We're firmly in the quiet part of the college football offseason, which gives us a great time to look at the Gophers' 2026 schedule. They will open the season on Thursday, September 3, against Eastern Illinois, and things will heat up quickly. Let's rank all 12 regular-season opponents from most difficult to easiest. 1. Oct. 31: @ Indiana Minnesota will face the defending national champions for the third straight season. The Hoosiers will have a new-look roster, headlined by TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh. They will be a Big Ten championship contender as long as Curt Cignetti is the coach, and they are clearly Minnesota's toughest opponent in 2026. Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during Indiana University spring football practice on Thursday, March 26, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 2. Sep. 26: @ Washington No.…