Minnesota Football: 8 Opponents We'd Love to See on Future Schedules

In 2010, the Minnesota Gophers finished 3-9.

In 2011, the Gophers will look to rebound, but a tough out-of-conference matchup against the USC Trojans will not allow them to start on a lighter note.

Every year, teams schedule non-conference opponents. Some are cupcakes, and some are perennial powerhouses.

Here are eight teams we would like to see on future slates for the Golden Gophers:

Northern Illinois Huskies

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 2: Quaterback Phil Horvath #3 of the Northern Illinois University Huskies hands-off the ball to his running back Garrett Wolfe #1 during the game against the Ohio State University Buckeyes on September 2, 2006 at Ohio Stadium in

Before coming to Minnesota, head coach Jerry Kill served as the Northern Illinois football coach for three seasons.

Considering Northern Illinois' 10-3 mark in 2010, it would be to the Golden Gophers advantage to play a team with a better record.

A win would boost prestige, and a loss would keep Minnesota on the same path. No harm could come from this game.

Add in the factor of Kill coming back to Northern Illinois, and this could be a fun matchup.

Iowa State Cyclones

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 13: Alexander Robinson #33 of the Iowa State Cyclones celebrates his eight yard touchdown run in the second quarter with his teammates against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 13, 2010 in Boulder, Colorado. Colora

The 2009 Insight Bowl pitted the Minnesota Golden Gophers against the Iowa State Cyclones.

The Golden Gophers would lose a nail biter 14-13.

A rematch in the future would make sense for two usually mediocre teams.

It would create a competitive matchup, and the bowl rematch would make it more compelling for fans of the two squads.

Maybe this time the Golden Gophers can squeeze out a victory against the middle of the pack Cyclones.

UCLA Bruins

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PASADENA, CA - DECEMBER 04: UCLA Bruins head coach Rick Neuheisel yells from the sideline against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl on December 4, 2010 in Pasadena, California. USC defeated UCLA 28-14. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The last time the Golden Gophers played in the Rose Bowl was 1962, against the UCLA Bruins.

The Golden Gophers won the matchup 21-3.

Now over 40 years later, both programs are fighting to stay nationally relevant. Reviving this very old matchup could be interesting.

Both teams could use a win against a power conference opponent, and the mystique behind the bowl matchup could have longtime fans excited in the fall.

Washington Huskies

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Running back Jesse Callier #24 of the Washington Huskies runs with the ball in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 53-16. (Photo by

In 1962, the Golden Gophers defeated the UCLA Bruins to claim a victory in the Rose Bowl.

The year before, the Golden Gophers lost the Rose Bowl to the Washington Huskies.

Similar to the matchup against the Bruins; a matchup against the Huskies could revive two struggling programs.

These coming years will find the Huskies trying to find a new quarterback to replace Jake Locker.

This could be the perfect time to revisit this old bowl matchup.

Colorado Buffaloes

Like the Golden Gophers, the Colorado Buffaloes are frequently lost in the mix of a power conference.

A matchup between these two teams would allow each team a chance to grab a solid win, without playing a team not worthy of top competition.

Both teams run balanced attacks and are trying to find their way back to prosperous seasons on the gridiron.

Both teams have also seen their share of coaching changes, so the familiarity is there.

Kansas Jayhawks

The 2008 Insight Bowl saw the Minnesota Golden Gophers be defeated by the Kansas Jayhawks.

Three years later, each team has new coaches, and each team is still mediocre.

The Golden Gophers would love a chance to avenge their loss in the Insight Bowl. The Jayhawks would love to score a quality win after a few disappointing seasons in Lawrence.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Yes, another Insight Bowl rematch.

In 2006, the Texas Tech Red Raiders knocked off the Golden Gophers 44-41 in overtime.

In a riveting matchup, the Golden Gophers lost to a notorious offense in Texas Tech.

In the future, it would be interesting to see how new coach Jerry Kill could defend against the aerial attack of the Red Raiders.

It also would not hurt either team to pick up a very winnable game.

Oregon Ducks

Hey, why not?

In a 2003 Sun Bowl rematch, the Golden Gophers would get a chance to knock off the Oregon Ducks.

Since 2003, the Ducks have become a national powerhouse and the Golden Gophers have continued to tread water and stay neutral.

This matchup would not hurt the Ducks in the eyes of the BCS, unless they lost, of course, and a win for the Golden Gophers would be absolutely huge.