Fresh off a 27-24 win over USC, No. 12 Michigan seeks its third straight victory this weekend when it hosts Minnesota in the Big House on Saturday (Noon ET/FOX). The Wolverines (3-1 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) are a 10-point favorite over the Golden Gophers (2-2, 0-1).

One of the oldest and most played rivalry games in all of college football, the Wolverines and the Golden Gophers meet for the 106th time, with the last 98 having been played for “the Little Brown Jug.” Michigan dominated the series with a 77-25-3 all-time record against Minnesota, including four straight wins for the Wolverines. The Golden Gophers’ last win in this series came in 2014, a 30-14 decision in Ann Arbor.

Minnesota enters this game coming off a 31-14 loss to Iowa last weekend. The Golden Gophers also fell to the only other “Power 4” opponent they faced this season, a 19-17 loss to North Carolina in their season opener. The Gophers’ two wins have come against Rhode Island (48-0) and Nevada (27-0). It’s been a rough start offensively for head coach PJ Fleck’s team, which ranks 104th in total offense (335 ypg) and T-95 in yards per play (5.51).

Michigan’s offense hasn’t fared much better, as the Wolverines rank 109th in total offense (327 ypg) and 94th in yards per play (5.53). It won’t be easy for UM’s offense to right the ship against the Gophers. Minnesota features the No. 8 defense in yards allowed per game (223.2), ranks 13th in the nation in yards allowed per game (3.99) and No. 2 in passing yards allowed per game. However, Michigan’s offense matches the weaker aspect of Minnesota’s defense. The Wolverines are averaging 204.8 rushing yards per game (31st) and 5.57 yards per carry (T-33rd), while the Gophers rank 56th in average rush yards allowed (123.8) and 62nd in yards allowed per carry (3.81).

Below, Michigan Wolverines on SI editor Chris Breiler, senior writer Trent Knoop and contributing writer Matt Lounsberry share their thoughts on the game with Two bold predictions, Game examplesAnd Final score predictions.

1. Michigan will throw for less than 100 yards again

I’m not sure this can be considered a “bold” prediction given what we saw last weekend, but I don’t believe Michigan will pass by more than 100 yards on Saturday. The biggest deciding factor here is Colston Loveland’s health and whether or not he will be available on Saturday, but it’s clear the Wolverines will run the ball until someone proves they can stop them. Additionally, the Michigan offense ranks last in the Big Ten in passing offense, while the Golden Gophers currently have the No. 2 pass defense nationally (allowing just 99.5 YPG).

2. Michigan’s defense finishes with 4 sacks again

While it wasn’t a perfect performance, Michigan’s defense showed flashes of dominance against USC last Saturday. As a result of Michigan’s relentless attack, Trojan QB Miller Moss spent much of the afternoon on his back. The Wolverines finished the afternoon with 4.0 sacks, 7.0 QB hits, 27 QB pressures and a pass-rush grade of 91.2. In order for Michigan to continue to successfully move forward, the Wolverines will need that kind of effort from the defense every Saturday during conference play.

1. Alex Orji throws 150 yards

What a bold prediction! But let’s be honest, that’s where we are now. Michigan has thrown over 150 once this season and that’s because the Wolverines fell behind Texas early and had to throw the football. Alex Orji is coming off a 32-yard performance against USC and that should improve. Like literally: it has to be better than 32 meters. 150 yards isn’t a lot in today’s college football and Sherrone Moore said he’d like to see a more balanced offense, so I see Orji throwing it a few more times on Saturday.

2. Kalel Mullings goes for 125-plus on the ground

Mullings has scored over 150 points in back-to-back games and has shown enough to prove he has the lead at this point. Michigan, while I think it will throw a few more plays, wants to run the football and assert its dominance in the trenches. There’s no reason to move away from Mullings on Saturday – especially against a team that had Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson running for 200 yards and three scores last weekend. I’m looking for Mullings to get some long runs in and have another great day.

1. Michigan surpasses 275 rushing yards for the third straight game

The Wolverines scored 301 against Arkansas State and 290 against USC, and there’s no doubt they’ll lean heavily on the run game again this weekend. In their loss to Iowa, despite the Hawkeyes limitations at quarterback, Minnesota allowed 272 rushing yards. That bodes well for Michigan tailback Kalel Mullings, who has been performing excellently so far this season. It will be another ground-and-pound afternoon for the Wolverines.

2. Donovan Edwards scores two touchdowns

While Mullings has earned the right to be Michigan’s leading defender, I sense there is a big game ahead for Donovan Edwards. I was tempted to predict Edwards would lead the Wolverines in rushing this week, but I really believe Mullings will get more carries overall and it’s hard to pick against him after the way he has been this season played. However, I think Edwards can find success in relieving Mullings, and maybe he’ll get loose a few times when he comes in with fresh legs.

The safest bet is that Michigan takes the winning formula it used against USC last weekend and applies it to Minnesota this weekend: Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball. The tandem of Mullings and Edwards will continue to be productive, and I’m just not sure Minnesota will be able to handle it for the full four quarters. Add in a stingy defense that is great against the run and can make life very difficult for an opposing QB, and I think the Wolverines win comfortably here.

Score prediction: Michigan 27, Minnesota 13

After picking USC to win last weekend, I’m back on board with the Wolverines. I don’t think Minnesota is a bad team, but I don’t think the Gophers should be a team that goes into the Big House and upsets the Wolverines. Michigan’s run game and defense are both playing much better and look what Iowa did against Minnesota last weekend. Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson ran for more than 200 yards and three scores against the Gophers. Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards could have big games in store. I don’t think Minnesota’s offense is doing anything exciting that should confuse Michigan on defense. The one big question going into this game is: what will the Wolverines’ passing game look like?

Score prediction: Michigan 24, Minnesota 10

The over-under for this game is set at a low total of 35.5 points, and I still think that’s too high. This game features two of the worst offenses in college football, and both defenses will have the advantage. That said, Michigan is the more talented and better team. The Wolverines have a blueprint to follow after Iowa ran for 272 rushing yards on the Gophers last week, and we’ll see a similar plan for UM. That said, I expect another quiet day from quarterback Alex Orji and the passing game. Field position and turnover are an important part of this.

Score prediction: Michigan 20, Minnesota 10

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