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ESPN’s FPI predicts outcome of Minnesota-Western Illinois in Week 2

Ethan Stone

By Ethan Stone

Published:

ESPN’s FPI is predicting the outcome of all the games in Week 1, including Minnesota’s Week 2 matchup against Western Illinois.

It doesn’t take a genius to predict the winner of this one. The Golden Gophers shut out New Mexico State in Week 1, 38-0 and will likely do the same to the FCS Leathernecks.

According to ESPN’s FPI, the Golden Gophers have a 99.1% chance of coming out on top and avoiding an upset Saturday. A key moving forward, and Saturday, will be running back Mohamed Ibrahim.

Ibrahim is going to win the Golden Gophers a lot of game this season as well. The senior running back accounted for 2 of Minnesota’s scores Thursday, including the first of the program’s season.

He finished the day with 132 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. That’s the 10th straight time Ibrahim has rushed for 100 or more yards. He suffered an Achilles injury last season against Ohio State that kept him off the field the remainder of the season. He has not rushed for less than 100 yards in a single game since 2019.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.