What the Pioneer Press called the “brief ascent in the college football rankings” ended for the Minnesota Gophers on Sunday when the team exited the USA Today coaches poll. Last week, the team peaked at No. 23.
The plunge reflects the Gophers 20-7 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Jerry Kill’s squad garnered only 12 votes in the USA Today poll, good for 27th place. The team drew five votes in the Associated Press media poll, which put them in 32nd place.
Adding insult to injury for Minnesota fans, Saturday’s contest pushed the Badgers up in the rankings. Wisconsin moved to No. 14 in both polls, enhancing their chances of securing a BCS bowl bid.
North Dakota State earned one vote in the AP poll, tying for 33rd in the big-school rankings.
Despite the loss, KARE reported the University of Minnesota had a record-setting day. Saturday’s border battle drew 53,090 fans–the most ever to watch a game at TCF Bank Stadium. The game was also the coldest ever at the new stadium.
