Michigan Wolverines (2-7, 1-4) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-2, 3-2)

Saturday, Nov. 8 noon at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Line: Minnesota -7.5

For a long time, as long as I can remember, Michigan has had just three rivalries. Ohio State, Michigan State and Notre Dame.

It wasn't until high school that I was first introduced to the Little Brown Jug and it was even longer till I learned what it was all about.

Come to find out, Minnesota and Michigan use to be fierce, bitter rivals back in the day and the Little Brown Jug is the oldest trophy handed out in college football history.

But this hasn't been much of a rivalry in quite some time. The Wolverines hold a 69-24-3 record against the Golden Gophers including wins in 35 of the last 38 matches, in fact Michigan has won 51 of the last 63.

Minnesota recently broke a 16 year losing streak against Michigan in 2005 but Michigan was quick to regain the Little Brown Jug in '06 and dominated in '07.

The Wolverines are 31-12-2 at Minnesota and 11-0 at the Metrodome. Minnesota hasn't won a home game against Michigan since 1977 and are since 0-13.

So yeah, not much of a rivalry if you ask me. But this being the 96th meeting between the two and the 90th where the Little Brown Jug was at stake I guess it's a little important.

Tim Brewster, in his second season at Minnesota, is trying to pull a Dantonio by putting more emphasis on this game. This week Brewster placed an empty trophy case in the players locker room that'll hold the Little Brown Jug if Minnesota wins it back.

Once again it's that same old adage I've been clinging to all year. Minnesota is due to get a win against Michigan just like a lot of teams are and this is the best year to do so.

On to the matchups.

Michigan Pass Offense vs. Minnesota Pass Defense

As if things couldn't get possibly worse it just did this week with the news that Steven Threet suffered a concussion near the end of the Purdue game and is more than likely out for this game.

You know what that means Wolverines fans. Yup, you guessed it.

Nick "Human White Flag" Sheridan will be your starting quarterback this week.

My only hope is that after Rich Rodriguez burned Justin Feagin's redshirt on a special teams play last week, we'll see a little of him at QB.

Anything would be better than letting "Human White Flag" play for an extended period of time in this game. Even putting David Cone in would give me relief.

Does anyone want to put an over/under on how many panic balls Sheridan throws up into the air?

Minnesota isn't too spectacular in pass defense ranking 82nd and giving up 230 yards per game.

Traye Simmons leads the team with four picks including one for a touchdown and the team has 14 total interceptions.

Check out this name. Willie VanDeSteeg, yeah, leads the team with 7.5 sacks on a team with 24 for the season that is sure to tee off against Sheridan.

Advantage: Minnesota

Michigan Run Offense vs. Minnesota Run Defense

Brandon Minor has been great lately but before I pronounce him and the running game as the best unit on the team I want to see them put it together for two consecutive games.

Against Penn State, Minor had a stellar day. But against MSU he disappeared only to bounce back in the Purdue game with another great day.

Minor is averaging 5.5 yards per rush and has eight touchdowns as the run blocking has improved steadily as the season has progressed. That was expected with Rodriguez though who has featured magnificent rushing attacks over his career.

Minnesota is pretty good stopping the run this season ranking 53rd giving up 132.4 yards per game.

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