5 October 2023
MICHIGAN vs. MINNESOTA
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
TV: NBC/Peacock
Radio: KFAN, 100.3 FM
Weather: 52 degrees, partly cloudy, 6 mph east wind
Betting spread: Michigan, -19
Records: Gophers improved to 3-2 with a 35-24 win over Louisiana on Saturday. No. 2 Michigan climbed to 5-0 with a 45-7 victory at Nebraska last weekend. The U is 1-1 in Big Ten play; Michigan is 2-0.
History: The Wolverines are 76-25-3 all-time against Minnesota, including three straight victories. The U last won the Little Brown Jug rivalry trophy in 2014 at Michigan Stadium.
Key matchup: Michigan tailbacks vs. Minnesota linebackers. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are a hefty one-two punch for anybody to handle, much less the inexperienced duo of Maverick Baranowski and Devon Williams. The U pair will need to fill gaps and tackle much better than they have this season to limit the Wolverines.
Who has the edge?
Gophers offense vs. Michigan defense: The Wolverines defense leads the nation in points allowed at 6.0 per game. They have given up a total of three touchdowns in five games. Minnesota’s offense is putting up 24.0, which checks in at 94th in the country. … Nicknamed “the mutant,” Kris Jenkins is the third-highest graded DT in the nation, per Pro Football Focus. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, he will be a handful for the U’s center and guards. … RB Zach Evans won Big Ten freshman of the week for an 85-yard performance against Louisiana. Head coach P.J. Fleck said they were hopeful RB Darius Taylor — a three-time freshman of the week honoree — can come back from his leg injury this week, but then Fleck pointed out an added week of rehab and rest is available, with the bye week next. … QB Athan Kaliakmanis has been much better since the North Carolina loss, but the redshirt sophomore will have to take it up a few notches to pull off the massive upset. … Michigan has the 113th-ranked strength schedule so far, but they have given the opposition nothing. No team in the nation has allowed fewer first downs per game. “They breed the culture into those guys,” an opposing Big Ten coach told Athlon Sports. “It’s elitist.” EDGE: Michigan
Gophers defense vs. Michigan offense: QB J.J. McCarthy is a “stud,” according to DC Joe Rossi. “He’s completing what feels like 90 percent of his passes. I don’t know if he’s thrown an incomplete pass on third down. He’s a dude.” McCarthy is completing 79 percent of passes, with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. … The Gophers pass defense has been susceptible to multiple breakdowns in coverage in the last three weeks. They can’t shoot themselves and hope to pull off an upset. … WR Roman Wilson has a stunning eight touchdowns this season, including one on the back of a Cornhuskers’ helmet last week. He is one of four players with at least 12 receptions this season. … McCarthy has also averaged 7.3 yards on 16 rushes, while Minnesota has had headaches with mobile QBs this season. … The Michigan offensive line has won two straight Joe Moore Awards, given to the best O-line in the country, and has reloaded with the help of transfers from other Power Five programs. The U’s defensive line is coming off a season-high 18 pressures against Louisiana, including five from promising freshman DE Anthony Smith. … Minnesota is plus-4 in turnover margin; Michigan is plus-1. For a legit upset bid, the U will likely need to be plus-2 on Saturday. EDGE: Michigan
Special teams: The Gophers kickoff teams are struggling. They are ranked 131 in the nation in both returns and coverage, allowing 32 yard on the rare times kicker Dragan Kesich doesn’t get a touchback and are averaging only 12 yards on their 11 returns. … Michigan’s Tyler Morris is averaging 14 yards on punt returns. EDGE: Michigan
Prediction: The Gophers have reached the pinnacle of their challenging schedule this season, with a midseason favorite to make a third straight College Football Playoff appearance. The U has not shown enough consistency to conjure belief in a massive upset. Michigan, 34-14
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