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Michigan Football: 3 Minnesota Gophers to watch in the opener

By Jared Dettmer

Nov 23, 2019; Evanston, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck congratulates Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) after his touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2019; Evanston, IL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck congratulates Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) after his touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan Football takes on the Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday. Which 3 opposing players should you keep an eye on in this massive Week 1 tilt?

Michigan Football does not have the luxury of starting their season against a conference bottom dweller like many Big Ten contenders do.

Instead, the Wolverines get College Gameday on the road against an 11-win team that lost key contributors from a year ago on both sides of the football. However, P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers return one of the top QB-WR duos in the conference, as well as a number of others.

Let’s take a look at the 3 players Michigan Football will need to focus on to bring a win back to Ann Arbor.

WR Rashod Bateman

Minnesota lost Tyler Johnson, the 2019 leading receiver in the Big Ten, to the NFL Draft, but Bateman was only 99 yards behind him. Bateman also averaged nearly five yards more per reception than Johnson did so he is clearly a potent threat on the outside for the Gophers.

In previous years under Harbaugh, the Wolverines have had a true number one cornerback to take on the challenge of the opponent’s best receiving threat. Whether the Wolverines have that in 2020 remains to be seen and should be answered fairly quickly in their opening contest.

This is a huge individual matchup to watch in this game as Michigan’s ability to contain Bateman, whether that is Vincent Gray or bracketing him with a safety on top, will go a long way in determining which team comes out on top on Saturday.

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