(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
CORVALLIS — The first thing that Gary Andersen can recall about his last trip to Minnesota? It was the coldest he's ever been on a sideline.
But the Oregon State coach's knowledge of the Beavers' first opponent goes much deeper, as he faced the Golden Gophers as the coach of Wisconsin in 2013 and 2014. With nonconference games, even between Power 5 foes, often serving as matchups between players and staffs that are largely unfamiliar with each other, Andersen knowing what to expect from the Golden Gophers could be a luxury as OSU prepares for Thursday's opener in Minneapolis.