Minnesota Preview

mvictors.com

Time: 7:30 pm EST
Location: Big House
Weather: 47 w/80% rain
TV: Fox
Stream: Fox Sports Go
Line: Michigan -15.5


Really?  Michigan is playing another trophy, night, rain game?  What in the world did Jimmy do to deserve these lucky time slots this year?  I'm sure its the Orange Bowl curse! 


When Fox got part of the Big Ten package, I thought it would be good news for the Wolverines.   In turn, the Big Ten has another primetime spot they have to fill each week and that is why Minnesota at Michigan is a night game.  So add ESPN, ABC, BTN, and now Fox that is a lot of opportunities for Michigan to show up "under the lights" each season.   Maybe Jimmy should take down the permanent lights and just bring the portable ones in for the 3:30 games.  :)


Tale of the Tape
Mich Run game vs. Minn D line= Michigan
Mich Pass game vs. Minn DB's = TBD
Mich Dline vs. Minn OLine = Michigan
Coaching = Michigan
Weather = Push
Momentum = Brandon Peters


It's pretty easy to see a well coached team that lacks talent.   Minnesota is one of those teams as PJ Fleck hasn't had enough time to turn the Golden Gopher battleship.   They play the type of football that falls right into the Wolverines wheel house.   They want to run the ball and can't pass.   Demry Croft the Golden Gophers starting QB, completed 9 out of 29 passes against Iowa last week.


Sing let's go have a beer in our own little brown jug if............

• Brandon Peters is the real deal
• Michigan is running the ball like they did last week
• The Michigan defense shuts down Minnesota
• It doesn't rain that hard
• Michigan is gaining 4+ yards on first down

Yell, I hope someone goes "The Natural" and takes out these lights if...............

• The game at all reminds you of the MSU game
• Minnesota stacks the box and the offense stalls
• Michigan is keeping Minnesota in the game with turn overs
• The rain levels the talent on the field

Michigan has seemly keep their over matched opponent in every game this year.   They have done this with terrible offense and turn overs.  The MSU loss was a terrible one, even in the swimming pool that was the Big House that night.   It looks like there is going to be more rain and probably not pleasant game conditions.  Minnesota probably should have beaten MSU the week after the Monsoon in their own night rain game. 


Minnesota is similar to MSU minus the QB play.  They will want to Row the Boat is soggy Big House.   The Penn State tape has been making the rounds and just like Rutgers tried to do, we will see similar plays that hurt the Michigan defense.   I'm expecting Don Brown has fixed all that stuff and with a non-passing threat at QB that the Michigan defense will tee off on the Golden Gophers running backs. 


The key to this game is Peters.  We saw O'Korn play great against Purdue and then lose all confidence.   Redshirt Freshman QB's will play up and down, you just hope for more up.   If he can pass for 200 yards and protect the ball, that should be enough for win.  


Minnesota will stack the box and play action should be available for the Michigan offense all night.  I would like to see a ton of throws to the tight ends and running backs.  Maybe a few deep balls to keep the defense honest.   I hope Michigan is practicing under rain machines today.


Michigan 30 Minnesota 9