<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=05PxEz_0vkeqNT900" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=05PxEz_0vkeqNT900" width="1210" height="806" ></figure><p>It’s been a roller coaster season for the Michigan Wolverines, and they’re trying to build on all the good things that happened during their upset win over USC. The Wolverines know there’s still room to improve and this weekend’s game against Minnesota gives them an opportunity. </p><p>We’ve seen a lot of improvement from Big Ten teams like Nebraska, Indiana, and Illinois, but for Minnesota, you can expect what we’ve seen in recent seasons. The P.J. Fleck-coached team plays hard but has struggled to win games against tougher competition. The Gophers are 2-2 on the season with wins over Nevada and New Hampshire and losses to Iowa and North Carolina.</p><p>While Minnesota transfer quarterback Max Brosmer found success at the FCS level, he’s having trouble finding a rhythm against most FBS opponents. Against Iowa, he threw for more than 200 yards but also got picked off two times. Minnesota had some success with short passes to the perimeter, trusting receivers to pick up yards. Michigan’s secondary and linebackers need to play well against that part of Minnesota’s game plan this weekend. Here are the other key matchups to keep an eye on.</p><h2>Michigan running backs vs. Minnesota run defense </h2><p>As you’d expect throughout the rest of the season, Michigan’s run game will be a major factor against Minnesota. Kalel Mullings is coming off a monster performance against USC, where he picked up 159 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Mullings averaged 9.4 yards per carry against the Trojans last Saturday. If Mullings gets to the next level, you’d expect him to be able to take at least one run to the house. </p><p>Donovan Edwards also picked up a touchdown on a big run for the Wolverines last weekend, and while he had fewer yards (74) and carries (14) than Mullings, he still averaged more than five yards each time he got the ball. If the offensive line can get him some openings, it wouldn’t be surprising for Edwards to pick up more than 100 yards in this one. </p><p>Edwards and Mullings could help Michigan get out to a big lead early. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson had 21 carries for 206 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota last weekend. Minnesota’s run defense looked good against Nevada and New Hampshire, but it allowed one of North Carolina’s running backs to pick up 129 yards in the season-opening loss. </p><p>Throw in Alex Orji and the fact he can also use his legs, and there’s no reason to think Michigan’s running back room can’t find success even if Minnesota loads the box. </p><h2>Evan Link vs. Minnesota pass rush</h2><p>This matchup has consequences for the rest of the season. Michigan doesn’t need to change its ways and become an air-raid offense, but you’d like to see them pick up more than 100 yards passing in a game with Alex Orji as the starter. To do that, Michigan needs Evan Link to improve on the right side of the line. Pro Football Focus gave him a 0.0 for his pass blocking against USC, that’s also what he got during the game against Texas. </p><p>Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Minnesota’s strongest players do pretty well when it comes to their pass rush. They picked up a sack and three tackles for loss against Iowa and held Cade McNamara to 11-of-19 with just 62 yards passing, despite losing the game. If you look at PFF, Minnesota also had six hurries and two hits on the quarterback that didn’t count as sacks. </p><p>Minnesota linebacker Cody Lindenberg had 10 total tackles against Iowa, including one sack and a tackle for loss. Defensive lineman Jalen Logan-Redding is another guy to watch for Minnesota, he can get to the quarterback. Finally, Jah Joyner is a name you’ll want to know when it comes to Minnesota’s pass rush, he’s got seven QB hurries, according to PFF, on the season. </p><p>This is another aspect of the game Michigan could use some help from its running backs trying to pick up blocks from the right side of the line. Link needs to step it up at this point in the season if they’re going to get any sort of passing game going. </p><h2>Michigan defensive line vs. QB Max Brosmer </h2><p>Max Brosmer might not be playing like the star he was when he played for New Hampshire, but he’s a very experienced player. Against Iowa, the Minnesota coaching staff had Brosmer throw 37 times, he completed 22 of those. Some were just short pass attempts, but he’s got an arm to take shots downfield if he has the time. The thing is, Michigan’s defensive line might not give him that option.</p><p>Josaiah Stewart, Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Derrick Moore reminded everyone in the country that this unit is still here and causing major disruptions in the backfield. The team had four sacks last weekend and while Derrick Moore didn’t record one of his own, he still had an 87.4 from Pro Football Focus because of his impact on the game. </p><p>Michigan might not pick up as many sacks against Minnesota as they did with USC just with how quickly Brosmer can get the ball out, but Michigan’s defensive line is also good at getting their hands up and making a play on the ball. If they can get to Brosmer early and often it’ll be tough for Minnesota. </p><p>Minnesota has a great running back in Darius Taylor, but he was out for the season opener with an injury. Through three games he’s only had 35 carries, and while he’s averaging more than six yards per carry, he only managed 34 yards on ten carries last week against Iowa. They need their passing game to function if they’re going to put points on the board.</p></div></body>

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Key Matchups: No. 12 Michigan vs. Minnesota

It’s been a roller coaster season for the Michigan Wolverines, and they’re trying to build on all the good things that happened during their upset win over USC. The Wolverines know there’s still room to improve and this weekend’s game against Minnesota gives them an opportunity.