Preview Minnesota

Time: 7:30 EST 

Location: Minneapolis, MN

Weather: Cold, 20 with light snow

TV: ABC

Line: Michigan -3

Can't believe we are close to watching Michigan Football again.  I didn't expect it to happen in 2020 after New Years Day.  There have been 3 Michigan schedules this season, the trip to Washington is only trumped by a trip to Twin Cities to start the season.   I can't stand opening day road games (I need a support group for this aliment) and the only way to make it worse is to have a primetime kickoff.   The Big Ten Bingo again gives OSU a cake wake at home and sends Michigan into the frozen tundra against a ranked Gophers team that was 11-2 last season.   Let me say that again, the Golden Gophers were 11-2 last year.  

Why Minnesota?

We really don't know shi*t about either team.  We know Minnesota was pretty good last year and beat Auburn in a Florida Bowl game.   We know the Gophers have an accurate QB in Tanner Morgan and an NFL WR in Rashod "Jason" Bateman, who opted back in after heading for the NFL when the season got cancelled.   The Gophers secondary is anchored by former Wolverine Ben St-Juste, who left Ann Arbor under strange circumstances and has been playing well for the Gophers.  

We know Minnesota lost a ton on defense and also could be suffering some COVID loses to the roster but at this point we don't know who and if they're starters or not.  Their giant offensive lineman (that Michigan recruited for a minute) Faalele is rumored to have opted out.   I'm guessing someone would have noticed if a 6'9 400 pound man was practicing.  

The Gophers want to run the ball but their best shot to beat the Wolverines is to light up the inexperienced secondary, as I'm sure Don Brown has a LB covering Bateman.    They will also have to take advantage of some Michigan offensive turnovers.   They probably lose a bit of the home field advantage in an empty stadium but it is still a night road game for the Wolverines.  

Key match-up: Bateman taking Don Brown to the Ozarks.  

Michigan 

Lets be real, we love the hype about the offense but I'm not buying it.   Michigan never looks good week one and even worse with a new QB.  Yes, I hope Joe has Brady's accuracy, Denard's speed, and Cam Newton's body/athleticism but we know he will be nervous and make mistakes when the game speeds up.   Speed in space isn't great in cold weather and Michigan will try to protect their young QB with a ton of quality RB's and a good Oline.   If Michigan can run the ball for first downs, they will let Joe throw a few deep balls.   Move the damn game to whatever is the Metro Dome now.  

This game will be ugly on both sides and Michigan has to win this game on defense.   Hutch and Paye needs to pressure Tan Morgan all night and hope he doesn't have time to find his WR's down field.  Stopping the run in the Big Ten is always an important strategy and really shouldn't even be mentioned.    I expect Dax to see a ton of Bateman, as Michigan CB's still are brand new to Big Ten football.  

Key match-up:  Michigan DE's not against Andre The Giant 

Well, we're waiting...............

Did I mention that I don't love opening the season on the road at night?  Michigan hasn't lost in Minnesota since 1977 and even Nick Sheridan (IU's OC) won a game there.   This is personal for PJ as he made a name for himself in Kalamazoo and would love to dust off the case for the Little Brown Jug.  I do like that Michigan has been practicing non-stop for 3 months and should be as ready as any Michigan team has been under Jimmy in 6 years opening day.   Michigan did play better in the second half against PSU on the road last season and maybe Jimmy figured something out.  I don't believe in moral victories, but Alabama seems to be wrecking teams this year and Michigan was ahead at the half in the Citrus.      

There is a lot of mystery around Minnesota and players not being available, so much that the Vegas line went from Michigan getting +2 to a -3 favorite.    Many people in the media think Minnesota is the 3rd best team in the Big Ten behind OSU and PSU.   I think the jury is still out on that and my biggest concern is the Wolverine secondary.  If Tan Man Morgan has time to pick apart Michigan's secondary, I won't have a good nights sleep.   I do think Michigan will have the talent advantage and both lines could dominate.  The Gophers might feel like Chris Evans has been killing them out of the backfield for like 10 years.  

Michigan 24 Minnesota 20

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2020/10/preview-minnesota.html