediate
TJ Thomas Jr. · RB	Elon	2026-01-11	3★ / 0.8600	Immediate
Xion Chapman · DL	Florida International	2026-01-10	4★ / 0.9200	Immediate
Zachary Robbins · P	Utah State	2026-01-07	— / —	Immediate
Zion Steptoe · WR	Tulsa	2026-01-10	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate

Outgoing · 20 reported

Player	To	Date	Stars / rating	Eligibility
Brody Richter · P	New Mexico State	2026-01-20	3★ / 0.8300	Immediate
Caleb McGrath · P	North Dakota State	2026-01-11	2★ / —	Immediate
Cristian Driver · WR	Not reported	2025-12-05	4★ / —	Immediate
David Kemp · K	Kennesaw State	2026-01-27	2★ / —	Immediate
Drew Wilson · LB	Lafayette	2026-01-19	— / —	Immediate
Ethan Carrier · S	South Dakota	2026-01-09	— / —	Immediate
Fame Ijeboi · RB	Purdue	2026-01-09	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Harrison Brun · S	South Dakota	2026-01-14	2★ / —	Immediate
Jackson Kollock · QB	UC Davis	2026-01-21	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Jaylen Bowden · CB	East Carolina	2026-01-08	— / —	Immediate
Kahlee Tafai · OT	California	2026-01-14	3★ / 0.8700	Immediate
Kenric Lanier II · WR	Missouri	2026-01-16	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Koi Perich · S	Oregon	2026-01-13	4★ / 0.9500	Immediate
Legend Lyons · WR	Montana	2026-01-13	3★ / —	Immediate
Malachi Coleman · WR	Wisconsin	2026-01-12	3★ / 0.8600	Immediate
Quentin Redding · WR	Not reported	2025-12-03	— / —	Immediate
Reese Tripp · IOL	Middle Tennessee	2026-01-14	3★ / 0.8500	Immediate
Steven Curtis · DL	North Texas	2026-01-12	3★ / —	Immediate
Tre Berry · RB	Tennessee State	2026-01-11	3★ / —	Immediate
Za'Quan Bryan · CB	South Florida	2026-01-08	3★ / 0.8700	Immediate

Transfer observations can include unresolved destinations. CFBD supplies no timezone for transfer dates and no athlete ID linking these records to the efficiency table. These observations do not establish current roster membership or game availability.

Descriptive context only; no player or transfer value enters the prediction model. Adjusted metrics require unambiguous season/team history. Usage-only rows use the captured athlete ID and team; conflicting usage identities are omitted. Missing values are unavailable, not zero. Provider coverage is incomplete.

Coaching eras

Continuous appointments at Minnesota. Records are CFBD-attributed results; active tenures and the current season may be incomplete.

P.J. Fleck · career 96–66 across 14 seasons and 2 schools

Tenure timeline · 27 appointments

2017–present · P.J. Fleck · active at capture
66–44 · 110 attributed games · 10 seasons
Hired 2017-01-06. Exact effective dates unavailable.
2015–2016 · Tracy Claeys
11–8 · 19 attributed games · 2 seasons · incomplete attribution
Hired 2015-11-11. Exact effective dates unavailable.
2011–2015 · Jerry Kill
29–29 · 58 attributed games · 5 seasons · incomplete attribution
Hired 2010-12-06. Exact effective dates unavailable.
2010–2010 · Jeff Horton
2–3 · 5 attributed games · 1 seasons · incomplete attribution
Hired 2010-10-17. Exact effective dates unavailable.
2007–2010 · Tim Brewster
15–30 · 45 attributed games · 4 seasons · incomplete attribution
Hired 2007-01-15. Exact effective dates unavailable.
1997–2006 · Glen Mason
64–57 · 121 attributed games · 10 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1992–1996 · Jim Wacker
16–39 · 55 attributed games · 5 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1986–1991 · John Gutekunst
28–37–2 · 67 attributed games · 6 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1984–1985 · Lou Holtz
10–12 · 22 attributed games · 2 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1979–1983 · Joe Salem
19–35–1 · 55 attributed games · 5 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1972–1978 · Cal Stoll
39–39 · 78 attributed games · 7 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1954–1971 · Murray Warmath
87–78–7 · 172 attributed games · 18 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1951–1953 · Wesley Fesler
10–13–4 · 27 attributed games · 3 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1945–1950 · Bernie Bierman
30–23–1 · 54 attributed games · 6 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1942–1944 · George Hauser
15–11–1 · 27 attributed games · 3 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1932–1941 · Bernie Bierman
63–12–5 · 80 attributed games · 10 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1930–1931 · Fritz Crisler
10–7–1 · 18 attributed games · 2 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1925–1929 · Clarence Spears
28–9–3 · 40 attributed games · 5 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1922–1924 · William Spaulding
11–7–4 · 22 attributed games · 3 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1900–1921 · Henry Williams
136–33–11 · 180 attributed games · 22 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1899–1899 · William Leary
6–3–2 · 11 attributed games · 1 seasons · incomplete attribution
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1899–1899 · John Harrison
6–3–2 · 11 attributed games · 1 seasons · incomplete attribution
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1898–1898 · Jack Minds
4–5 · 9 attributed games · 1 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1896–1897 · Alexander Jerrems
12–6 · 18 attributed games · 2 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1895–1895 · Pudge Heffelfinger
7–3 · 10 attributed games · 1 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1894–1894 · Tom Cochrane
3–1 · 4 attributed games · 1 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.
1893–1893 · Wallie Winter
6–0 · 6 attributed games · 1 seasons
Exact effective dates unavailable.

