Ad Disclosure
No picnic: Minnesota’s Week 1 opponent South Dakota State receives high ranking in FCS poll
Published:
At a quick glance, you might look and see that Minnesota is playing South Dakota State in Week 1 and chalk up an easy victory for the Golden Gophers. The Week 1 bout will be anything but easy, though.
On Monday, the FCS rankings were released around the same time as the Associated Press revealed its Week 1 top 25. South Dakota State ranked No. 4 in the FCS poll, behind North Dakota State (No. 1), James Madison (No. 2) and Eastern Washington (No. 3).
The Jackrabbits are coming off a 10-3 season in 2018, making a run to the FCS Playoff semifinal game before being bounced by North Dakota State. Last year, they were scheduled to play Iowa State in the season opener but the game was canceled.
South Dakota State last played an FBS program in 2016, falling 59-41 against TCU.
RELATED: Carter Coughlin Proves He’s a Team Guy in Interview
Minnesota is coming off a 7-6 campaign, beating Wisconsin and winning a bowl game in the same season for the first time in school history. The Gophers are expected to challenge for a division title.
South Dakota State-Minnesota will kickoff at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 29. It is the only B1G game scheduled for the night.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB