GET THE INSIDE SCOOP EVERY DAY WITH YOUR PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION!

After a strange, short season thanks to COVID, a full, 12-game season awaits PJ Fleck and Minnesota.

As we inch closer to the season, The Gopher Report will rank each opponent from easiest to hardest.

Today we continue our Ranking The Schedule series with a look at Indiana.

Minnesota at Indiana

Saturday, November 20th | TBD

Memorial Stadium | Bloomington, Indiana

TV: ESPN Networks TBD

6-2 overall record

Penn State - Win, 36-35

@ Rutgers - Win, 37-21

Michigan - Win, 38-21

@ Michigan State - Win, 24-0

@ Ohio State - Loss, 42-35

Maryland - Win, 27-11

@ Wisconsin - Win, 14-6

Ole Miss - Loss, 26-20

Michael Penix Jr. - Quarterback - Junior

Penix Jr is a winner. It's that simple. He is 10-2 as a starter at Indiana, and ranks high in completion percentage and passing yards as well. A finalist for the Davey O'Brien award last season, Penix was 124-220 for 1,645 yards and 14 touchdowns before suffering a season ending ACL injury. Assuming he is game ready by the time these two face off, he will definitely be an impact player.

Micah McFadden - Linebacker - Senior

McFadden is a top linebacker in the conference, and has led the Hoosiers in tackles for two straight seasons. McFadden recorded 58 tackles, 44 solos, six sacks (31 yards), and 10.5 for loss last season.

Ty Fryfogle - Wide Receiver - Senior

Last season, Ty Fryfogle became the first Indiana wide receiver to earn All-American status (third team) since 2007 after recording 721 yards and 7 touchdowns throughout the season, which included two different 200+ yard games. Fryfogle is a dangerous weapon that will be keyed on by every team the Hoosiers face.

It has been a long time since Indiana has been good in back-to-back seasons, so many aren't expecting a lot from Indiana this year. That being said, the Hoosiers looked very strong in eight games last season, and I believe they can carry it over to 2021.

Tom Allen and Indiana return lots of production from last season like the players listed above, and will have their sights set on playing just as well if not better than they did in 2020.

By the time this game happens things could look much different for both teams. It won't be easy on the road, but this is definitely a winnable game for Minnesota.

============================

- Talk about it INSIDE GOPHER NATION

- SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST on Anchor

- Follow us on Twitter: @MinnesotaRivals, @AlexCarlsonTGR, @CStevensTGR, @SeanW_Rivals, @JaredHalus

- SUBSCRIBE to The Gopher Report