Michigan heads to Minnesota in another (nearly) annual battle for the Little Brown Jug. After finishing with an amazingly perfect record playing in the Metrodome, Michigan
takes its first crack in the new TCF Bank stadium.
Normally, even with Denard possibly out, beating Minnesota wouldn’t be all that difficult. But given that Michigan has been held to a pedestrian 21 points total the past two weeks (via. FG no less) nothing is a given, especially after Minnesota was running roughshod over Purdue last weekend.
We’re not even certain the folks inside the usually impenetrable Fort Schembechler know whether Denard will play (although I have a suspicion he will). Hoke told us Devin Gardner took a good deal of snaps this week at QB, and I suspect that even if Denard goes, that he will get some meaningful snaps.
We’ve been waiting 2/3 of the season for Fitz Touissant to have a breakthrough game. Will this be the week? My thought is he will, as will Thomas Rawls, who many have been clamoring to see more action. Much of this will be due to a greater push by a somewhat disappointing performance to date by a veteran, yet relatively inexperienced offensive line.
Michigan should win this game, if nothing else based on its defense. Even with an offense struggling to move the ball a yard, the Michigan defense played quite admirably last week against a stellar Nebraska offense. While Philip Nelson, a true freshman QB looked good against Purdue last weekend, he hasn’t had Greg Mattison calling plays against him yet. Huge advantage Michigan.
Michigan 27, Minnesota 13
Editor’s Note: Our Recruiting Analyst, Sean O’Connell, will be there in person to cheer on the Wolverines. Go Blue!
