Gophers bowl game outlook: Iowa upset provides new life with intimidating schedule ahead

The Gophers picked up their third upset win of the season in Week 8 against Iowa, and although the rest of their schedule is daunting, they control their own destiny. All in all, things just got a whole lot more interesting.

Gophers bowl game projections

The bowl system will likely look completely different after the 2026-27 season, with the 24-team College Football Playoff looming, but the Gophers have been a shoo-in for a bowl game in seven of the nine seasons under P.J. Fleck. They’re now just one win away from officially earning bowl eligibility.

The latest bowl projections from industry experts:

• On3 (Brett McMurphy): Music City Bowl vs. LSU
• ESPN (Mark Schlabach): Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh
• ESPN (Kyle Bonagura): Myrtle Beach Bowl vs. Arkansas State
• CBS Sports: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pittsburgh
• Athlon (Steve Lassan): Pinstripe Bowl vs. Duke

The Gophers last played in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2022 against Syracuse, which was their first appearance in the game. A trip to Yankee Stadium in late December is now the most common scenario, according to the experts. A Music City Bowl appearance against LSU and Lane Kiffin would be far more interesting.

Big Ten outlook

The Gophers are 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, putting them in a three-way tie for fourth place. They still play first-place UCLA, third-place Indiana and the two other teams they’re tied with, Northwestern and Wisconsin.

Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA appear to be in a tier of their own as Big Ten championship contenders/ Minnesota has the opportunity to prove otherwise, but Saturday’s win over Iowa brings the Gophers back into the second tier of teams in the conference. The best way to rank Northwestern, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa remains to be seen.

Liebert’s post-Week 8 Big Ten power rankings

• 1. Ohio State
• 2. UCLA
• 3. Indiana
• 4. Northwestern
• 5. Wisconsin
• 6. Minnesota
• 7. Iowa
• 8. Purdue
• 9. Illinois
• 10. Oregon
• 11. Nebraska
• 12. USC
• 13. Michigan
• 14. Washington
• 15. Penn State
• 16. Rutgers
• 17. Michigan State
• 18. Maryland

Overall outlook

Minnesota’s frustrating Week 6 loss to Purdue still sticks out like a sore thumb on its overall 2026 résumé, but knocking off No. 15 Iowa is easily its most impressive win. Whether beating the Hawkeyes is a sign of things to come will be determined over the final five weeks, which include four games against ranked opponents.

Regaining Floyd of Rosedale and the Little Brown Jug means the Gophers should be playing with house money for the rest of the season. Fleck has already picked up two of the most memorable wins of his Gophers tenure. Anything more than one or two more victories would make this a special season. Anything more than one or two more victories would make this a special season.