Season résumé · 2015–2026

Coach-attributed records appear beside team-season ratings, recruiting and poll context. Shared seasons appear once per coach; rows are not assigned to individual stints. Ratings describe team performance, not a causal coaching effect.

Season / coach	Record	Conference	Postseason	SP+	SRS	Recruiting rank	Final poll
2026 · P.J. Fleck · incomplete attribution	0–0	—	—	3.1	0.8	28	—
2025 · P.J. Fleck	8–5	5–4	1–0	1.5	0.7	49	—
2024 · P.J. Fleck	8–5	5–4	1–0	10.4	12.6	37	—
2023 · P.J. Fleck	6–7	3–6	1–0	0.4	-2.3	45	—
2022 · P.J. Fleck	9–4	5–4	1–0	16	10.7	49	—
2021 · P.J. Fleck	9–4	6–3	1–0	14.4	6.8	37	—
2020 · P.J. Fleck	3–4	3–4	0–0	4.7	0.1	38	—
2019 · P.J. Fleck	11–2	7–2	1–0	19.4	15.2	45	10
2018 · P.J. Fleck	7–6	3–6	1–0	6.3	5.5	38	—
2017 · P.J. Fleck	5–7	2–7	0–0	0.4	2.8	59	—
2016 · Tracy Claeys	9–4	5–4	1–0	12.6	9	46	—
2015 · Jerry Kill · incomplete attribution	4–3	—	—	8.1	0.2	63	—
2015 · Tracy Claeys · incomplete attribution	2–4	—	—	8.1	0.2	63	—

Download coaching history JSON

Source: CFBD · captured 2026-10-26T02:02:59.394463+00:00 UTC. Season résumé covers 2015–2026; timeline spans all returned tenures. — means unavailable. Career summaries cover active coaches at capture. This snapshot is descriptive and is not a pregame cutoff.

CFBD season overview

2026 stored season snapshot, including postseason and garbage time. Raw CFBD PPA is not opponent-adjusted EPA or player WEPA. No week cutoff; these values do not enter our forecasts.

Captured 2026-11-02 13:51:41.272114 UTC · Source data

Stat rankings

CFBD FBS ranks · source updated 2026-11-01 14:10:29 UTC · calculated 2026-11-02 13:47:25 UTC · provider cache expiry 2026-11-02 13:57:25 UTC. Rank 1 is best; percentiles use CFBD’s 0–100 scale.

