Both Minnesota and Michigan are coming off bye weeks, and both had deflating losses before the bye: Minnesota in a home rout at the hands of Nebraska and Michigan in a last-second loss to Michigan State. That said, their season outlooks couldn’t be more different.
How to watch Michigan vs. Minnesota on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
Both teams are trying to bounce back after losses that led into bye weeks.
Minnesota is still over .500 at 4-3, but that could change in a hurry. The Gophers have been listless against anyone with a pulse, due to a very bad offense and a defense that hasn’t lived up to expectations, and they’ve now lost to TCU, been shut out by Northwestern and given up 48 points to Nebraska. The bad news? They are about to hit the meat of their schedule. First up is Michigan, with a defense that might hold the Gophers to negative yards, then consecutive night games at Ohio State and Iowa. Then the season ends with games against Illinois and Wisconsin. Minnesota will need to pull two upsets to even make a bowl game.
Michigan might be out of the College Football Playoff race with two losses, but the Wolverines are still one of the best teams in the country. They have an improving offense to go along with the one of the best defenses in the country, and they should be able to bounce back this week against the Gophers. But if it’s a low-scoring game, things could always get interesting.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 7 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Michigan is favored by 13.5 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Maize n Brew for Michigan fans and The Daily Gopher for Minnesota fans.
Three big things to know
1. Minnesota is an underdog, but it’s going to have to win one of these games it’s not favored to win. That upcoming stretch against Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa (not to mention Illinois and Wisconsin) is brutal.
2. Will Michigan respond after a heartbreaking loss to Michigan State? The Wolverines have had a whole bye week to do it.
3. Minnesota will face its toughest defensive test so far this season against Michigan. Can the Gophers move anywhere on offense? If Minnesota is to win, that unit needs to step up big-time.
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