MINNESOTA at No. 12 MICHIGAN

When: 11 a.m. CT Saturday
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
TV: FOX
Radio: KFXN-FM, 100.3
Weather: 67 degrees, cloudy, 9 mph east wind
Betting spread: Michigan minus-10

Records: Minnesota (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) is 0-2 against Power Four opponents with 31-14 loss to Iowa last Saturday. After a 31-12 loss to current No. 1 Texas in Week 2, Michigan (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) rushed for the winning touchdown in the final minute to beat No. 13 USC 27-24 in the Big Ten opener last Saturday.

History: This is the 99th Little Brown Jug game, with Michigan holding a 72-23-3 lead in the all-time series. Minnesota hasn’t won the jug in four attempts since 2014.

Big questions: How do Gophers respond to second-half letdown in rivarly loss to Iowa? Few think Minnesota can hang with the defending national champs, but do players believe? and will head coach P.J. Fleck take the risks necessary to pull off an upset?

Key matchup: Gophers rush defense vs. Michigan run game. Minnesota allowed 272 yards and four touchdowns to Hawkeyes last week, while Michigan gained 290 with three scores against USC last week. It’s struggling vs. surging.

Who has the edge?

Gophers offense vs. Michigan defense: The Wolverines defensive line has four potential high NFL Draft picks across its four-man front: tackles Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant and ends Derrick Moore, Josiah Stewart. Their elite level is a major concern for the scuffling U offensive line and its almost nonexistent run game. Minnesota is uncharacteristically 108th in nation, putting up 117 yards per game. They declined to run the ball much against Iowa and could do so again vs. Michigan, which is 11th in country, allowing 76 yards per game. The Wolverines, however, have given up at least 222 passing yards and one score in each of its four games, including against Fresno State and Arkansas State. This aligns with the U’s strength. … QB Max Brosmer is completing 65 percent of passes this season, but his interception against Iowa led to a Hawkeyes touchdown in the first half. For Minnesota to pull off an upset, they will need to build on its plus-four turnover margin this season. Michigan, meanwhile, is minus-four. EDGE: Michigan

Gophers defense vs. Michigan offense: The Gophers’ tackling issues returned Saturday, with 12 misses, according to defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman. After having 22 missed tackles against North Carolina, Minnesota had cut that down to single digits against Rhode Island and Nevada in recent weeks. But level of competition matters. … Minnesota’s rush defense was last in Big Ten games a year ago, and they didn’t engender confidence an improvement is coming in opener against Iowa. Michigan had 46 rushes and only 12 pass attempts against USC. New QB Alex Orgi threw for 32 yards, while the 5-foot-3, 235-pound athlete rushed for 43. … … RB Kalel Minnings is averaging 8.1 yards per carry and has forced 17 tackles missed this year. …SAF Darius Green did not play like a veteran against the Hawkeyes, and that hurt a position group needing him to step up with Tyler Nubin in the NFL and Aidan Gousby injured. Senior CB Justin Walley should be able to comeback after missing the first game of his career last week. … DE Jah Joyner set a goal of double digit sacks and has only 1/2 sack and eight pressures through four games. EDGE: Michigan

Special teams: Freshman Koi Perich added kick return duties last week, on top of punts, and had four returns for 80 yards. … Michigan K Dominic Zvada is a perfect 5 for 5 on field goals this season, but hasn’t had a FG in the last two games. Minnesota K Dragan Kesich is 5 for 9 and didn’t have a boot last week. EDGE: Michigan

Prediction: All signs point to another Michigan romp and the disparity in the running game is the biggest reason why. It’s odd to see the betting spread so low. The Wolverines have won by an average of 44-14 in three games over P.J. Fleck’s three games at the U. This won’t be much better. Michigan, 33-13

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