And they haven't exactly been the major topic of conversation when annual pre-season predictions are made.

All the Minnesota Golden Gophers do is ... win. Usually very impressively at that.

On Saturday, the No. 17 Gophers fell behind Northwestern 14-0 at Ryan Field in Evanston and played what coach Glen Mason told Brian Hanley of the Chicago Sun-Times was "The worst quarter I've ever been associated with as a coach."

Just how bad was it? Northwestern linebacker Pat Durr had an up-close look...

"They were walking up to the line of scrimmage wondering what was going on," he told Skip Myslenski of the Chicago Tribune. "We had them down."

The Gophers were more like Northwestern's go-fers during that stretch as Jason Wright scored on a 12 yard touchdown run on N.U.'s first possession, a smartly-executed drive, and quarterback Brett Basanez ran in an option with 3:45 left in the quarter.

Minnesota's Purdue-like offense had been held to 8 yards total in 8 plays in the opening quarter. There was not a whiff of a 42-17 final score in the Gophers' favor at that point.

The French, well known for cynicism, have an expression for what happened next: et apres, le deluge. And then, the downpour.

It started in most improbable fashion, with N.U. experiencing yet another positive development, when a pooch punt pinned the Gophers deep. But Minnesota Q.B. Asad Abdul-Khaliq, finally experiencing the pass protection to which he had become accustomed, confidently dropped back into the end zone, searching down field.

Jared Ellerson ran a simple out pattern toward the sideline with N.U.'s best defensive back, corner Jeff Backes, in pursuit. Abdul-Khaliq flared the pass to Ellerson, who hauled it in as Backes slipped. A possible 10-12 yard gain became ...

A 96-yard touchdown.

"Guys were pretty positive," Durr told Hanley, figuring the Gophers were still on the short end of a 14-7 score. "We were like, all right, big deal. A guy slips and falls. They made a play and luck was on their side. But up until then, they weren't doing anything on offense."

But Minnesota's confidence coming out of the huddle was a totally different story.

"The whole approach changed," Abdul-Khaliq said to the Twin Cities media. "We never doubted ourselves."

When you are 6-0 and have already won impressively at Penn State and are beginning to gain national attention, this happens.

"We got better during the course of the game," Mason said to Hanley. "It was the biggest swing I've ever been around."

It was reminiscent of Southern California's 1970 comeback against Notre Dame from a 24-6 deficit to win 55-24. It was sudden, brutal, and final.

In the middle of the period, Marion Barber brook loose in the N.U. secondary and sprinted to a 31-yard touchdown that tied it, capping a 5-play, 74-yard drive that dispirited the Wildcats (2-4). The big power back has scored a T.D. in all six Minnesota games.

"I think that second touchdown took all the air out of us," Durr said.

The Gophers began forcing Northwestern into a series of three-and-outs and within a couple of minutes of Barber's T.D., Abdul-Khaliq, working a short field after a shanked punt, hit Ben Utecht for a 6-yard touchdown and Minnesota never looked back.

"We learned our lesson," Abdul-Khaliq said. He hit Ellerson on an 82-yard bomb and the Gophers racked up all 241 of their rushing yards in the final three quarters. Ellerson only caught four passes, but with the two whoppers, he amassed 189 yards.

"I wish I had an explanation for what took place out there in the second quarter," N.U. coach Randy Walker said to Hanley. "But I don't."

That's the Golden Gophers for you. Hit and run. You can be sure Michigan's coaching staff and players will be attentive spectators this week during film sessions.

The No. 20 Wolverines (4-2), fresh off a 30-27 loss at No. 14 Iowa, come calling at the Metrodome Saturday at 7. A rare sellout is expected. Northwestern on the other hand may have a decent shot at it third victory when it travels to moribund Indiana (1-5).