Statistic	Offense rank / population	Percentile	Defense rank / population	Percentile
PPA / play	115 / 138	16.8	37 / 138	73.7
Success rate	119 / 138	13.9	40 / 138	71.5
Explosiveness	116 / 138	16.1	58 / 138	58.4
Standard-down success	81 / 138	41.6	33 / 138	76.6
Passing-down success	138 / 138	0.0	54 / 138	61.3
Pass PPA	93 / 138	32.8	48 / 138	65.7
Rush PPA	131 / 138	5.1	72 / 138	48.2
Pass explosiveness	108 / 138	21.9	73 / 138	47.4
Rush explosiveness	131 / 138	5.1	73 / 138	47.4
Line yards	137 / 138	0.7	80 / 138	42.3
Second-level yards	138 / 138	0.0	93 / 138	32.8
Open-field yards	86 / 138	38.0	31 / 138	78.1
Stuff rate	134 / 138	2.9	24 / 138	83.2
Power success	129 / 138	6.6	34 / 138	75.9
Havoc	T101 / 138	26.3	8 / 138	94.9
Front-seven havoc	T122 / 138	11.3	T11 / 138	92.3
DB havoc	T45 / 138	67.2	T22 / 138	83.9
Points / opportunity	123 / 138	10.9	86 / 138	38.0
Average field position	T5 / 138	96.7	T19 / 138	86.5
Field-position expected points	6 / 138	96.4	23 / 138	83.9

Player PPA and usage

Ordered by overall usage. Open a player for pass, rush, down and situation splits. Usage is the provider’s share of team plays in each situation; PPA is the provider’s average or total for that player. Missing values stay blank (—); play counts are not supplied here. Standard downs are 1st down, 2nd-and-7 or shorter, and 3rd/4th-and-4 or shorter; other situations are passing downs.

Drake Lindsey · QBUsage 54.9% · Avg PPA 0.092 · Total 25.590

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.092	25.590	54.9%
Pass	0.138	35.928	95.9%
Rush	-0.274	-4.385	7.2%
1st down	-0.025	-2.867	52.5%
2nd down	-0.021	-1.588	46.6%
3rd down	0.346	28.020	71.1%
Standard downs	0.030	4.939	48.5%
Passing downs	0.184	20.651	68.3%

Darius Taylor · RBUsage 25.6% · Avg PPA -0.080 · Total -9.007

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	-0.080	-9.007	25.6%
Pass	0.127	4.056	13.3%
Rush	-0.161	-13.063	42.9%
1st down	-0.209	-10.431	26.6%
2nd down	-0.045	-1.806	27.6%
3rd down	0.136	2.725	20.0%
Standard downs	-0.132	-10.696	27.6%
Passing downs	0.053	1.688	21.5%

TJ Thomas Jr. · RBUsage 18.0% · Avg PPA -0.047 · Total -4.304

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	-0.047	-4.304	18.0%
Pass	-0.103	-2.784	10.0%
Rush	-0.024	-1.520	29.0%
1st down	0.053	2.176	18.7%
2nd down	-0.217	-7.803	22.1%
3rd down	-0.067	-0.868	11.4%
Standard downs	0.016	1.084	19.3%
Passing downs	-0.216	-5.388	15.2%

Javon Tracy · WRUsage 12.8% · Avg PPA 0.383 · Total 24.910

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.383	24.910	12.8%
Pass	0.396	24.551	22.9%
Rush	0.120	0.359	1.4%
1st down	0.389	8.941	10.5%
2nd down	-0.233	-5.137	13.5%
3rd down	1.309	23.559	15.8%
Standard downs	0.169	6.770	11.7%
Passing downs	0.726	18.140	15.2%

Noah Jennings · WRUsage 12.3% · Avg PPA 0.260 · Total 16.103

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.260	16.103	12.3%
Pass	0.251	15.033	22.1%
Rush	0.535	1.069	0.9%
1st down	0.419	12.137	13.2%
2nd down	0.015	0.227	9.2%
3rd down	0.045	0.761	14.9%
Standard downs	0.410	15.157	10.8%
Passing downs	0.038	0.945	15.2%

Brady Palmer · QBUsage 11.0% · Avg PPA 0.155 · Total 1.239

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.155	1.239	11.0%
Pass	0.266	1.593	18.8%
Rush	-0.177	-0.354	5.1%
1st down	0.052	0.156	9.1%
2nd down	0.822	2.466	12.5%
3rd down	-0.692	-1.383	13.3%
Standard downs	0.295	1.767	10.2%
Passing downs	-0.264	-0.529	14.3%

