---

In the first game for Minnesota (3-4) after Jerry Kill’s retirement, and the first game for Michigan (5-2) after the punt that will live in infamy, the two teams play for the Little Brown Jug in one of college football’s great all-time rivalries. Check out the Michigan vs. Minnesota prediction and game preview.

Michigan vs. Minnesota Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Game Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN

Network: ESPN

Follow, Contact @PeteFiutak  

Why You Need To Care

Is Michigan still in the Big Ten title chase and does it have a shot at the playoff? It would take a slew of key losses, but first, the Wolverines have to get past the pain of the Michigan State loss and win out despite playing three of their next four games on the road before dealing with Ohio State. With two weeks to sit and stew, will they come out roaring, or will they be flat? The nation’s No. 1 defense has to ramp up the intensity in what should be an emotionally charged environment.

It’s a shame Jerry Kill didn’t get one final game to coach against Michigan before having to retire, but his health issues obviously are more important. That doesn’t mean the team isn’t going to try playing at a whole other level in honor of their former coach. Tracy Claeys takes over a Gopher team that’s struggling offensively with no real ground game and too much inconsistency, but there’s still time to rally and go bowling after getting blown away by Nebraska two weeks ago. It’s not going to be easy with road games at Ohio State and Iowa to follow and Illinois and Wisconsin to deal with. The Gophers have yet to come up with a big win, but beating Michigan would be the season-saver.

Why Michigan Will Win

Will Minnesota be able to score? The Michigan defense has been tremendous against the run, swarming up front and getting all-star seasons from linebackers Desmond Morgan and Joe Bolden, failing to allow more than 100 rushing yards since the opener against Utah. Minnesota can’t win if it can’t run – it’s not going to be able to run. To go way, way, way back, the Gophers are 1-24 since 2008 – beating Michigan State in 2009 – when they didn’t get to 100 yards on the ground. Will they be able to throw? Michigan leads the nation in pass efficiency defense.

Why Minnesota Will Win

The Gophers can play a little bit of defense, too. Nebraska was able to go off, but the secondary has been terrific and the front seven has done its part against the run. This isn’t a group that gets shoved around allowing under four yards per carry. The game will be on the arm of Mitch Leidner, who struggled a bit in the 30-14 win over the Wolverines last year, but he got the victory. Coming off a 301-yard day against Nebraska, he has to get hot.

Player Who Matters

Is America ready to acknowledge that Jake Rudock is pretty good? Iowa might be unbeaten, but C.J. Beathard is hardly setting the world on fire – Rudock hasn’t been better, but he’s been good enough. The Hawkeye transfer took a beating after throwing three interceptions in the loss to Utah to start the season, and turnovers were an issue over the first three games, but he’s thrown just one pick in the last four games, and it didn’t matter. He’s not bombing away, and he’s not pushing the ball down the field, but he’s been accurate and he’s doing what the offense needs him to do. Now he has to make amends, though, after struggling with an 89-yard, one pick day in last year’s Iowa loss to the Gophers.

What’s Going To Happen?

Minnesota will play hard for Claeys, but it won’t be enough. The Michigan defense will be steady and dominant up front, and the Gophers won’t have any answers.

Michigan vs. Minnesota Prediction

Final Score: Michigan 24, Minnesota 10, Line: Michigan -13.5, o/u: 38.5

Must See Rating: 5: Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church – 1: The Peanuts Movie … 3