Predictions, key factors to watch for in Gophers vs. Rhode Island

The Minnesota Gophers football team was the lone Big Ten team to lose in Week 1 — a disappointing start at home to the 2024 season. The good news is they have a golden opportunity to bounce back.

The Rhode Island Rams, an FCS team in the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference, come to town Saturday, offering Minnesota a chance to get in the win column. Last week, the Rams won their season-opener at home against Holy Cross, 20-17.

Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on Peacock, but first, here are some predictions and things to watch for on Saturday.

Related: Minnesota's P.J. Fleck discusses loss to UNC, preparations for Rhode Island

Why I’m confident

Josh: The Gophers’ edge in talent

A lower level of competition doesn’t guarantee a win but it also doesn’t hurt.

The Gophers have been good, as they should be, against FCS teams and have won their last six games vs. FCS opponents, dating back to 2012. Most recently, they beat Western Illinois 62-10 in 2022.

Minnesota has the superior talent but didn’t execute well against North Carolina. They’ll be able to lean more on that talent on Saturday to get a win.

Tommy: Time for a bounceback

Minnesota continuously shot themselves in the foot last week against North Carolina and with a easier opponent on the books, it's expected that will get cleaned up on Saturday.

Penalties, turnovers and time management seemed to hold the Gophers back multiple times against the Tar Heels in what could've been a completely different outcome.

Look for Minnesota to polish up these areas at Huntington Bank Stadium and a win will follow.

Why I’m concerned

Josh: Minnesota’s offense

The offense certainly didn’t look great in the season-opener.

Quarterback Max Brosmer, who came to Minnesota from FCS-level New Hampshire, was just 13-of-21 for 165 yards against North Carolina and minus top running back Darius Taylor, the Gophers only totaled 79 yards and 2.4 yards per carry, as the big offensive linemen did not impose their will at all.

Yeah, they still would’ve won had Dragan Kesich made his kicks but the offense left yards and points on the field and they need to be better if this is still going to be a successful season.

Tommy: No Darius Taylor

Taylor is out for the second straight game in the 2024 season as he works his way back from a hamstring injury.

That means Marcus Major will have to step up as the starter. He filled in last week against North Carolina and played well, but the Gophers will need the run game to be dominant to be successful on offense.

Taylor is a game-changing player when he's on the field, as he showed in the games played last season before he suffered a hamstring injury then.

The Gophers will need to gameplan around that for a second consecutive week.

Related: Gophers only Big Ten team winless after Week 1

Key matchup

Josh: Gophers running game vs. Rams run defense

As mentioned above, the Gophers offense as a whole left a lot to be desired against North Carolina but the run game has been Minnesota’s bread and butter for some time.

Major, serving as the top back with Taylor sidelined, did well, racking up 73 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries (3.7 yards per attempt), but there is still room for improvement.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island allowed 170 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries (4.7 yards per attempt) in its season-opener against Holy Cross.

Minnesota should have a huge day on the ground on Saturday.

Tommy: Gophers QB Max Brosmer vs. Rhode Island defense

While the Gophers are set up for a big day on the ground on paper, could this be Max Brosmer's coming out party as a Gopher?

Brosmer completed 13-of-21 passes for 166 yards last week against UNC, throwing no touchdowns or interceptions.

The transfer quarterback torched defenses during his years at New Hampshire and going into a matchup against an FCS team — that only allowed 101 passing yards last week — it could be a game that Brosmer steps up and shows Minnesota what he truly brings to the offense.

All eyes on

Josh: Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer

Brosmer didn’t have a strong debut was also wasn’t terrible, as the offense’s struggles were far from just his fault.

Still, head coach P.J. Fleck and the Gophers talked him up during the summer and last Thursday was an underwhelming start.

He doesn’t need to throw for 300 yards but can he take what is given, hit his receivers in stride, make some well-timed plays and lead the offense to a better showing than the opener?

Tommy: Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson

The senior is supposed to be one of the top playmakers on the Gophers' offense this season but was hardly involved last week.

He caught four passes for 55 yards but was taken out of the game ahead of key moments by Fleck.

Brosmer is still getting comfortable under center but it will be interesting to see if Minnesota throws the ball to Jackson more on Saturday than the first game.

Prediction

Josh: 41-10 Gophers

I’m still a little skeptical about the offense overall after what it showed against North Carolina but they should still be able to handle their business on Saturday against the Rams. The running backs will have a big day and the Gophers will get in the win column.

Tommy: 28-14 Gophers

The Gophers offense should move the ball down the field a bit easier than Week 1, but that's all speculative. Everything is in place for this team to click on both sides of the ball, and Minnesota's defense will continue to play well after holding North Carolina to only one touchdown all game. Gophers double up the Rams at home.