Michigan Wolverines vs. Minnesota Gophers Complete Game Preview
Michigan suffered a humbling 26-10 loss at home to Utah last week. The Wolverines offense had another power outage, with the team’s only touchdown coming from a pick-six from defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Senior quarterback Devin Gardner had accuracy problems with two interceptions, fueling conjecture that Brady Hoke may have finally seen enough of his misfiring senior quarterback.
Michigan (2-2) begins the Big Ten slate versus Minnesota (3-1) with a blank conference record and a chance to win the Little Brown Jug, the oldest trophy in major division collegiate football.
Last week’s game versus Utah was interrupted by a torrential downpour that temporarily flooded parts of the field at Michigan Stadium. It seems an apt metaphor for the state of Michigan football that is sinking fast under Hoke in his fourth season. He desperately needs a big win at home to quiet the discontent among the fanbase. The stats are in his favor, since Michigan has won the last six meetings versus Minnesota and 22 of the last 23.
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Place: Michigan Stadium (109,901), Ann Arbor, Michigan
Series vs. Minnesota: Michigan leads the series 73-24-3
Television: ABC
Radio: Michigan Sports Network, Sirius (113), XM (195)
Spread: Michigan by 9.5 via Odds Shark
Live Stats: MGoBlue.com GameTracker
Last Meeting vs. Minnesota: 2013, Michigan 42, Minnesota 13
Michigan cruised by Minnesota during last season’s Big Ten opener. The Wolverines took a 14-7 lead into halftime before pulling away with four touchdowns in the second half. It would be the last easy victory of the season.
The next week the Wolverines began a 2-6 slide that would eventually cost offensive coordinator Al Borges his job and cast lingering doubts on the state of program.
*Information according to University of Michigan Wolverine Football game notes.
Video Preview
1 of 7Highlights from last season's matchup between Michigan and Minnesota.
Michigan Keys to Victory
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Contain the Minnesota Running Attack
With starting quarterback Mitch Leidner on the bench, the Gophers are a one-dimensional team that will depend on running the ball. Michigan has been stellar so far this season in stopping the run—ranking third in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation. The Wolverines need to remain stout and smother the Gophers running attack, or this game will get ugly.
Special Teams (Count to 11)
Last week Utah ran a punt back for a touchdown while Michigan had only 10 players on the field—an embarrassing mistake for a major college football team. Hoke took the blame, but an assistant fouled up somewhere. The Wolverines’ special teams need to stop hurting the overall effort by missing short field goals or forgetting how to count to 11.
Dial up the Running Game
The running game is crucial to giving Devin Gardner (or possibly Shane Morris) the time to get the passing attack going. Gardner makes mistakes when he tries to force the ball, and it may have cost him the start versus Minnesota. Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith need to begin finishing runs—an extra yard or two can add up to shorter third downs and longer drives. The offensive line that was epically bad last season has begun to show signs of competency; now Green and Smith need to start doing their part.
Minnesota Keys to Victory
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Run the Ball
Minnesota has run the ball with authority this season, averaging 236 rushing yards per game (29th in the country). With quarterback Mitch Leidner likely out of the game, Chris Streveler (4-of-11, 37 yards) won’t be lighting up the scoreboard with his passing arm. This will be a game of attrition between the Minnesota running attack and the Michigan defense.
Make Michigan Pass
Whether Devin Gardner or Shane Morris plays quarterback, Minnesota wants to keep the Michigan offense in 3rd-and-long situations. Running backs Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith have been sure-handed, while Gardner and Morris have been careless with the ball under pressure. The more Michigan passes, the more likely Minnesota can generate some turnovers.
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Michigan Players to Watch
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Running Back Derrick Green
Green had success versus Utah in the first half but couldn't break a big run for a touchdown. Michigan needs him to run with authority and take the pressure off the quarterback position—the whole season may depend on it.
Quarterback Devin Gardner or Shane Morris
Perhaps Hoke pulls Gardner and gives the start to Morris, or maybe the coach sticks with his senior quarterback. Either way one of them needs to exhibit better ball security at quarterback for Michigan to win. If Gardner plays, he needs to stop constantly looking for the big play and take what the defense gives him.
Wide Receiver Devin Funchess
At 6'5", 230 pounds, Funchess is a physically imposing target in the passing attack, but even he could not corral Gardner’s errant passes versus Utah. He needs to be a bigger part of the offense for whoever plays quarterback. Funchess can dominate, but somebody needs to get him the ball.
Minnesota Players to Watch
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Quarterback Chris Streveler
Streveler (18 carries for 161 yards, one touchdown) took home Big Ten Freshman of the Week after his 161-yard rushing performance in a 24-7 win versus San Jose State. His rushing total of 161 yards was the third most by a quarterback in the history of Gophers football. The flip side is that he only completed a single pass for seven yards versus six attempts.
Streveler is filling in for Mitch Leidner, who missed last week’s game because of turf toe and a sprained medial collateral ligament.
Running Back David Cobb
Cobb (92 carries for 539 yards, four touchdowns) is the workhorse of the Gophers offense. The Gophers are committed to the running attack (especially with passing quarterback Leidner out), and Cobb is coach Jerry Kill’s weapon of choice.
Linebacker Damien Wilson
Michigan will need to contain Damien Wilson, who had a huge game last week (nine tackles, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery) in the Gophers’ 24-7 victory over San Jose State.
What They’re Saying
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Michigan
Michigan head coach Brady Hoke via press conference:
"The frustration level people may have, don't think those kids have the same frustration…But what they do have a great believe in each other. They have a great belief in the program. They come out and compete and challenge each other every day and this will be a good football team.
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Hoke on who will start at quarterback via press conference: "We will make a decision tomorrow."
Minnesota
Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill via TwinCities.com: "We may line up against Michigan and throw it 27 times and tear it up...we just may go crazy. I've done that everywhere I've been. Sometimes you throw it 27 times, according to what they give up."
Running back David Cobb via TwinCities.com: "We'll keep doing whatever works...If they stop the run, then we'll have to pass."
Prediction
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Michigan 27, Minnesota 20
Michigan puts together barely enough offense to win, while the defense contains the Minnesota running attack. Michigan claims the Little Brown Jug, but look for backup Shane Morris to stake his claim on the starting job at quarterback.
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