ESPN: A look at the easiest Big Ten nonconference schedules in 2017 (#12. Minnesota)

per ESPN:

The countdown to the 2017 college football season is already on. And though kickoff for the openers won't arrive for about 32 weeks, that doesn't mean we can't begin thinking about some of the truly intriguing early-season matchups. Which teams have the toughest nonconference schedules, and which ones will fatten up on cupcakes?

Here is a look at the Big Ten's easiest nonleague schedules, ranked 8-14. We examined the other seven teams earlier today in our list of the toughest nonconference schedules. These rankings are based, in part, on how teams performed last season, as well as their expected talent in 2017, though opponents could always perform better or worse than anticipated. Last season, for example, Michigan played a Colorado team that finished just 4-9 the previous season. In 2016, Colorado won the Pac-12 South and finished 10-4.

And now, on to the rankings:

12. Minnesota

Aug. 31: vs. Buffalo (2-10)

Sept. 9: at Oregon State (4-8)

Sept. 16: vs. Middle Tennessee (8-5)

Just like last season, Minnesota has a great opportunity to finish nonconference play 3-0, which would provide a huge boost in coach P.J. Fleck's first season. Buffalo has struggled to gain traction under head coach Lance Leipold, who came to the school after winning six Division III national championships at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Minnesota needed a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Oregon State 30-23 last season. Oregon State coach Gary Andersen is 6-18 in two seasons with the Beavers. Middle Tennessee lost to Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl and ranked 12th in the FBS in scoring offense (39.7 points per game).

http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/pos...siest-big-ten-nonconference-schedules-in-2017

Go Gophers!!

Buffalo should be a good hype-train game for Fleck. A blowout will get the fanbase extremely energized.

Oregon State will be a tough one with an improving team. Hopefully a QB can step up for Minnesota and take over by this game or it could get ugly.

MTSU losing l'tavius Murray hurts, but they will still have the Stockstill-James connection that is extremely dangerous. Regardless, a loss here would be very disappointing.

Oregon State looked better later in the season. I'm concerned about that trip with a lot of question marks on this roster.

I'm expecting 2-1. Oregon State will be favored, IMO.

First game tune up vs. Buffalo should help with those inexperienced players when we head to Oregon State.
2-1 is a good start, but with our talented running game, 3-0 should be a real possibility.