Can't Wait For Saturday Minnesota, Fleck inviting an SEC team to the Twin Cities

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Mar. 26—***

During the first two weeks-ish of the NCAA tournament, I will be ranking each Big Ten football team's best nonconference game.

Quick recap: No. 1 Ohio State at Texas, Sept. 12.

2. Michigan vs. Oklahoma, Sept. 12

3. Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame, Sept 6

4. Michigan State at Notre Dame, Sept. 19.

5. Purdue vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 26.

6. Oregon vs. Boise State, Sept. 5.

7. Illinois vs. Duke, Sept. 12.

8. Iowa vs. Iowa State, Sept. 12.

9. UCLA at Cal, Sept. 5.

10. Washington vs. Washington State, Sept. 5.

11. Maryland vs. Virginia Tech, Sept. 19.

Yes, Minnesota has scheduled a handful of nonconference games against the Power Four during P.J. Fleck's nine seasons. But never against the SEC. Until now.

The Gophers host Mississippi State on Sept. 12. Minnesota's other two noncon games are against Eastern Illinois and Akron.

To be fair, Minnesota's league schedule is difficult with games against Washington, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana and Penn State, three on the road.

The Gophers don't have to play Ohio State or Oregon, which will both be ranked among the Top 10 in the preseason.

Minnesota will return the game to Starkville in 2027. In 2032 and

'33, Minnesota has a home-and-home with Alabama. Wonder if Fleck will still be in charge then. And who will be the Alabama coach?

Mississippi State is coming off a 5-8 season that closed with a loss to Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.

Coach Jeff Lebby enters his third season in charge of the Bulldogs and wants to improve on his 7-18 start. Lebby is the son-in-law of former Houston coach Art Briles.

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