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When: 8 p.m. Thursday Where: Huntington Bank Stadium TV: Big Ten Network Radio: KFAN, 100.3 FM Weather: 82 degrees, clear skies, 7 mph north wind Betting favorite: Minnesota, -36.5

Records: This is the Gophers’ season opener. New Mexico State is 0-1 after a 23-12 loss to Nevada in Week Zero in Las Cruces, N.M. on Saturday.

History: Minnesota is 2-1 all time vs. New Mexico State. In Jerry Kill’s first home game for the Gophers in 2011, the U lost 28-21 and the former head coach suffered a seizure on the sideline in the fourth quarter. In 2013, Kill’s Gophers won 44-21 on the road. In 2018, current head coach P.J. Fleck won 48-10 in the season opener in Minnesota.

Key matchup: Fleck vs. Kill. Fleck’s team is a heavy favorite, so if the score gets way out of hand, will it be looked at as an unintentional byproduct of the gulf between the programs or as an attempt to run up the score on Kill? Kill has been very critical of Fleck over the years; Fleck has taken the high road and is expected to be conscientious to the score. Kill said he didn’t know if he would shake Fleck’s hand at the game, and Fleck responded he always attempts to meet the opposing coach and that Thursday will be no different.

Gophers offense vs. New Mexico State defense: Minnesota welcomes back the majority of its top skill-position players, including QB Tanner Morgan, WR Chris Autman-Bell and RB Mo Ibrahim. The Aggies return seven defensive starters including top linebacker Chris Ojoh, who had seven tackles against Nevada. …The U has 70 percent returning production from 2021, which ranked 50th in the nation, per ESPN. The Gophers’ departures primarily are two running backs (Mar’Keise Irving and Ky Thomas) leaving via the NCAA transfer portal. They played when Ibrahim and Trey Potts were injured during the first month of last season; Ibrahim and Potts are now fully healthy. That duo should feast on a NMSU defense that allowed Wolf Pack tailbacks to go over 200 yards with two touchdowns last week. … Tight end Ko Kieft is off the NFL, but 6-foot-7 replacement Brevyn Spann-Ford is expected to have a big season. The matchup problems he can create will be on display in opener. … If the Gophers had to pick only one starter to return from last year’s vastly experienced offensive line, it would have to John Michael Schmitz, an All-America candidate and Rimington Award contender. Fleck projects left tackle Aireonte Ersery as the best offensive line prospect he’s ever coached; right tackle Daniel Faalele just went in the fourth round of NFL draft last spring. This year, right tackle might be a rotation between three players, including Edina native and Notre Dame transfer Quinn Carroll. Thursday will be a great opportunity for the offensive line to gel against a small defensive front. … U receiver Daniel Jackson (ankle) is the only known injury from fall camp. EDGE: Gophers

Gophers defense vs. New Mexico State offense: The Gophers defense ranked in the Top 10 in a handful of categories last season, including total defense (279 yards per game). Now with five new starters, this soft opener will be a good opportunity to work out kinks with the newer pieces. … New Mexico State suffered five turnovers against Nevada. If the Aggies have that many giveaways Thursday, the expected blowout could become downright embarrassing for the struggling independent program. Minnesota was only plus-3 in turnover margin last season and worked on ball skills in the offseason to garner more interceptions this fall. Aggies QB Diego Pavia had four turnovers (three INTs, one fumble) before Gavin Brakes replaced him (one touchdown and one INT). The Gophers secondary is its best position group and S Tyler Nubin was a standout ball hawk in open portions of fall camp. … The Gophers need Thomas Rush to step up with Boye Mafe off to the NFL; this is his chance to test pass-rush moves he’s been working on in the offseason. NM State allowed only one sack last Saturday. … The U’s weak-side linebacker spot next to Mariano Sori-Marin appears to be coming down to Braelen Oliver and Cody Lindenberg. … The Gophers believe they can rotate 10 or 11 defensive linemen without losing too much size and skill. DT Kyler Baugh, a transfer from Houston Baptist, slotted next to incumbent starter Trill Carter with the first team during camp. Logan Richter (ankle) is the only known injury on D. EDGE: Gophers

Special teams: The Gophers return their entire place-kicking battery — kicker Matthew Trickett, holder/punter Mark Crawford and long snapper Brady Weeks. The U made 65 percent of field goals last season (104th in nation) and need to be better with that. Crawford averaged 41.7 yards per punt (89th). PR Quentin Redding is likely to make his debut. EDGE: Gophers 

Prediction: The Gophers will be able to win easily, play backups and keep the finer points within the playbook under lock and key. Will they be able to stay healthy, too? Gophers, 40-9

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