The Golden Gophers played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference.

Minnesota was projected to finish in sixth place in the Big Ten West Division by the preseason media poll.

[2] The Gophers' offense was led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Tanner Morgan, who had 3,253 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, and was named second-team All-Big Ten.

Wide receivers Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson both finished with more than 1,200 yards and were both named first-team all-conference.

[1] Source:[3] Down 1, the Gophers won the game with a short TD run by Mohamed Ibrahim and a two point conversion late in the 4th Quarter to win 28–21.

The game was a back and forth affair with both teams trading field goals then touchdowns to make it 10–10 after the 1st Quarter.