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    • Michigan Football vs. Minnesota Predictions
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    Michigan Football vs. Minnesota Predictions

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

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    Michigan football has one more home game left before heading west for the second leg of the College Football Playoff, and it’s one with its own dose of history as the Wolverines will host Minnesota in the semi-annual Little Brown Jug game. The Wolverines haven’t lost to the Golden Gophers in a decade, although that includes just four games since then. But Minnesota has only two wins in its last 28 games against Michigan (2005, 2014).

    Will Michigan continue its dominance? Five Free Press sportswriters offer their thoughts on Saturday’s game (Noon, Fox).

    SCOUTING THE MATCH: Michigan Football Prediction, Scouting Report vs. Minnesota in Little Brown Jug Battle

    Tony Garcia

    The Wolverines have often knocked off mid-major Big Ten teams like Minnesota in recent years, but without a solid passing game, it’s hard to see them pulling away unless it happens late. The Gophers have the better passing game and UM was prone to giving up yards when the opponent’s QB gets the ball out quickly. But if Minnesota doesn’t end up establishing its own running game, the Wolverines’ front four of Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and Derrick Moore could enjoy a one-dimensional offense. Michigan will try to wear down Minnesota the same way Iowa did a week ago. The choice: AT 20, Minnesota 12.

    Carlos Monarrez

    Expect another great performance from Kalel Mullings as Michigan copies Iowa’s ground-and-pound strategy last week to wear down Minnesota later in the game. I don’t know if the Wolverines will rush for nearly 300 yards again, but if Alex Orji only manages 32 yards like he did against USC, they might have to. The choice: AT 26, Minnesota 12.

    Rainer Sabin

    Under the command of their new starting quarterback Alex Orji, the Wolverines changed the course of their season with a hard-fought win over USC last Saturday. Orji threw for just 32 yards and Michigan ran the ball on 46 of its 58 offensive plays while Kalel Mullings became the main engine of UM’s robust rushing attack.

    Expect the Wolverines to stay on the ground and try to beat Minnesota at its own game in what should be an old-fashioned Big Ten rock battle. For most of PJ Fleck’s tenure, the Gophers ran the ball more than 60% of the time. So don’t expect much passing from either team before Michigan secures its victory in this battle of wills. The choice: AT 20, Minnesota 13.

    Jeff Seidel

    The Wolverines survived against USC and will survive against Minnesota. But don’t be surprised if this value is almost half. Minnesota had a 14-7 lead over Iowa before a second-half collapse. But Michigan shouldn’t have any problems running against Minnesota, a team that gave up 272 yards against Iowa. The choice: AT 24, Minnesota 13.

    Shawn Windsor

    The Wolverines could be left in the lurch after beating USC. They won’t. They have no room for error on offense. The Gophers have already lost to Iowa and North Carolina. This game will be close for a while, but the running game makes the difference again in the second half. The choice: AT 26, Minnesota 13.

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    Caradoc Wyn
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