A.J. Turner · RBUsage 9.3% · Avg PPA 0.043 · Total 0.522

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.043	0.522	9.3%
Pass	-0.507	-1.014	2.5%
Rush	0.154	1.536	22.2%
1st down	0.304	1.522	8.6%
2nd down	-0.217	-1.087	12.5%
3rd down	0.043	0.087	7.4%
Standard downs	0.105	1.153	11.8%
Passing downs	-0.631	-0.631	2.8%

Jalen Smith · WRUsage 8.0% · Avg PPA 0.445 · Total 15.573

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.445	15.573	8.0%
Pass	0.445	15.573	14.2%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	0.428	5.563	6.8%
2nd down	0.431	3.879	6.3%
3rd down	0.472	6.132	13.1%
Standard downs	0.472	7.559	5.4%
Passing downs	0.422	8.014	13.0%

Ryan Estrada · RBUsage 6.8% · Avg PPA 0.106 · Total 0.532

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.106	0.532	6.8%
Pass	0.091	0.182	6.3%
Rush	0.117	0.350	7.7%
1st down	-0.245	-0.245	3.0%
2nd down	-0.416	-1.248	12.5%
3rd down	2.026	2.026	6.7%
Standard downs	-0.838	-1.675	3.4%
Passing downs	0.736	2.208	21.4%

Xavier Ford · RBUsage 6.8% · Avg PPA 0.037 · Total 1.150

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.037	1.150	6.8%
Pass	-0.986	-1.971	0.9%
Rush	0.108	3.121	13.9%
1st down	0.015	0.193	6.6%
2nd down	0.045	0.584	8.8%
3rd down	-0.603	-2.414	4.0%
Standard downs	0.104	2.389	7.4%
Passing downs	-0.155	-1.239	5.6%

Max Shikenjanski · QBUsage 5.5% · Avg PPA 1.174 · Total 4.696

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	1.174	4.696	5.5%
Pass	0.717	2.152	9.4%
Rush	2.545	2.545	2.6%
1st down	0.862	1.724	6.1%
2nd down	0.428	0.428	4.2%
3rd down	2.545	2.545	6.7%
Standard downs	1.423	4.269	5.1%
Passing downs	0.428	0.428	7.1%

Niko Castillo · RBUsage 5.5% · Avg PPA -0.446 · Total -1.784

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	-0.446	-1.784	5.5%
Pass	—	0.000	0.0%
Rush	-0.446	-1.784	10.3%
1st down	-0.817	-1.634	6.1%
2nd down	-0.386	-0.386	4.2%
3rd down	0.236	0.236	6.7%
Standard downs	-0.446	-1.784	6.8%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

Roman Voss · TEUsage 3.6% · Avg PPA 0.783 · Total 8.615

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.783	8.615	3.6%
Pass	0.783	8.615	6.7%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	0.636	5.089	6.2%
2nd down	-0.151	-0.151	1.0%
3rd down	1.838	3.677	2.8%
Standard downs	0.636	5.089	4.2%
Passing downs	1.175	3.526	2.7%

Pierce Walsh · TEUsage 3.4% · Avg PPA 0.239 · Total 1.676

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.239	1.676	3.4%
Pass	0.239	1.676	6.5%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	-0.007	-0.033	5.6%
2nd down	0.855	1.709	3.0%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	0.311	1.867	4.0%
Passing downs	-0.191	-0.191	1.9%

Hayden Moore · WRUsage 2.9% · Avg PPA 0.553 · Total 2.212

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.553	2.212	2.9%
Pass	0.553	2.212	4.9%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	1.003	2.005	3.3%
2nd down	—	0.000	0.0%
3rd down	0.103	0.207	7.1%
Standard downs	0.558	1.673	2.9%
Passing downs	0.539	0.539	2.9%

Kaden Helms · TEUsage 2.4% · Avg PPA -0.101 · Total -0.304

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	-0.101	-0.304	2.4%
Pass	-0.101	-0.304	3.4%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	0.318	0.318	2.0%
2nd down	—	0.000	0.0%
3rd down	-0.311	-0.623	6.9%
Standard downs	0.318	0.318	1.3%
Passing downs	-0.311	-0.623	4.1%

Julian Johnson · TEUsage 1.6% · Avg PPA -0.517 · Total -2.070

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	-0.517	-2.070	1.6%
Pass	-0.517	-2.070	2.7%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	-0.517	-2.070	3.6%
2nd down	—	0.000	0.0%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	-0.517	-2.070	2.4%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

