2016 record 9–4 (5–4 Big Ten) Defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel (1st year) | Division West Division Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson (1st year) | |
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Head coach Tracy Claeys (1st year) | ||
The 2016 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by first-year head coach Tracy Claeys and played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium. They were a member of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 9-4, 5-4 in conference play to finish in fourth place in the West Division. They were invited to the Holiday Bowl where they defeated Washington State.
Schedule
Minnesota will face all six West Division opponents: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, and Wisconsin. The Gophers will also face East Division opponents Maryland, Penn State, and Rutgers. Minnesota will play three non-conference games: Oregon State of the Pac-12 Conference, Indiana State of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and Colorado State of the Mountain West Conference. Minnesota has one bye week during the season between their games against Indiana State and Colorado State.