South Dakota State @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) South Dakota St 13, Minnesota 16

Minnesota had plenty of highs and lows last season, but a strong finish is what has fueled the optimism for the Golden Gophers entering the 2019 campaign. Minnesota will look to carry over the momentum from the largest bowl victory in school history when it kicks off its season at home against visiting FCS foe South Dakota State on Thursday night.

The Golden Gophers return a bevy of offensive talent from a team that won three of its last four in 2018, but third-year coach P.J. Fleck emphasized that past success will not necessarily translate into victories. “This year is not an extension of last year. That’s not how we look at it," Fleck said. "This is a team that’s going to find its own ways to win.” Fleck is understandably wary of South Dakota State, which is ranked fourth in the FCS Coaches Poll and is coming off back-to-back appearances in the national semifinals. The Jackrabbits of the Missouri Valley Conference, who won 10 games last season, have lost all six matchups with Minnesota but nearly sprung an upset in their last meeting with a 16-13 defeat in 2009.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Minnesota -14.

ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA (2018: 10-3): The Jackrabbits amassed at least 45 points seven times last season, but they will be turning the keys to the offense to redshirt freshman J'Bore Gibbs, who must replace the school's all-time passing leader, Taryn Christion. Gibbs has the luxury of a potent backfield led by the one-two punch of reigning MVC Freshman of the Year Pierre Strong Jr., a 1,000-yard rusher last season, and Mikey Daniel (630 yards). Wide receiver Cade Johnson is the top target for Gibbs after hauling 67 catches for 1,332 yards and an FCS-leading 17 touchdowns, while the defense is led by linebacker Christian Rozeboom, a three-time MVC first-team pick.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (7-6): Tanner Morgan, who went 4-2 as a starter last season and was assured opening as the starter when Zack Annexstad suffered a foot injury early this month, has a top-notch receiving corps led by senior Tyler Johnson, who had 78 receptions for 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2018. Mohamed Ibrahim capped a 1,160-yard freshman season by rushing for 224 yards and two scores in the Quick Lane Bowl and is joined in the backfield by Rodney Smith, a former 1,000-yard rusher who suffered a torn ACL in Week 2 last season. The key to Minnesota's lofty aspirations is a defense that was shredded for more than 40 points four times during a six-game stretch last season before limiting three of its final four opponents to 15 points or fewer.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Minnesota's 15-game non-conference winning streak is the longest in the nation.

2. South Dakota State is one of two schools (North Dakota State) to reach the FCS playoffs in each of the past seven seasons.

3. Golden Gophers senior LB Carter Coughlin has 30.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his career.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 31, South Dakota State 22