The Big Ten schedule makers didn’t do Michigan any favors. The Wolverines, who play in the league’s tougher division, drew the West’s two best teams: Wisconsin and, on Saturday to open the season, Minnesota on the road.
Kickoff is set for 7:44 p.m. ET (on ABC) in what should be a competitive matchup between two ranked teams.
Here’s what to look for on Saturday.
Michigan offense vs. Minnesota defense
All eyes will be on No. 5 in white, as quarterback Joe Milton is expected to make his first start for Michigan.*
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck raved about Milton in his press conference this week, despite Milton throwing all of 11 passes in his college career.
“Anybody who looks at Milton knows what type of special talent he is,” Fleck said. “He’s a once-in-a-decade type talent that comes through the program when you’re talking about his skill set. He can throw the ball far, he can run, he’s big, he’s strong.”
Fleck said he and his coaching staff have scoured film from Milton’s high school days to get a better sense of what they’ll face on Saturday.
While Michigan will have a new quarterback, the guy calling the plays remains the same. Josh Gattis enters his second year as offensive coordinator, bringing stability to a role that has seen plenty of changes under Jim Harbaugh.
The Wolverines will face a Minnesota defense that finished 10th in the country in yards per game allowed last season but lost seven of its top eight tacklers. Fleck cited his defense’s youth and inexperience, though he should be able to count on cornerback Benjamin St. Juste, a returning starter who began his career at Michigan.
(St. Juste appeared in 12 games, mostly on special teams, as a freshman in 2017, and redshirted in 2018 before transferring under somewhat messy circumstances.)
*Michigan has another No. 5, cornerback D.J. Turner. There figure to be some eyes on him as well, but not as many.
Minnesota offense vs. Michigan defense
Minnesota has a new offensive coordinator, Mike Sanford Jr., who spent last season in the same role at Utah State. (The Gophers’ previous OC left for Penn State.)
Michigan safety Brad Hawkins said the Wolverines have been watching film from last season not just of Minnesota but also of Utah State.
Sanford will oversee a talented group. The Big Ten handles its preseason honors in a strange way, recognizing five players from each division. Nevertheless, two Gophers made the cut: quarterback Tanner Morgan and wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
Morgan threw for more than 3,000 yards last season, with 30 touchdowns against seven interceptions. Bateman snagged 11 touchdowns and averaged 20 yards per catch, earning the league’s top receiver award.
“He’s so strong and can make so many strong, contested catches,” Harbaugh said. “A real alpha type of football player.”
Hawkins confirmed that redshirt sophomore Vincent Gray will draw Bateman on Saturday. Several Wolverines are expecting big things from Gray, including linebacker Josh Ross. “I’m so excited to see him take on this challenge vs. Minnesota and the great receiver they have,” Ross said.
To assist Michigan’s unproven secondary, it is important that the star defensive end combo of Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson put some pressure on the quarterback.
Fleck was effusive in his praise for Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown. “He’s very difficult to prepare for and he’s one of the best in the country for a reason,” Fleck said.
Minnesota’s offensive line is experienced and massive. If projected depth charts hold, a guy 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds would be the shortest and lightest among the starters.
Right tackle Daniel Faalele is 6-foot-9 and 400 pounds. Harbaugh, in an early frontrunner for understatement of the season, called Faalele “a very big human being.” Harbaugh noted he was “super athletic as well.” Faalele did get hurt last November, and it’s not clear if he will play on Saturday.
Michigan defensive lineman Carlo Kemp said in addition to Minnesota’s size up front, the Gophers are a cohesive unit.
Running behind that beefy line is Mohamed Ibrahim. As the No. 2 back last season, Ibrahim averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns. Fleck hopes he can handle a bigger load, especially with some questions behind him.
Special teams
Minnesota’s two kickers last season — Michael Lantz and Brock Walker — combined to make 11-of-15 field goals, though the long was just 40 yards. Seeking an upgrade at punter, Fleck snagged an Australian, Mark Crawford
Quinn Nordin and Jake Moody return for Michigan after sharing the kicking duties last year. Punter Will Hart is back as well.
More Michigan football content:
‘It’s finally here’: Michigan football thankful for an actual game, at Minnesota
Q&A with Minnesota beat writer: Who’s going to help WR Rashod Bateman?
Around the Big Ten: Penn State star RB could miss season
Michigan football has no COVID-positive players at start of Minnesota week
Out of The Muck, former rabbit chaser Joe Milton ascends to Michigan’s starting QB
Updated: Projecting Michigan football’s depth chart vs. Minnesota, 2.0
Michigan coach Ed Warinner has familiarity with P.J. Fleck, taking Minnesota ‘very seriously’
