The Battle for the Brown Jug #2015Edition
OK it's time to put "The Horror" behind us. For the last two weeks, Michigan fans have been inundated with replays of Jalen Watts-Jackson scooping up the loose football and running into the North Endzone to steal the win from Michigan. Enough.
It's over...time to move on.
This week, Michigan travels to face Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug. The LBJ is one of the more underrated rivalry trophies in college football, and also namesake to one of the best bars in Ann Arbor.
(Photo Courtesy of MaizeandBlueNews.com)
Last year, Minnesota marched into Michigan Stadium and reclaimed the Brown Jug for the first time in seven (7) years. Minnesota was expected to contend for the Big Ten West this year, but come into this game a t 4-3 and two-touchdown underdog at home.
Michigan is looking to rebound from The Horror and gain bowl eligibility with a win on Halloween night. Night games on the road are always unpredictable, and with the announcement this week that Golden Gophers' head coach Jerry Kill was resigning effective immediately, the uncertainty is even more compounded (see USC's home victory under interim head coach Clay Helton against Utah). But perhaps the biggest question is whether Michigan will allow the loss to MSU to linger or if they will rebound from it. Most are expecting Jim Harbaugh to ready his players and have them prepared for the Golden Gophers with no thought being paid to the Spartans.
Against Michigan State, the Wolverines defense continued its exceptional play. The running game struggled (both teams' running attack faltered) and hopefully the extended break will help to get Smith back to full strength. QB Jake Rudock will have to improve from his average performances of the last few weeks. Michigan had opportunities to deliver a knockout punch to Michigan State had Rudock's throws been on the mark - they weren't.
In the end, Michigan should come out hungry and ready to make a statement. I expect the Wolverines to put points on the board and the defense to feast.
Prediction
Michigan: 31
Minnesota: 7
It's over...time to move on.
This week, Michigan travels to face Minnesota for the Little Brown Jug. The LBJ is one of the more underrated rivalry trophies in college football, and also namesake to one of the best bars in Ann Arbor.
(Photo Courtesy of MaizeandBlueNews.com)
Last year, Minnesota marched into Michigan Stadium and reclaimed the Brown Jug for the first time in seven (7) years. Minnesota was expected to contend for the Big Ten West this year, but come into this game a t 4-3 and two-touchdown underdog at home.
Michigan is looking to rebound from The Horror and gain bowl eligibility with a win on Halloween night. Night games on the road are always unpredictable, and with the announcement this week that Golden Gophers' head coach Jerry Kill was resigning effective immediately, the uncertainty is even more compounded (see USC's home victory under interim head coach Clay Helton against Utah). But perhaps the biggest question is whether Michigan will allow the loss to MSU to linger or if they will rebound from it. Most are expecting Jim Harbaugh to ready his players and have them prepared for the Golden Gophers with no thought being paid to the Spartans.
Against Michigan State, the Wolverines defense continued its exceptional play. The running game struggled (both teams' running attack faltered) and hopefully the extended break will help to get Smith back to full strength. QB Jake Rudock will have to improve from his average performances of the last few weeks. Michigan had opportunities to deliver a knockout punch to Michigan State had Rudock's throws been on the mark - they weren't.
In the end, Michigan should come out hungry and ready to make a statement. I expect the Wolverines to put points on the board and the defense to feast.
Prediction
Michigan: 31
Minnesota: 7
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