Northwestern vs. Minnesota GameThread

With 31-mph gusts blowing across Ryan Field and rain drizzling from the heavens above, Big Ten football is finally upon us. No. 16 Northwestern (4-0, 0-0) hosts Minnesota (3-1, 0-0) in a Big Ten West clash.

Both the Wildcats and the Golden Gophers are dealing with injuries. Northwestern will be without left tackle Geoff Mogus, superback Garrett Dickerson, offensive lineman Adam DePietro and defensive back Kyle Queiro. The main concern for Minnesota is its defensive secondary, which is far from 100 percent health-wise.

The Wildcats are coming off perhaps their least impressive performance of the year last week: a sluggish 24-19 victory over Ball State in which they trailed 10-7 at halftime. Minnesota likewise has struggled to deal with MAC foes in the past two weeks, beating Kent State 10-7 two weeks ago and surviving Ohio 27-24. Minnesota leads the all-time series 52-33-5 and has won each of the past two meetings, including a 24-17 victory last year.

It's the Big Ten opener for both teams. There's Big Ten weather in the area. Come discuss it with us!