The Wolverine Now

cessful in the Big Ten," GopherIllustrated. com staff writer Lucas Trickle said. "They are able to bully teams like San Jose State or Eastern Illinois running the ball with David Cobb — and he's a good running back — but at the same time, they're going to have to find some balance to help David out. "There's no way — even with Michigan struggling — that Minnesota can com- plete less than 50 percent of 20-25 passes and find much success in Big Ten play. Es- tablishing somewhat of a passing game is going to be key against Michigan, just to keep the defense honest." What: Minnesota at Michigan When: Sept. 27 • 3:30 p.m. ET Radio-TV: ABC/ESPN2 will televise the game nationally. The game can be heard on the Michigan Sports Network (950 AM in the Detroit area, as well as the Armed Services Radio, Sirius chan- nel 119 and XM channel 195) with for- mer U-M teammates Dan Dierdorf and Jim Brandstatter, and sideline reporter Doug Karsch. Coaches: Michigan: Brady Hoke (28- 15, fourth season). Minnesota: Jerry Kill (20-22, fourth season). History: U-M leads 73-24-3 and re- corded a 42-13 win in Ann Arbor last year. Minnesota notes: The Golden Go- phers have beaten the Wolverines just twice since 1978, but both wins came in Ann Arbor (1986 and 2005) … The Go- phers won four Big Ten games in a row last season for the first time since 1973 … Minnesota's record last year (8-5, in- cluding 4-4 in the Big Ten) marked its most overall and conference wins since 2003 … The Gophers enter the game tied for 20th in average turnover mar- gin at plus-one per game, and their 13 turnovers gained is tied for second na- tionally … Meanwhile the Wolverines enter the game ranked last nationally in turnover margin (minus-10), and they are second worst in both giveaways (12) and takeaways (two) … In addi- tion to No. 1 running back David Cobb, the Minnesota backfield boasts fifth- year bruiser Donnell Kirkwood, who has more than 1,400 career rushing yards; 247-pound junior Rodrick Williams, who boasts 628 career yards; and speedy redshirt freshman Berkley Edwards, who is the younger brother of former U-M star Braylon Edwards and ranks third on the team this year with 92 rushing yards and a pair of scores … Kirkwood and Williams have just 20 rushes for 59 yards and a score on the season … The winner between Michigan and Minne- sota's annual matchup earns the Little Brown Jug, the nation's oldest Football Bowl Subdivision game trophy, which has been around since 1909. GAME FACTS

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