Michigan Football: 4 Not-So-Bold Predictions for the Minnesota Game

As the Michigan Wolverines sit at 19th overall in the latest college football rankings, the question is: how long will they remain there?

How long can they keep the undefeated season going?

Michigan will take on Minnesota this Saturday in what will be the final game of their season-opening five-game home stand. If Michigan wins this game, they will move to 5-0 and within one win of bowl eligibility.

Michigan (depending who you ask) is a 20-point favorite this weekend against Minnesota, and for good reason.

Minnesota just hasn't been able to get wins when they need them, losing to teams such as New Mexico State and FCS team North Dakota State last week.

Michigan, meanwhile is in territory unfamiliar to Wolverine fans at least over the past few seasons. What I mean by that, is that they currently sit 11th overall in the NCAA in scoring defense, giving up just 12.8 points a game.

What can we expect to see in this game?

Here are some bold (and not-so-bold) predictions for Saturday's battle for the Little Brown Jug.

1. Denard Robinson Throws for 150 Yards and Rushes for 250 More

Michigan's offense starts with Denard Robinson. Any questions? Didn't think so.

Minnesota has a big problem: they're giving up 26.8 points per game, and they have only played one Top 25 team.

They have also not played against "Shoelace."

Making a defensive game plan to stop Denard Robinson can give any defensive coordinator headaches, but this headache will be over after the first quarter. Matching up Denard Robinson against the Minnesota defense (or lack there of) is going to make Minnesota look like a MAC defense, similar to Eastern Michigan or Western Michigan.

Look for Denard not to just excel against this defense, but for the defense to be shredded at the end of the game. If Robinson and Michigan's offense don't put up 42 points against Minnesota, it will be a disappointing performance in my opinion.

We already know that Robinson can run, that much is for certain, but passing over 150 yards and over 50 percent would be a good start to getting his passing game back on track.

2. Michigan's Defense Scores Again

Michigan's defense scored two touchdowns against Western Michigan, but have been held off the scoreboard since then.

Given, the overall defense has improved, but it would be so satisfying to see Michigan's defense score again against Minnesota this weekend.

Minnesota's offense isn't terrible overall, as they averaged about 350 yards per game over their first four games, but they don't convert often enough to put up points, averaging only 22.8 points per game.

If they get in a two-touchdown deficit or more they will have to start throwing the ball around the field, and Michigan has shown that they are somewhat improved in pass defense compared to last year.

The potential for turnovers will be high if Minnesota finds itself down a few scores.

Michigan has forced quite a few turnovers in the first four games—13 to be exact, two returned for scores.

A defensive touchdown in this game is not out of the question.

3. Michigan Makes All of Its Field Goals

Hey, a guy can dream can't he?

Michigan is 1-2 on the season kicking field goals. Brandon Gibbons made a 21-yard field goal, and missed a 40-yard field goal. Oh well, 50 percent is a better percentage than last year's 28 percent.

It'd be nice to see Michigan make all their field goals for once.

Bold prediction of the day: Brandon Gibbons goes 2-2 on field goals and makes all of his extra points.

4. Michigan's Defense Gives Up 200 Yards of Offense to the Gophers

Remember the Wolverines' abysmal season of 2008? A record of 3-9, the worst in program history?

Well, one of Michigan's three wins came over Minnesota, and boy was it a quality win.

Michigan handed Minnesota a 29-6 smackdown, holding the Gophers to eight first downs and only 188 yards of total offense.

If the 2008 squad could do that, I don't put it past this team to shut Minnesota's offense down.

Upon reading this slide you probably thought I was crazy for making this prediction, but if the 3-9 Wolverines could hold Minnesota to barely anything offensively, I have no trouble believing that a much better Michigan team in this year's squad could do the same thing to a much worse Gophers team.

How It Will Go Down

I've been holding off on making my prediction on this game all week, but I'm calling it right now: Michigan 48, Minnesota 3.

Denard Robinson will once again show why he is in the Heisman conversation, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for three more.

Minnesota just doesn't have enough to keep up with Michigan.

If Michigan finds a way to score in the first quarter (which they have yet to do up until last game against San Diego State), then this game could be over by the end of the first half.

In some games, the Wolverines could care less how much they run up the score, but this is a rivalry game and you better believe every player in that Michigan locker room will come out ready to send the Golden Gophers back to the state of 10,000 lakes with another loss.