After suffering their first loss of the season last week against Mississippi State, the Gophers will look to bounce back on Saturday against Akron. Minnesota is currently around a 23-point favorite, but the Zips could have the pieces to make Week 3 uncomfortable.
Here are our staff writers’ predictions.
Tony Liebert: Minnesota 24, Akron 10
If I were a betting man, 23 points feels like way too many for this Gophers team, against an above-average team from the Mid-American Conference (MAC). P.J. Fleck has only three wins against the MAC by more than 10 points in seven tries at Minnesota, and it wouldn’t shock me if Saturday’s 11 a.m. CT kickoff resulted in a sleepy effort.
Fifth-year head coach Joe Moorhead has the Zips in a respectable spot. I think second-year QB Cibastian Broughton helps his team stick around, and the Gophers do just enough to win a gross one to wrap up nonconference play.
Joe Nelson: Minnesota 30, Akron 27
Since taking Indiana to four overtimes in 2023, Akron has lost to Ohio State (52-6), Rutgers (49-17), and Nebraska (68-0). You’d think Minnesota would be able to smash them, but after last week’s debacle against Mississippi State, I can smell another frustrating Saturday coming. Watch out for Akron quarterback Cibastian Broughton to carve up Minnesota with his arm and legs, as the Zips push the Gophers to the brink before Minnesota comes through at the very end.
Will Ragatz: Minnesota 27, Akron 10
We’re unlikely to learn much about the Gophers this week. Until proven otherwise, this is a mediocre team that crushes bad teams and gets crushed by good ones. Akron is obviously better than Eastern Illinois, but Minnesota’s combination of talent and post-loss motivation will be too much for the Zips.
Jonathan Harrison: Minnesota 24, Akron 13
The Gophers need a get-back game in the biggest way after getting smoked by Mississippi State last week. After only five wins last season, Akron have started off 1-1 with a young electric QB at the helm. Minnesota’s defense will need to find a way to limit the dual-threat ability of Zips QB Cibastian Broughton, who has rushed for 153 yards in two games while completing 83% of his passes, better than they did against Kamario Taylor. If they can do that, then I think the Gophers roll on Saturday. If not, it could be a tight one for Fleck’s Gophers.
Here are last week’s picks. Season records for our pickers:
- Will: 2-0
- Joe: 1-1
- Jonathan: 1-1
- Tony: 1-1
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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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