Minnesota Preview

Time: 7:30
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium
Weather: 50 Cloudy
TV: NBC/Peacock
Line: Michigan +19

I've done my best to erase all memories of the 2020 season.  Then the Minnesota game week happened this year and my first thought was, it seems we haven't played them in 5-6 years?  Then the memory came back. 

Another night game in Minnesota, first game of the season, Michigan was happy to be back playing football in a shortened COVID Big Ten only season.  Joe Milton was leading Michigan and played a good football game.  Charbonnet broke off a long run, Michigan got the win, and it was a great start to the Big 10 season.  For some reason, the rest of that season has been erased from my memory like someone used that stick thing from Men in Black.  

Let's fast forward to this season and the 3-2 Golden Gophers who might be the best team Michigan has faced this season (Rutgers would like to have a word).  Minnesota is that Big Ten team every year that has a great September and you wonder if they are really good or not.  This season that thought didn't last very long as they had a disappointing performance on the road against UNC and lost a big lead at Northwestern.  Their top RB is injured and missed last week's game.  Stop me if you have heard this sentence from one of my previews this year, this team wants to run the ball and play tough defense.  Minnesota has given up 6.2 yards per play against NW, 6.7 against the Rajin Cajuns last week, and their best running back is questionable.  

Dear Jimmy, 

Back-to-Back weeks on the road is new to your team this season.  I really enjoyed the focus and energy your team brought to Lincon last weekend.  It was the most complete game the Wolverines have played all year and we look forward to that same intensity this weekend.  

All your good to great teams have been a reflection of yourself and we know you and Bo prefer to play college football at Noon or (1:00).  One of Bo's famous quotes was: “We used to tell the TV stations that we’re going to tee the ball up at one o’clock. If you want to come down and take your little pictures, feel free.”  On Saturday, you need to be very careful of a night game let down.  This team's and JJ's worst performance by far was a night game against Bowling Green, your last loss was a night game.  I think you get my point.   With this new TV deal your team is going to find itself on Primetime a ton, weekly prep and a very long game day is something you may want to make some changes on.  

You know you always get an opponent's best effort when the Maize and Blue comes to town.  When the oldest trophy in college football is at stake, that effort and energy rachets up a level.  Minnesota is going to struggle to find 3+ wins remaining on their schedule to make a bowl game.  This is their Super Bowl, Rose Bowl, College Football Playoffs all in one and they get to play it at home.   I watched PJ throw away a winnable game against UNC because they were vanilla as vanilla can be on offense.   I don't know if they have it in them to run fake punts, go for 4th downs, and run trick plays but you better expect it.  As they will need to throw the kitchen sink at your squad and hope JJ Bowling Green's himself again.  

There is no doubt which is the better team and this game and trip is about the focus of the Wolverines.  I thought Michigan needed a road game to up the focus and you proved me right last weekend.  Being on the road 2 weeks in a row and playing at night, is another challenge.  I know I tell you every if you stop the run, you win the game, this week is no exception.  I'm sure PJ and his staff know that and will try to beat your defense by throwing over the top like Rutgers and Nebraska tried to do.  Let's be prepared for that and not always blitz a CB or Safety. Bottom line, if you get strong QB play from JJ, a great running effort from the Dynamic Duo, dominating line play from both sides of the ball, no penalties, and no turnovers.  Your team will have a great flight home with the "Little Brown Jug".

Michigan 38 Minnesota 13