The Associated Press
Minnesota (2-0) at TCU (1-0), 3 p.m. CT Saturday (Fox Sports 1)
Line: TCU by 13 1/2.
Series Record: Minnesota leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Minnesota tries to start 3-0 for third year in a row — the Golden Gophers have gotten to 4-0 each of past two seasons. TCU finally gets to play a second game, only to have another week off right after that. The Horned Frogs also had an open date after convincing opening victory over FCS team Samford two weeks ago.
KEY MATCHUP
TCU QB Trevone Boykin vs. Minnesota defense ravaged by injuries, leading to seven true freshmen already playing on that side of ball. Boykin had 349 total yards in first game with Horned Frogs’ new up-tempo offense, completing 29 of 41 passes for 320 yards with two touchdowns while also running for 1-yard TD. The Golden Gophers have allowed 427 total yards per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota: RB David Cobb is averaging 145.5 yards per game, and 6.8 yards per carry. Last season, he first Golden Gopher to rush for more than 1,000 yards since 2006.
TCU: DE Mike Tuaua, a junior college transfer, had seven tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in his TCU debut.
FACTS & FIGURES
The only previous meeting in the series was Minnesota’s 9-7 home win in 1974, when the Golden Gophers used three quarterbacks, including Tony Dungy and Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman. … Minnesota has played eight true freshmen already this season, seven on defense. … The late Jim Wacker was TCU’s coach from 1983-91, then was Minnesota’s coach from 1992-96. … TCU ran 96 offensive plays in its opener vs. Samford, the most plays in a game since a school-record 111 against San Diego State in 2007.