While the Gophers will be able to take on former Big 12 powerhouse Nebraska in the near future thanks to conference realignment; they will no longer be able to take on current Big 12 powerhouse Texas.
↵Minnesota bolstered its 2015 and 2016 non-conference slate in a huge way when when they booked a home-and-home series with the Longhorns. However, TV contracts couldn't be agreed upon and the deal has fallen through.
↵I know that most would think it's silly for us to worry too much about a game that was scheduled five years down the road, but the reality in college football today is that it might be tough to fill those schedule spots with another quality opponent. Believe it or not, the Gophers already have games scheduled against Navy for the 2019 and 2020(!) seasons.
↵While losing games against one of the best the nation has to offer is disappointing, the Gophers still have some big non-conference games lined up, starting with this season. Minnesota will host the storied (albeit currently troubled) USC Trojans this September and make the trip to the Coliseum next year.