DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Minnesota defeated Rutgers 31–28 in a nail-biter. Rutgers covered by 0.5; Game went Over by 7.5. The market closed at Minnesota -3.5 and the Blue Chip model made it Minnesota -3.0. The two were within a point of each other, so there was no meaningful edge in this line.
Rutgers led 28-24 in the fourth quarter but allowed Minnesota to score the go-ahead touchdown with under a minute left, marking the second straight Big Ten loss where they held a fourth-quarter lead.
The only turnover of the game was a critical miscommunication on a shotgun snap that skipped past quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, costing Rutgers 15 yards and pushing a potential game-tying field goal attempt to 56 yards, which was missed.
Antwan Raymond rushed for a career-high 161 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing Minnesota's total rushing defense from their first three games combined, but the team still struggled with consistency.
Rutgers gave up seven sacks, which contributed to negative rushing yards lost and disrupted offensive rhythm, highlighting a weakness that Washington's defense could exploit.
Coach Greg Schiano noted the team is struggling to consistently execute, citing missed field goals, the turnover, and penalties as key factors in the loss, which could be a concern heading into a road game at Washington.
Lindsay threw for 324 yards and 3 TDs, completing 31 of 41 passes, with 23 of 28 in the second half, leading a rally from a 14-0 deficit. His poise and short passing game control the clock, showing he can be relied upon in high-pressure situations.
Minnesota managed only 35 rushing yards due to injuries to their top two running backs, forcing reliance on the passing game. This weakness could be exploited by Ohio State's strong defense next week.
After allowing only 124 rushing yards total in the first three games, Rutgers' Antwan Raymond ran for 161 yards and 2 TDs. The defense's inability to stop the run is a concern heading into a matchup with Ohio State's potent offense.
Rutgers' botched snap on the final drive and missed 56-yard field goal allowed Minnesota to escape with a win. The Gophers' defense forced a critical error but must improve consistency to beat top teams.
Minnesota travels to Columbus to face the top-ranked Buckeyes on Oct. 4. The Gophers will need a complete team effort, especially on defense and in the run game, to compete against a powerhouse opponent.
At kickoff, conditions at Huntington Bank Stadium were Sunny, 75°F with winds of 10 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Sunny
75°F
| Measure | RutgersAway | MinnesotaHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 1,000 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Home game | Bye week |
| Season total | 1,000 miles | 3,151 miles |
| Body clock | 12:00 | 11:00 |
| Rest | 7 days | 13 days |
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