Hockey Border Battle: Minnesota Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers

On November 5th and 6th, the Minnesota Golden Gophers will face off against the Wisconsin Badgers at Mariucci Arena. Wisconsin finished runner-ups last season as they lost to Boston College in the National Championship. They will enter the season with high expectations, as will the hometown team. This is an important season for the Minnesota Gophers, as they attempt to get the program steered back in the right direction after missing the last 2 NCAA Tournaments. As always, Minnesota has highly anticipated recruiting class coming in. Mark Alt, Nick Bjugstad, Nate Condon, Erik Haula, Nate Schmidt, and possibly Seth Ambroz and Max Gardiner (might come in next year) headline another strong class for the Minnesota Gophers. The Border Battle always makes for a great atmosphere at Mariucci with both fans passionate about their programs. The games are filled with intensity, big hits, quick skating, and hard slap spots. The Minnesota Gophers will be depending on captains Jay Barriball, Mike Hoeffel, and Alex Kangas for a sweep of the Badgers.

2010-2011 Minnesota Gopher Hockey Schedule Released

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Hockey schedule for the 2010-2011 season was released on June 15. This marks the first time that the WCHA will field 12 teams, with the expansion of Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha. The Gophers will start the season with 6 straight home games, the first time in 46 years! This is also the first time the Minnesota Gophers will start their season at home since the 2005-2006 season. Minnesota's first opponent will be the University of Massachusetts on Friday, October 8th. The beginning homestand will be followed by Nebraska-Omaha and St. Cloud State. The Gophers first road test will be in Colorado College the weekend of October 29th and 30th. Minnesota will host Michigan and Michigan State on November 26th through the 28th. The Dodge Holiday Classic on New Years Eve and Day will pit the Gophers against Union and Ferris State. Minnesota will play Minnesota-Duluth, Wisconsin, and Michigan Tech each 4 times. The rival weekend with North Dakota is the weekend of January 14th and 15th in Grand Forks. The Minnesota Gophers will conclude their regular season at Bemidji State on March 5th.

OSU Buckeyes Debut at TCF Bank: Oct.30

On October 30th, the Buckeyes from "the" Ohio State University will be making their debut at TCF Bank Stadium. On paper, the Gophers won't be favored in this matchup. Year after year Ohio State contends for the Big 10 Title while the Gophers are trying to become a contending program. However, a program like Ohio State will always draw fans for a game cause it would make for that much sweeter of an upset. For this reason, I am looking forward to this game as my #2 game I am excited about, behind USC. Programs that are well established and have the 5-star recruits make for the a good game to attend, as opposed to South Dakota where you're supposed to win. Ohio State has had Minnesota's number year in and year out, but never has Ohio State played Minnesota in front of the atmosphere that TCF Bank has. The Metrodome was not the college venue that TCF Bank Stadium is and I imagine the crowd in full force.

The Excitement Builds: USC's Arrival at TCF Bank

The University of Southern California will be migrating to Minneapolis on September 18. Simply put, most Gopher fans have viewed this matchup as just another instance that could end in embarrassment. However, due to USC's seemingly mediocre season last year as well as their recent violations, Minnesota may have a better chance than people give them credit for. As a lifelong Gopher football fan, I believe this game gives Minnesota a chance to give immediate credit for the program. In recent seasons, the program has had several embarrassing moments (14-13 Loss to Iowa State in 2009, 55-0 Loss to Iowa in 2008, 27-21 Loss to North Dakota State in 2007, etc.) that has tested the loyalty of the fans for the Maroon and Gold. If Minnesota were to defeat USC, Minnesota could get back some much needed pride and recognition that could help fans forget about some of the recent setbacks. Having an established powerhouse as USC visit Dinkytown should be enough for any fan to want to attend TCF Bank Stadium. If Minnesota were to defeat the Trojans, it would be a huge win that could boost confidence for the always challenging Big 10 schedule.

Adding the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the NCAA Big 10 Conference is bad for the Minnesota Golden Gophers

The first kick-off may be months away, but college football has been reeling the past 10 days with the announcement that the Big 12 Conference, comprised of NCAA Division-I teams, would no longer exist after this season. The Big 12 dissolution was related to the amount of money earned for Big 12 TV spots in relation to the other conferences, without the demand for Big 12 games on TV the conference could not support itself. What it all boils down to is TROUBLE for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Big 10 conference. The Big 10 offered an invitation to the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are a powerhouse when it comes to DI football. By adding in another extremely competitive football team the Minnesota Golden Gophers Football Roster is going to have to work that much harder just to stay ranked within the conference and have a chance a good postseason Bowl Bid. The 2011 Gophers Football Schedule will reflect the change in the conference and will spell WORK for the Gopher Football Players. Check back for more information about the Big 10 and the rest of the former Big 12 schools.

University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball Team to host the University of Virginia in the Big 10/ACC Challenge

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball Team will host the University of Virginia in the 12th annual Big 10-ACC Challenge. The anticipated match-up will be on November 29th at Williams Arena, home of the Golden Gophers Basketball Roster. This is the 6th year the Big 10 Conference and the ACC will have the 11 game series. The Big 10-ACC Challenge games including the Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball Team will be televised on ESPNU, ESPN, and ESPN2. The finalized Golden Gopehrs Basketball Schedule, including times for all Gopher Games will be released later.

Gopher Baseball Player Scott Matyas drafted to the Milwauee Brewers

Congratulations University of Minnesota Gopher Baseball player Scott Matyas!! Scott Matyas, the junior closer on the Golden Gopher Baseball Roster was drafted to the Milwaukee Brewers in the second draft for the U of M star. This year Matyas was selected 1,209 in the 40th round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Scott Matyas joins fellow Minnesota Golden Gophers athletes Eric Decker and Cullen Sexton on the Brewers Roster. Check out these former Minnesota Stars when the Milwaukee Brewers come to play the Minnesota Twins! Congratulations Scott Matays!!

Sam Maresh Leaves U

After working his way back from heart surgery to play for the Gophers, Sam Maresh will be leaving the Gophers for academic reasons. Maresh will be attending a local community college, but it still might be possible for him to return to the Gophers once he improves his grades at the community college. Maresh went through a surgery to replace a heart valve in 2008 and red shirted last season but went to spring practices and was competing for a starting position on the football team. Maresh really hopes he can rejoin the team, but the former local high school star must get his grades up first.

Gophers will travel West to play Cal State Fullerton

The Minnesota Golden Gophers baseball team was awarded a 4 seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. They will head to Cal State Fullerton to take on the Titans, who are the number one seed in their section of the bracket. The other two teams in their region are Stanford and New Mexico. This will be the third time since 2004 that the Gophers and Cal State Fullerton have met in the postseason. The Titans beat the Gophers 7-1 in Fullerton in 2004 and by the same score in San Diego in 2007. For the second consecutive season, the Gophers go into the postseason having won 16 of their past 21 games. The Gophers are red hot and have overcome a horrible 4-13 stretch to begin the season. Gooooo Gophs!!!!