Minnesota (4-4 overall, 1-4 B1G) at No. 24 Michigan (6-2 overall, 3-2 B1G)
When: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. CT – Ann Arbor, Mich.
Stadium: Michigan Stadium (109,901)
TV/Radio: FOX, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Jim Harbaugh (3rd season)
Spread: Michigan -15½ , o/u: 41
INSIDE THE GAME
Wolverines at a Glance
Minnesota and Michigan will battle for the oldest rivalry trophy in college football; the Little Brown Jug. The series is lopsided–the wrong way–but Minnesota last won the Jug in 2014 at the Big House.
Michigan leads the Big Ten and is ranked fourth in the country in total defense, allowing just 255 yards per game.
Defensive end Chase Winovich and linebacker Devin Bush are the two stars of the defensive front seven. Winovich has totaled 10.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks while Bush has 66 tackles and 5.5 sacks.
Saturday’s matchup will be just the fifth night game at Michigan Stadium.
Coach Speak
“Their front four are very, very active. And not that they’re active and undersized. These are grown men. I mean, they’re very, very talented. Big, strong athletic linebackers and the front four all play in sync, which I think that’s what stands out to me the most.” – P.J. Fleck
“I’ve always been impressed, being around him and his teams, from watching his Western Michigan teams and now his Minnesota team. The hustle is the first thing that stands out. Watching the film, you click it on and you see the hustle. Good players, tough schemes. The way they hustle to the ball, the way they go after the ball defensively really stands out. The tempo of play in all three phases, they play hard with a lot of hustle. They’re talented guys and they’re coaching them well.” – Jim Harbaugh on P.J. Fleck
STORYLINE CENTRAL
The Wolverine offense hasn’t been stellar this year. Aaron McMann at Mlive looks at how injuries and a lack of continuity have contributed to Michigan averaging just 181 passing yards per game.
A big story heading into the game is who will play quarterback for the Wolverines. Right now, Jim Harbaugh said it’s “likely” redshirt freshman Brandon Peters will get the start. Nick Baumgardner of the Detroit Free Press has the latest on the QB situation.
Predictions from opposing beat writers can be interesting. The folks at MLive predict every game in the conference this week, with both writers picking the Wolverines, 30-13 and 21-10.
Just for fun, here’s highlights from the last time the Gophers were in Ann Arbor.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can stifle quarterback Brandon Peters and the Michigan passing offense. It’s really a weakness-on-weakness matchup. The Wolverines are likely starting a new quarterback, while the Gophers secondary continues to pile up injuries week after week. If they can pull it off, it’s a recipe for Minnesota’s success in the Big House. During their last visit, the Gopher defense held Michigan to just 10/25 passing for 88 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception. The shorthanded Minnesota secondary will have their hands full, but the new quarterback gives them a chance to replicate the secondary’s 2014 success.
The Wolverines Win If…
Their defense can continue their dominance on third down. The Wolverines lead the country, allowing third down conversions at just a 23% clip. That’s bad news for a Gopher team that has converted just 7 of their last 27 attempts over the last two games. Minnesota knows the task they’re up against this weekend.
“We have to win on first and second down,” said Fleck. “Their third down defense is exceptional, and they are going to do things on third down that we haven’t seen, and we haven’t prepared for. That’s why they’re so good.”