Minnesota's game Saturday is their Homecoming. That bodes well.
Over the years, I have noticed 3 occasions in a football season for which an upset is more likely: First game, when the favored team is not yet cohesive, nor confident about what they're doing.
Last game, which is the grudge match, and the underdog comes in jacked up over their chances to be a spoiler.
And Homecoming. Coaches and players are very careful to keep the same practice and preparation schedule, week after week. But Homecoming week always contains many distractions, pep rallies, parades, meeting alums and others, etc. At the same time, the alumni coming in aren't focused on the opposition; none of them say, "Whoa, these patsies we scheduled have me concerned." No, they're talking about beating their rivals, winning their division, winning their conference, going to a bowl, recruiting... anything but the supposed doormat they've scheduled.
And we ain't no doormat.
Should be interesting.