Quayd Hendryx · WRUsage 1.5% · Avg PPA 1.692 · Total 3.384

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	1.692	3.384	1.5%
Pass	1.692	3.384	3.3%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	2.558	2.558	1.6%
2nd down	0.826	0.826	2.3%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	1.692	3.384	2.0%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

Bradley Martino · WRUsage 1.4% · Avg PPA 1.117 · Total 1.117

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	1.117	1.117	1.4%
Pass	1.117	1.117	3.1%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	—	0.000	0.0%
2nd down	1.117	1.117	4.2%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	1.117	1.117	1.7%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

George Rohl · TEUsage 1.4% · Avg PPA 0.392 · Total 0.392

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.392	0.392	1.4%
Pass	0.392	0.392	3.1%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	0.392	0.392	3.0%
2nd down	—	0.000	0.0%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	0.392	0.392	1.7%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

Jacob Simpson · TEUsage 1.4% · Avg PPA -0.827 · Total -0.827

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	-0.827	-0.827	1.4%
Pass	-0.827	-0.827	3.1%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	—	0.000	0.0%
2nd down	-0.827	-0.827	4.2%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	-0.827	-0.827	1.7%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

Jaron Thomas · RBUsage 1.4% · Avg PPA 0.068 · Total 0.068

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.068	0.068	1.4%
Pass	—	0.000	0.0%
Rush	0.068	0.068	2.6%
1st down	—	0.000	0.0%
2nd down	0.068	0.068	4.2%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	—	0.000	0.0%
Passing downs	0.068	0.068	7.1%

Zion Steptoe · WRUsage 1.4% · Avg PPA 0.361 · Total 0.361

Split	Average PPA	Total PPA	Usage
Overall	0.361	0.361	1.4%
Pass	0.361	0.361	3.1%
Rush	—	0.000	0.0%
1st down	0.361	0.361	3.0%
2nd down	—	0.000	0.0%
3rd down	—	0.000	0.0%
Standard downs	0.361	0.361	1.7%
Passing downs	—	0.000	0.0%

Where Minnesota sits · 2026 FBS distributions138 teams · raw PPA

2026 · Through provider Week 9. Each metric uses only published FBS teams with a numeric value. Higher percentile is better; tied values receive the midpoint of their positions, rounded to a whole percentile. Missing values are unranked.

Values and percentiles

Minnesota metric values with FBS percentiles, 2026
Metric	Value	Percentile	Better
Offense PPA/play	0.024	17th138 teams	higher
Offense success rate	0.385	14th138 teams	higher
Offense explosiveness	1.143	16th138 teams	higher
Offense pass PPA/play	0.137	33rd138 teams	higher
Offense rush PPA/play	-0.066	5th138 teams	higher
Defense PPA/play	0.011	74th138 teams	lower
Defense success rate	0.380	71st138 teams	lower
Defense explosiveness	1.206	58th138 teams	lower
Defense havoc created	0.206	95th138 teams	higher

Passing profile

2026 · CFBD passing family · raw PPA

Captured 2026-11-06. Offense: 100% of 269 attempts charted. Average depth of target 6.1 yards (1st percentile of FBS). Yards after catch 6.1 per completion. Completion 62.5%, 6.2 yards per attempt, pass PPA 0.13.

Completion percentage over expected (CPOE)
Side	Actual	Expected	CPOE (pp)	Qualifying / all attempts
Offense	59.8%	64.7%	-4.8	234 / 269
Defense allowed	56.0%	60.9%	-4.9	207 / 222

Actual and expected use the same qualifying attempts, which can be fewer than all passes. CPOE is their difference in percentage points (pp); higher is better on offense, lower allowed is better on defense. CFBD models FBS-vs-FBS passes, excluding spikes, throwaways, intentional grounding and attempts without air yards. — means unavailable; small samples have fewer than 40 qualifying attempts.

Depth of target vs yards after catch, FBS offenses

138 teams with at least 40 charted attempts. The highlighted point is Minnesota.

Target mix by zone, Minnesota offense

Highlighted bars are deep zones. Shares are of located attempts only.

