Gophers Embrace the Heat, Prep for Guaranteed Rate Bowl Showdown with New Mexico
PHOENIX - The Minnesota Gophers traded snow boots for sunglasses this weekend, stepping off the plane and into a welcome blast of 75-degree sunshine in Arizona. After a long winter grind in frigid Minneapolis, there’s no denying the shift in scenery has brought a jolt of energy to the program ahead of Friday’s Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
Head coach P.J. Fleck has long preached a “no excuses, no distractions” mindset, but even he acknowledged the boost that comes from swapping single-digit temps for desert warmth.
“Coming from Minnesota, our guys are so excited to be here,” Fleck said shortly after landing. “It truly helped bowl prep as well, knowing we were going to someplace really warm. We’re so excited to be here.”
The Gophers (7-5) are slight favorites heading into their matchup with New Mexico (9-3), with Vegas placing them as 2.5-point favorites for the 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Chase Field. Minnesota arrived in Phoenix a day ahead of the Lobos, giving them a bit of a head start in adjusting to the climate and settling into game-week routines.
This isn’t the Gophers’ first rodeo in the Valley of the Sun. Back in 2021, they knocked off West Virginia 18-6 in the same bowl game and brought a strong contingent of fans with them - roughly 4,000 tickets were sold through the university’s allotment. While this year’s attendance might not match that number, early trends suggest Minnesota could still have the edge in fan presence over New Mexico, even with Albuquerque being just a six-hour drive away.
Signs Point to Star Power Returning
In the lead-up to the bowl, Minnesota fans got a bit of a teaser on social media: a photo of standout defensive end Anthony Smith in full gear, captioned “Final Practice in Dinkytown.” It’s a strong hint that the Big Ten’s second-leading tackler is gearing up to play in Friday’s game - a significant boost for a defense that will need every bit of its firepower to contain a New Mexico offense that’s put up nine wins this season.
Smith’s presence would be a major plus, but he might not be the only key figure returning. Fleck, while staying tight-lipped on specifics, expressed optimism that the Gophers are close to locking in several core players for 2026 - including Smith and standout safety Koi Perich.
“Got to finish up one or two more,” Fleck said. “And I really love what we’ve done.”
That kind of continuity could be huge for a program looking to build momentum heading into next season. But first, there’s business to take care of in Phoenix.
The Gophers have a chance to end the year on a high note - and they’re doing it under the desert sun, far from the snow-covered fields of home.