Consecutive eight-win seasons, a program first since 2002-03, has given the Gophers football program respect within the Big Ten.
But an upset victory over No. 2 Texas Christian, a game on national TV during college football's opening night Thursday, would cast Minnesota under a bright national spotlight.
Gerry DiNardo, a Big Ten Network commentator, said people within the Big Ten "footprint" from New York to Nebraska already understand the reclamation project coach Jerry Kill has done at Minnesota.
"I think people outside the footprint have no idea," DiNardo said. "If they beat TCU, someone outside of the footprint might ask, 'How good have they been?