Minnesota (3-1 overall, 0-0 Big Ten) at Michigan (2-2 overall, 0-0 Big Ten)
Ann Arbor, Michigan – Michigan Stadium (109,901)
Saturday 2:30 p.m. CT – ABC
The Gophers enter Saturday’s game with a 3-1 non-conference record and the confidence that they can top a reeling Michigan squad playing at home. Traveling to the Big House is never easy, but Minnesota knows that a win over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor would be a huge step forward for Jerry Kill and the Maroon and Gold.
Series History
Michigan has been dominant in the all-time series with a record of 73-24-3 overall and 69-22-3 when the Little Brown Jug is on the line. The Wolverines have won the last six meetings between the two teams. The good news for the Gophers is that Minnesota’s last victory over the Maize and Blue, which came in 2005, happened on the road. Led by Laurence Maroney’s 129 rushing yards, Minnesota was tied heading into the fourth quarter and was able to convert a 30-yard field goal by Jason Giannini to seal the victory and secure the Jug.
Playing for the Jug
In a tradition that started back in 1909, making it the oldest trophy game in FBS, playing for the Little Brown Jug makes for one of the biggest games on Minnesota’s schedule each year.
“College football is a great game,” said Jerry Kill when asked about the rivalry. “This is a tremendous tradition. You’re going to the Big House. It’s the first Big Ten game. You’re playing for the Little Brown Jug. I mean, that’s what college football is about.”
Kill understands that, for his players, being a part of this game will be a memorable experience.
“I think for our kids, anybody that participates in something like that, you get a unique experience,” said Kill. “I think it’s great for our kids. It’s great for our state. It’s great for college football.”
While the Gopher veterans have been a part of the rivalry before, the youngsters making the trip may have to catch their breath when the moment arrives.
“Those young freshmen, all the ones we’re playing, certainly when you recruit them you talk about it, but still they really don’t understand completely because they’re young,” said Kill. “We make sure we do that. They won’t realize anything until they walk out on the field, then those freshmen will go, Okay, this is a big deal here. But we’ll educate ’em.”
Last Meeting
In 2013, the teams met in a similar fashion, in their first conference game of the year in Ann Arbor. A big difference this season will be that the Gophers will have their head coach and leader on the sidelines as last year, Kill was unable to make the trip due to health complications.
Despite the absence of Kill, Minnesota took the field and started strong behind Mitch Leidner who, after one failed drive, marched the Gophers 75 yards over 9:44 for the touchdown to tie the game at seven. Unfortunately for Minnesota, not much went right after the point as Michigan went on to outscore the Gophers 35-6. Tight end Devin Funchess led the way with seven receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown.
Season to Date
Michigan enters the Saturday’s contest with a 2-2 record. The season has been a disappointment so far. Michigan’s two wins came against far inferior opponents Appalachian St. and Miami (Ohio). Both losses have been embarrassing. The Wolverines were shutout by rival Notre Dame, 31-0, which ended a streak of 365 games without being blanked. Last week’s game may have been even more troubling, losing at the Big House to Utah, 26-10. A disturbing stat from the losses: Michigan failed to score an offensive touchdown and failed to reach the red zone in both games.
Coaching Preview
Once seen as the “Michigan Man” who would lead the storied program back to the pinnacle of college football, fourth-year head coach Brady Hoke now finds himself fighting for his job. During his first season in Ann Arbor, Hoke led the Wolverines to an 11-2 record (6-2 Big Ten) and an Allstate Sugar Bowl victory. Michigan has gone downhill since. Records of 8-5 and 7-6 the last two years, coupled with a 2-2 start this season have the Michigan-faithful wondering if Hoke is the answer for the Maize and Blue.
Quarterback Decisions
The 2-2 Wolverines have struggled throughout the early season with their quarterback play. In last week’s loss to Utah, Michigan signal-callers Devin Gardner and Shane Morris completed 18-of-39 passes for just 190 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions. The decision on who will play is expected to come later this week.
“As far as that goes, we’ve got some ideas of what we want to do but we’re still going to evaluate it,” said Hoke on Tuesday. “We’ve got to compete and challenge like everyone…At this time, we’re still going to have both guys take the reps. We feel good about both guys.”
Matchup to Watch
With Minnesota accounting for less than 100 passing yards per game, the Gophers will need to establish a passing game to open up space for the run.
“Again, in that preparation, so forth, we’re going to have to do a good job of throwing it, keeping them off balance and more than we have, like TCU, but you have to do it and do it well and execute it,” said Kill.
Whoever lines up at quarterback for the Gophers will be facing a defense that has allowed just 261 yards of offense per game, first in the conference.
“Michigan hasn’t changed,” said Kill. “Number one defense in the Big Ten, one of the top in the country. Defensive they’re better than they were a year ago by far.”
The Gophers know that they won’t turn into a high-powered passing team overnight, but in order to compete at Michigan, they will need to be efficient when throwing the ball.
“When we do throw the football, we’ve got to get better,” said Matt Limegrover. “I’m not going to say we need to throw it more. But when we do, we need to make sure that it’s spot on.”
Players to Watch
No. 27 Derrick Green – At 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds, Green fits the mold of a traditional Michigan running back. The sophomore bruiser from Virginia ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 25th in the nation with 391 rushing yards. Green opened the 2014 season with a career game, rushing for 170 yards and one touchdown on just 15 carries. The talented runner will pose a tough test for a Minnesota defense that hasn’t faced a back of Green’s caliber yet this season.
No. 47 Jake Ryan – The 6-foot-3, 236-pound middle linebacker is the leader of the Wolverine defense. Ryan, who has started 33 games at Michigan, has notched 188 tackles, 35.5 TFLs, and 8.5 sacks during is career. The senior has fully recovered this year from an ACL tear that ended his season in 2013. Last game against Utah, Ryan had a career high in tackles with 13 including three TFLs.
Background
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Enrollment: 41,942
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Wolverines
Colors: Maize and Blue
Coach: Brady Hoke (4th Season)