Michigan football will host Minnesota tonight for the Little Brown Jug, here’s why Brandon Peters is the key to victory.
When you think of Michigan football rivals, the Minnesota Golden Gophers aren’t really a team that comes to mind. But the two schools have met 102 times and started their rivalry back in 1892.
Related Story: Bold predictions for Michigan vs Minnesota
Over the years, Michigan football has dominated the rivalry. The Wolverines are 74-25-3 all time. At one point, they went 17 years, from 1987-2004, without a loss to Minnesota.
Yet, the Gophers are under new leadership in P.J. Fleck and he will try to get the Little Brown Jug back in his first year at the helm. It will also be Minnesota’s first visit to the Big House, since its 30-14 win back in 2014.
Of course, the last meeting between Michigan and Minnesota is hard to forget. The Wolverines registered a goal-line stand on the game’s final play to win by three.
Like that game, tonight’s showdown in the Big House has a chance to be a hard-fought game. Both teams have mediocre offenses and strong defenses. Michigan football averages 26.4 points per game, Minnesota is at 25.1. Yet, defensively, Michigan allows 18.0 and the Gophers give up 18.8.
Both teams are also effective running the football. The Wolverines are third in the Big Ten at 193 yards per game, while the Gophers are fourth with 182. Michigan is tied with Wisconsin for the most sacks in the Big Ten at 27. Minnesota leads the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed at eight.
Michigan is the more talented team. It’s why they are 15.5-point favorites, but the Gophers and Wolverines are very similar. Ultimately, the big difference could come down to quarterback play.
The Wolverines certainly want to be able to run the football and they should be able to. But if might be tough sledding. Brandon Peters will have to do a lot of the leg work. Unless Jim Harbaugh wants this to be a 14-10 type game, he needs to let Peters throw the ball.
Michigan has young receivers, but in Grant Perry, Eddie McDoom, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Kekoa Crawford (if healthy) and Nico Collins, they have guys that can play. The tight ends are good too.
The point is, the Wolverines have the talent to exploit the Gophers pass defense, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten at 184 yards per game. Essentially, if you want to talk about the key to winning, look at Peters.
Michigan Wolverines Football
Certainly, the Michigan defense will have a say. But seeing as the Gophers have one of the worst pass offenses in the Big Ten and UM allows just 104 a game on the ground, I don’t see Minnesota lighting up the scoreboard.
But I don’t see Michigan football running all over Minnesota either. Karan Higdon will break some big runs and I have a feeling Kareem Walker might too. But Michigan will need to throw to move the chains and ultimately, win the game.
So Peters needs to play well, he also needs to take care of the football. The Gophers are good in the turnover game. They have eight interceptions and a turnover margin of +5, compared to Michigan’s, which sits at -4.
It’s obvious, but winning the turnover battle will be key. Yet, again, Peters will be a huge part of that. He took care of the ball against Rutgers and will need to do so against the Gophers as well.
John O’Korn couldn’t take care of the football and that was his downfall. It was also the reason Michigan football lost to Michigan State.
If Peters plays well, Michigan should win. If he struggles, if he turns it over, we could see a defensive struggle that’s decided by a play or two in the fourth quarter.
Next: Top 10 Michigan Running Backs of All Time
Michigan and Minnesota have played some exciting and memorable games over the years, we will see if tonight’s is another one. Either way, we will come away knowing more about Peters.