Minnesota vs. Michigan: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

No. 19 Michigan has rattled off four straight wins to start the 2013 campaign, but its last two contests were mighty close.

After a 28-24 victory over Akron in Week 3, the Wolverines (4-0, 0-0 Big Ten) edged Connecticut in Week 4, 24-21. In East Hartford, Michigan allowed 206 total yards but posted only 284 total yards of its own while committing four turnovers.

Meanwhile, Saturday's opponent, Minnesota, is coming off its first loss of the season. The Golden Gophers (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten) fell to Iowa last week, 23-7. They registered just 165 total yards while allowing 464 yards of total offense against the Hawkeyes.

Here's a look at the Big Ten clash on Saturday in Ann Arbor.

*Statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com

When: Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI

Watch: ABC/ESPN2

Betting Line (via Covers.com): Michigan -19.5

Minnesota Injuries (via USA Today)

Out: N/A

Questionable: CB Derrick Wells (Shoulder), FB Mike Henry (Undisclosed), RB Berkley Edwards (Ankle), OT Ed Olson (Ankle)

Probable: N/A

Michigan Injuries (via USA Today)

Out: N/A

Questionable: DE Tom Strobel (Undisclosed), FB Wyatt Shallman (Undisclosed)

Probable: N/A

Top Storyline: What Has Happened to Michigan's Offense?

Whether you are talking about junior quarterback Devin Gardner or the offensive line, something has happened to the Michigan offense the past two games...something horrible.

Gardner has turned into a completely different player, a worse version, going a combined 27-of-53 against Akron and UConn with two touchdowns to five interceptions. And head coach Brady Hoke has noted that Gardner is making the same mistake multiples times, something he didn't do before, per Mark Snyder of USA Today Sports.

The lack of protection hasn't helped, specifically the interior of the line (center Jack Miller and guards Graham Glasgow and Kyle Kalis). Hoke said he was at least happy with the guard play against UConn, per Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News, but he didn't say anything about Miller. He also noted he would consider making changes moving forward, according to the report.

Michigan has allowed six sacks and a whopping 32 tackles for loss through four games. It's no coincidence that the team ranks near the bottom of the nation with 12 turnovers so far.

Prediction: Michigan 27, Minnesota 10 

This game will be won and lost on the ground.

Minnesota's offense is almost entirely dependent on the running game. That's why the Golden Gophers didn't have much success against Iowa, one of the top run defenses in the nation. 

Michigan is ranked 18th in the country in yards allowed per carry. The Wolverines join the Hawkeyes as the only teams in the nation that haven't allowed a rushing touchdown yet.

That's bad news for Minnesota.

Michigan is also a run-heavy offense, and the Golden Gophers rank 56th in the country in yards allowed per carry. Minnesota allowed Iowa junior Mark Weisman to scamper for 147 yards last week.

Minnesota does have five interceptions this season, so there's still a chance Gardner coughs up the ball again, but, in the end, there is too much going against the visitors.