Minnesota's matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday will mark the first time the Gophers face an SEC opponent in a regular-season game since 1959, a schedule rarity and a welcome nonconference test before Big Ten play. The national telecast on CBS will also serve as a showcase for Lindsey, their rising star quarterback.

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Mississippi State and Minnesota will play a home-and-home series that was scheduled a decade ago. The SEC requires teams to play a nonconference game against a power conference opponent, which this game fulfills for Mississippi State.

Anthony Smith, who led the Big Ten in sacks last season, is one of the key matchups for Mississippi State football against Minnesota.