Coming off of a statement win for first-year head coach Sherrone Moore over No. 13 USC, 27-24, No.12-ranked Michigan football heads into its final matchup of the opening slue of home games, hosting Minnesota for the oldest trophy in college football: The Little Brown Jug.
The Wolverines will play host to a Kalamazoo native, eighth-year Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck. Fleck has always been a compelling coach; not just in how he operates his teams but his infectious positive attitude making national headlines, dating back to his time as the head coach at Western Michigan.
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What to Know About Minnesota
In the last Battle for the Jug, the Wolverines dominated, winning 52-10. It was each team’s debut in the newly created NBC Big Ten Saturday Night slot. There was no Minneapolis Miracle in the air that night as, on the opening drive for the Gophers, then-sophomore cornerback Will Johnson intercepted a pass from Gopher quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and took it to the house for a pick-six.
This time, the Gophers see themselves turning a new page for 2024, replacing Kaliakmanis, now at Rutgers, with New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer. Brosmer had fantastic success at UNH, throwing for 3,464 yards and 34 total touchdowns to only five interceptions, making him the obvious QB1 in the Twin Cities.
It hasn’t all gone to plan for Minnesota, though. Opening the season with its annual Thursday night home game, the Gophers were defeated by North Carolina, 19-17, badly missing two field goals despite previous success from 2023 Big Ten Kicker of the Year Dragan Kesich. With those missed kicks, the two-point final margin stung.
What stings harder, though, is last week’s 31-14 loss at home to Iowa for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy. The Gophers showed they could hang with Iowa… for about two quarters. That game was good news for Michigan running backs Kalel Mullings & Donovan Edwards, as the Gophers couldn’t stop Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, who finished with 206 rushing yards and three scores.
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Let’s look at how this struggling Gophers’ offense will match up against the stout Wolverine defense:
Michigan Football Defense vs. Minnesota Offense
When you look back at successful Fleck-coached teams, there are some dynamic playmakers and future NFL pieces. Look no further than Corey Davis, Tyler Johnson, and Rashod Bateman in the NFL.
However, this team will only win this game if it runs the ball efficiently.
It’s a similar mold for every successful Fleck team: Two running backs that will hurt you with a Corum-Edwards-esque thunder & lighting style, which puts it in perspective for Wolverine fans. No, they’re definitely not doing it at a national championship level, but you get it.
This season, true sophomore and Detroit native Darius Taylor is back with Minnesota. In addition to Taylor, who dealt with injuries last year, Marcus Major (Oklahoma transfer) will share the backfield with him.
So far, Taylor has accrued more yards and touchdowns, totaling 222 and 3 respectively. Still, Major has gotten more carries with 40 to Taylor’s 35. The lightning (Taylor) averages 6.4 yards per carry and the thunder (Major) goes for 4.1.
Where Michigan succeeded so much last week, and where many think they will this week, is this exact area.
The Wolverines stopped the run nicely against USC in the first half, and well enough in the second half to beat one of the best offenses it will see all year (ESPN SP+’s No. 5 overall offense). Including the sacks that the Wolverines got on Miller Moss, Michigan held the Trojans to 96 yards rushing on 21 attempts.
Let’s turn back to the aerial attack for Minnesota. Entering the season, I was rather intrigued with Max Brosmer, but he hasn’t been what the Gophers had hoped.
Through three starts, Brosmer is 75-of-114 for 836 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Statistically, he’s performed better than either of the Wolverines’ options at quarterback. It’ll be interesting to see how Brosmer is against this defense that kept USC’s offense in check, allowing just 24 points.
This proves that the Trojan offense is one of the more well-oiled machines and consistent sides in the country and Michigan handled it enough to pull out a victory.
The Gophers’ receiving room features Daniel Jackson, a fifth-year senior with quite the resume and a chance to play on Sundays. Jackson’s career totals include 2,090 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. You will see Jackson pair up against Will Johnson so get your popcorn ready, it could be a fun WR/CB matchup.
In accordance with Jackson, Elijah Spencer & Le’Meke Brockington are the second and third options for Brosmer this season.
The offensive line for Minnesota features one of the best tackles in the country, Aireontae Ersery, who’s allowed zero sacks and two quarterback pressures in 138 passing snaps.
With Michigan’s phenomenal defensive line, headlined by PFF’s highest-rated defensive player in Josaiah Stewart, Michigan should be ready for the challenge.
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