Defense and rushing detail

Minnesota passing defense and rushing profile, 2026
Side	Attempts	Charted	ADOT	YAC	Comp %	PPA	CPOE	CPOE att
Passing offense	269	100%	6.1	6.1	62.5%	0.13	-4.8 pp	234
Passing defense	222	100%	8.5	5.4	56.3%	0.07	-4.9 pp	207

Rushing production

Side	Attempts	Yards / carry	Success	PPA	Line yards / rush	Second-level yards / rush	Open-field yards / rush	Stuff rate	Power success
Offense	229	3.5	38.6%	-0.02	2.50	0.70	1.00	22.3%	60.5%
Defense allowed	259	3.9	41.7%	0.11	3.10	1.10	0.80	20.0%	67.9%

Second-level yards are gained 5–10 yards past the line; open-field yards are beyond 10. These are provider per-rush averages, not totals. Power success measures success with two or fewer yards needed. Exact line-metric and power-success denominators are not supplied in this feed.

Rushing sample and attribution

Side	Yards recorded	Individual	Unattributed	Sacks	Kneels	Team rushes	Multiple carriers	Direction located / eligible
Offense	227 / 229	223	6	10	2	4	0	215 / 215 · 100.0%
Defense allowed	256 / 259	253	6	16	2	3	0	239 / 240 · 99.6%

Counts are attempts. Team totals include sacks, kneels, team-only rushes and unresolved attribution; these categories can overlap and must not be summed. Direction coverage uses ordinary direction-eligible rushes, not all attempts. Missing fields in older captures remain unavailable.

Raw provider values, no opponent adjustment; not model inputs. CFBD metric definitions.

Game-by-game passing and rushing

MetricSide

2026 · Passing CPOE · percentage points. Dashed line: season -4.8 pp. 7 of 8 captured games have this metric. Missing observations break the line.

CPOE is completion percentage over expected on qualifying FBS-vs-FBS attempts; positive means more completions than expected. PPA is raw provider PPA. These are game observations, not opponent-adjusted forecasts. P labels postseason weeks.

Game log and attempt coverage

Week	Opponent	Pass att	CPOE att	Comp %*	Expected %*	CPOE	ADOT	Pass PPA	Rush att	Rush yds/carry	Rush PPA
W1	Eastern Illinois	33	0	—	—	—	5.8	0.48	38	3.9	0.26
W2	Mississippi State	48	48	64.6%	62.9%	+1.7 pp	7.6	0.02	15	0.9	-0.19
W3	Akron	31	31	54.8%	59.3%	-4.5 pp	7.3	0.17	32	6.6	0.31
W4	Washington	29	28	71.4%	66.0%	+5.4 pp	5.6	0.44	33	3.8	-0.20
W5	Michigan	25	25	68.0%	67.5%	+0.5 pp	4.7	-0.30	40	3.2	-0.09
W6	Purdue	39	39	56.4%	63.3%	-6.9 pp	8.4	0.19	13	1.8	-0.66
W8	Iowa	27	26	50.0%	64.9%	-14.9 pp	3.4	0.09	35	2.1	-0.14
W9	Indiana	37	37	54.1%	69.7%	-15.7 pp	4.2	-0.08	23	4.1	0.12

*Completion and expected rates use the same CPOE-eligible attempts. ADOT uses available air-yard attempts; a game needs at least one. No missing family is filled with the other family’s data.

Punting and returns

2026 season to date · CFBD · captured 2026-11-06T12:25:52.746993+00:00. Descriptive totals, including postseason when present.

Our punts

44 punts · 42.3 gross yards/punt · 39.3 net yards/punt

9 inside the 20 · 0 touchbacks · 2 blocked

Known gross yards: 44/44 punts. Known net yards: 30/44 punts.

Our punt returns

22 returns · 17.9 yards/return · 2 touchdowns

2 muffs · 1 opponent punts blocked

Known return yards: 22/22 returns. Return totals include team-only and unattributed plays.

Recent games

Game	Punts	Gross yd/punt	Net yd/punt	Known net yards
Week 9 · Indiana	7	48.6	48.0	4/7
Week 8 · Iowa	9	41.8	36.1	8/9
Week 6 · Purdue	5	45.4	39.0	3/5
Week 5 · Michigan	5	39.4	32.0	4/5
Week 4 · Washington	6	35.8	34.0	4/6

Team style

Rating history