When it comes to the Gophers’ fiercest rivals, Wisconsin and Iowa are in a league of their own. But recent matchups suggest Rutgers — of all Big Ten programs — can stake a current claim in that otherwise Midwestern club.

The two program have only played four total times, all since 2016, yet Rutgers and Minnesota have a juicy narrative from an intertwined cast of characters.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who transferred from the U to Rutgers after the 2023 season, threw three touchdown passes in a 26-19 win over the Gophers in Piscataway, N.J. last November. And Kaliakmanis did it under former Gophers’ and current Rutgers’ offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca.

Now, Rutgers comes to Huntington Bank Stadium for the Gophers’ Big Ten opener Saturday morning, and the upshot

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